Microbiologist II - III

About the role

The Microbiologist II-III position at Element's North Liberty, IA location is responsible for performing moderate to highly complex laboratory testing and analysis on bacterial and fungal isolates. This role involves identifying organisms using MALDI-TOF and biochemical tests, preparing and interpreting MIC results, and participating in various clinical trial and drug development protocols.

Responsibilities

• Processes incoming bacterial and fungal isolates following safety guidelines and using required PPE, selecting and labeling appropriate media and properly streaking for isolation.
• Affirms isolates using professional judgment, knowledge of organism characteristics, MALDI-TOF and biochemical tests to properly identify organisms prior to banking.
• Performs MALDI-TOF isolate identifications and interprets results.
• Pulls frozen isolates from the bank for SENTRY, drug development protocol testing, and clinical trials.
• Prepares for susceptibility runs by performing purity checks, removing MIC panels from freezers, labeling of panels and tubes, and loosening caps on media tubes.
• Participates in all aspects of MIC testing including subbing isolates, preparing inoculums, pipetting, and running inoculating instruments.
• Interprets MICs results from broth microdilution, agar dilution, disk diffusion and Etest® methodologies.
• Observes and ensures coworkers are following safety guidelines and brings issues to the safety committee, as necessary.
• Participates on the clinical trial team or alternatively, is a member of the fungal team and is deemed proficient in two or more areas (fungal processing, yeast or mould susceptibility testing, etc.), as dictated by business needs.
• Performs highly complex quantitative and qualitative analysis on microbiological clinical trial and/or research isolates.
• Participates in new drug development protocols and/or clinical trial protocols which includes an array of susceptibility testing techniques such as broth microdilution + disks and/or Etest®, agar dilution, time-kills, PAEs.
• Follows GCP and CLIA regulations and guidelines for processing of clinical trial isolates, including chain of custody procedures.
• Monitors QC within the laboratory and implements effective corrective action. Investigates and resolves problems related to testing procedures.
• Serves as a subject matter expert in two or more areas in the laboratory, as deemed appropriate by managers.
• Supplies a reliable source of information and leadership to coworkers.
• Provides technical direction and oversight to Microbiologists for complex testing and analysis of microbiological isolates.
• Participates in training of Laboratory Assistants and Microbiologists on testing techniques and result interpretation, as requested by Lab Coordinator or Laboratory Manager.
• Aids in writing, revising and implementing of laboratory procedures according to CLSI and regulatory guidelines.
• Looks for ways to enhance operational efficiencies, increase productivity and decrease costs.
• Demonstrates professional development.
• Demonstrates strong communication skills and communicates appropriately and effectively to coworkers and management.
• Communicates effectively with vendors and service providers, as needed.
• Coordinates testing for multiple protocols simultaneously without compromising quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a laboratory science field from an accredited college or university or an equivalent combination of EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE is required.
• Certification by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists or National Certifying Agency is desirable.
• Previous experience conducting antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacteria and fungi (yeasts and molds) using broth microdilution, agar dilution, and disk/test strips is preferred.
• Familiarity with organism morphology (bacteria and/or fungi), 3-5 years of clinical laboratory work in a microbiology laboratory, and experience with MALDI-TOF for organism identification is required.

Skills

• Good communication and organizational skills.
• Works well in a team environment.