Laboratory Technician - Drug & Alcohol Testing Program

Position Summary

This is technical laboratory work in the performance of a variety of standardized laboratory tests. Work may involve administering screening tests on demand. An employee in this class performs a variety of standardized analytical tests and examinations to determine the chemical, physical, or biological nature of laboratory specimens. Work involves utilizing standardized analytical chemical, biological, or physical testing procedures in the examination and analysis of laboratory samples. Work is reviewed by a professional superior upon completion and during progress for adherence to prescribed procedures and for the technical accuracy of results.

About the Role

Overview

Fringe Benefits

• Paid holidays, personal days, vacation and sick leave benefits
• Medical coverage and dental benefits
• A retirement plan
• Life insurance and a deferred compensation plan after eligibility requirements have been met

Perks

• Professional growth through training opportunities (CPR, First AID, Public Health Preparedness, Dignity and Respect, Points of Dispensing, and more)
• Ability to advance in county system
• Job security
• Meaningfulness in daily work derived from public service
• Eligible for federal loan forgiveness
• Organizational commitment to ACHD’s mission to protect, promote, and preserve the health and well-being of all Allegheny County residents, particularly the most vulnerable

Responsibilities

Duties

• Applying ethical principals in accessing, collecting, analyzing, using, maintaining, and disseminating data and information about clinical specimens and results
• Assisting in the preparation of written technical and operational procedures and corrective action reports
• Adhering to the laboratory’s established corrective action policies and procedures whenever test systems are not within the laboratory’s established levels of acceptable performance, including documentation of all corrective actions taken
• Maintaining records of test results, quality control results, patient reports, proficiency testing reports, and written procedures
• Adhering to the laboratory’s quality control policies, including documentation of all quality control activities, instrument and procedural calibrations and maintenance functions
• Submitting urine specimens to a referral laboratory for confirmatory testing according to established laboratory procedures
• Utilizing standard laboratory techniques (e.g., media and reagent preparation, etc.) drug screening T-Cups, alcohol saliva test strip) to support the Health Department’s public health laboratory
• Communicating test results with linguistic and cultural proficiency to clients according to the laboratory’s established procedures
• Engage in best specimen receiving practices, following ACHD standardized protocols
• Preparing accurate records, both on paper and in a computerized database, including laboratory test results, control results, proficiency testing results, and corrective actions reports
• Filing of records and reports according to the laboratory’s established procedures
• Providing support at the main laboratory when assigned, including preparation of media and reagents, record keeping, etc.
• Participating in professional development opportunities and contributing to the continuous improvement of individual, program, and organizational performance
• Incorporating ethical standards of practice into all interactions with individuals, organizations, and communications
• Responding to public health emergencies

Requirements

Knowledge

• Of applicable Federal, State & Local Laws related to Labor Relations & Practices
• HIPAA Policy & Procedures
• Laboratory Skills
• Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Databases
• Data Entry
• Report Writing
• Interpersonal Communication
• Public Health Documentation
• Laboratory Equipment

Skill

• In Microsoft Office programs including Access, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel and other database programs

Ability

• To perform assigned tasks according to exactly prescribed procedures, and to make accurate and precise observations of test results
• To prepare accurate records of laboratory results
• Sufficiently view (strong eyesight) and analyze extended microscopic work and normal color perception
• To respond to Public Health emergencies
• To report to multiple laboratory facilities as required by laboratory leadership

Qualifications

Residency

All Allegheny County within 1 year.

Veterans' Preference

Will be awarded to eligible candidates.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - M/F/V/D