Laboratory Scientist 2 - Newborn Screening (20013765)

What You'll Do

The Public Health Laboratory Newborn Screening program identifies newborn babies who may be at risk for some rare but serious health conditions. We are seeking a Laboratory Scientist 2 to perform high through-put testing for clinical samples. Using thorough knowledge, training, and judgment of high complexity testing techniques, you will measure analytes and other markers of disease in human newborns.

Duties

• Maintain a log (e.g., date of receipt, specimen number, subsequent results) of all specimens received.
• Ensure compliance and documentation for all quality control procedures, regulations, safety procedures, and testing protocols as established for the bureau and federal regulators.
• Perform quality control by conducting special and/or complex biochemistry, molecular genetics, cell biology testing, sample preparation methods, and analysis.
• Provide customer service by communicating explanations of basic methods, procedures, and test results to patients, physicians, local health departments (LHDs), and other government agencies, in accordance with agency regulations.
• Monitor and ensure operating efficiency of laboratory equipment, reagents, and assays by performing routine maintenance calibrations, troubleshooting repair, and diagnosing problems that require vendor support.
• Perform research and analysis and prepare written materials and reports.

Unusual Working Conditions

• Selected candidates must be vaccinated for Hepatitis-B and will be exposed to biofluids and tissue, sharps, caustic or toxic chemicals, and/or explosives.
• May work varying hours and must be able to provide own transportation.
• VACCINATED: Proof of Hepatitis-B vaccination due before first day of work (do NOT provide, until directed to do so).
• NOT VACCINATED: Qualified candidates NOT yet fully vaccinated for Hepatitis-B must be able & willing to receive the vaccination. We can provide it at no cost (post-hire) and temporarily limit your work duties to prevent exposure.

Minimum Qualifications

Positions in Department of Health must meet 1 of 5 options:

• Associate's degree in a medical technology from accredited college or university
• Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) certification
• Bachelor's degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science, or medical technology; and 12 mos. pertinent laboratory experience or training in the specialty or subspecialty in which the individual will be assigned.
• Education &/or training equivalent to 60 semester hours, or equivalent, that included 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses; and 18 mos. pertinent laboratory experience commensurate with job duties to be performed as outlined per approved position description on file.
• Education &/or training equivalent to 60 semester hours, or equivalent, that included 24 semester hours of science that included 6 semester hours of chemistry; and 6 semester hours of biology; and 12 semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology in any combination; and 18 mos. documented laboratory exp. in each specialty in which the individual performs high complexity testing.

OR Equivalent Of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment Noted Above.

Preferred Criteria

Applications of those who meet the minimum qualifications will be further evaluated against the following criteria:

• Graduate or advanced degree in a biological, chemical, natural, or physical science
• Experience with high complexity testing procedures (e.g., polymerase chain reaction, mass spectrometry, newborn screening)
• Experience operating high-throughput equipment and managing high-volume workflows under strict turnaround time (TAT)
• Experience performing and documenting quality control tests
• Experience maintaining equipment, inventory and/ or records
• Experience troubleshooting equipment/instruments for testing methods
• Experience working with a database system (e.g., lab information management system [LIMS], Access)
• Experience in data analysis to analyze large data sets
• Experience presenting lab findings regarding test results
• Experience creating technical reports using Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel)
• Experience training laboratory personnel

Job Skills

• Technical Skills: Laboratory, Research
• Professional Skills: Analyzation, Attention to Detail, Interpreting Data

Educational Transcript Requirements

Official educational transcripts are required for all post-high school educational accomplishments, coursework or degrees claimed on the application. Applicants will be required to submit an official transcript prior to receiving a formal offer of employment. Failure to provide transcripts within five (5) working days of being requested will cause the applicant to be eliminated from further consideration. Please note that a transcript is considered "official" only if it is an original copy from the educational institution and includes an institutional watermark, ink stamp or embossed stamp. Transcripts printed from the institution's website will not be accepted. ODH reserves the right to assess the academic credibility of an educational entity's award of a putative degree.

Schedule & Compensation

• Work Hours: Tues-Sat, 7A-5P
• Compensation: $28.76
• Schedule: Full-time
• Classified Indicator: Classified
• Union: OCSEA

About Us

Our mission at the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is advancing the health and well-being of all Ohioans. Our agency is committed to building a modern, vibrant public health system that creates the conditions where all Ohioans flourish. The ODH Public Health Laboratory assists the agency, local health departments, and clinicians across Ohio in disease outbreak investigations, public health emergencies, and identification of disease causes to aid in treatment and prevention. Our services include screening for diseases of public health interest, reference support for confirmation of low incidence infectious agents, laboratory investigation to determine epidemiological patterns, and oversight of the state's alcohol breath testing program.