NBS Laboratory Technologist.

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado.

About Us

At The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) we are dedicated to the Colorado for All philosophy - working toward a Colorado where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We support the basic human rights of our neighbors regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, education level, disability, socio-economic status, or any other visible or invisible identity. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we strongly encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.

About the Role

This position will be onsite and required to report to the office located at: 8100 E Lowry Blvd, Denver, CO 80230.

The Colorado Newborn Screening Program (CONBSP) within the Colorado State Public Health Lab (CSPHL) exists to comply with state law that all newborns in Colorado are screened for the following conditions: Phenylketonuria, Congenital Hypothyroidism, Hemoglobinopathies, Galactosemia, Cystic Fibrosis, Biotinidase Deficiency, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Amino Acidemias, Organic Acidemias, Fatty Acid Oxidation disorders, Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Pompe disease, Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I, X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy, Congenital Cytomegalovirus, Guanidinoacetate Methyltransferase Deficiency, and other conditions determined by the Colorado Board of Health. The role aims to prevent or reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with these diseases and ensure that families of affected newborns receive proper follow-up and education for these disorders.

This position aids with the pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic components of clinical testing of dried blood spot (DBS) samples within CONBSP.

Responsibilities

• Perform analytical testing to identify newborns at risk for various conditions as listed above, adhering to all laboratory SOPs and safety requirements.
• Demonstrate documentable competency in the performance of analytical functions for every clinical method in CONBSP and participate in the lab’s proficiency testing and reporting.
• Perform testing of samples on assigned bench daily, maintaining all paperwork and QA/QC logs associated with the bench.
• Operate, calibrate, and maintain equipment used in quantitative and qualitative analysis of specimens, verifying equipment functionality and documenting maintenance performed.
• Report equipment issues to supervisors and contact vendors for preventative maintenance or repair.
• Maintain inventory of testing reagents and materials for both specific bench assignment and the overall NBS program.
• Follow safety protocols and SOPs for setting up, cleaning, decontaminating, and maintaining laboratory equipment and work surfaces.
• Receive all incoming newborn screening (NBS) samples, perform quality checks, and handle samples according to established SOPs with limited supervision.
• Sort specimens by type (first, second, or supplemental screen) and check for demographic completion and sample suitability for testing.
• Complete routine data entry and traceability tasks, including date stamping and labeling of received samples.
• Refer possible unsatisfactory specimens to a program scientist or supervisor for further review.
• Operate sub-sample distribution instrumentation (punching stations) according to SOP for production plate preparation.
• Engage with CONBSP laboratory and administrative staff, as well as internal sections, to ensure the CONBSP operates six days a week and maintains established testing turnaround times.
• Aid with the dissemination of patient reports to authorized recipients, including faxing and/or mailing reports and fielding phone calls from clients and sample submitters.

Requirements

• Two (2) years of high-complexity clinical lab experience or a combination of related education in Chemistry, Biology, a Clinical or Medical Laboratory Science, or Medical Technology and/or relevant experience in a high-complexity clinical lab totaling two (2) years.
• Must be a resident of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.
• Must adhere to CLIA regulations, including educational requirements.
• Must be available in the event of an emergency (e.g., bio-terrorist attack, chemical attack, disease outbreak) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location.
• Must be available in the event of the activation of the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location.
• Must be able to distinguish between colors for a colorimetric assay review.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience performing analytical testing on clinical samples.
• Knowledge of laboratory testing procedures and instrumentation.
• Knowledge of laboratory quality assurance and control practices.
• Familiarity with newborn screening.
• Equipment maintenance skills (performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining maintenance needs).
• Operation monitoring skills (watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to ensure proper machine function).
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing with a wide range of customers.
• Knowledge of spreadsheet, database, and word processing applications.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent planning and organizing skills.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Experience operating analytical and top-loading balances.
• Experience operating and calibrating analytical gravimetric instrumentation and equipment utilizing current method, instrument, or equipment standard operating procedures.
• Conducts instrument and equipment routine calibration and maintenance following standard operating procedures.
• Ensures laboratory is properly cleaned and staged for analyses before and after procedures.
• Maintains required documentation related to sample weighing batches and completes final reporting.

Benefits

• Free parking and access to RTD bus lines.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Retirement options (PERA options), including Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans.
• Medical and dental health plans.
• Paid life insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• 11 paid holidays per year and generous personal time off.
• Tuition assistance.
• Wellness programs.
• Professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects.
• Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system.
• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.