Remote Certifying Scientist (M-F 7:00AM-3:30PM)

Description

The Remote Certifying Scientist will support the on-site Confirmation team in Newport, KY. This role involves quantitation of MS data, final review of patient data and reports, and interaction with clients for report issues.

Essential Functions

• Communicate with on-site team and Supervisor through electronic methods (email, instant messaging, shared documents, etc.)
• Final review and certification of patient reports following established protocols – specifically for urine and oral fluid testing – utilizing and reporting point of care testing, EIA screening, and LC-MS/MS confirmation testing results
• Transcribe data from first review onto final review list
• Review reports individually, checking for completion of all demographic information, all ordered tests, and that results correspond to established norms
• Identify and confirm prescribed medication vs. inconsistent reports – either due to the presence of non-prescribed medications or illicit drugs
• Add comments to reports as needed
• Document completed reports and items for further review
• Collaborate and communicate with other departments to maintain the highest quality standards for testing procedures
• If needed, assist with answering incoming phone calls to the Confirmation department from customers, including questions regarding basic toxicology, basic drug metabolism, assistance with report issues, and sending reports
• Complete internal and external rerun requests
• Final review of internal rerun requests
• Review calibration and quality control data for each batch of patient samples
• Perform data analysis on patient samples for multiple analytes using mass spec software programs
• Utilize established protocols to confirm retention time, precursor and product ions, and qualifier ions are within established ranges for peak qualification and note any discrepancies
• Identify patient samples requiring reinjections or re-extractions following established protocols
• Program reinjections to run on the mass spec instruments
• Document data analysis completed and items for further review
• Transmit completed data analysis to the Laboratory Information System (LIS)
• Absorb and complete proficiency testing, monitor daily controls, and be responsible for operating within the established quality controls parameters; including the recognition of invalid data and bringing all errors to the supervisor’s attention
• Complete updated reports as needed
• Ensure adherence to all regulatory requirements

Other Duties As Assigned

• Assist in method development, validation or research with Technical Supervision preferred
• Able and willing to follow established protocols employing acceptable forensic standards of analysis and the use of judgment in searching for solutions or new applications within one’s own experience
• Must be able to work with limited supervision where the work assignments are subject to established procedures, practices, precedents, methods, techniques, standards, and/or well-defined policies
• Participate in ongoing training and continuing education courses related to drug metabolism, toxicology, and LC-MS/MS systems
• Promote a collaborative and entrepreneurial environment

Requirements

• Professional Requirements:
  • Regular and prompt attendance
  • An advanced understanding of drug metabolism, toxicology, forensic testing, P450 enzymes, or testing principles specifically related to urine and oral fluid metabolism
  • An advanced understanding of LC-MS/MS systems and data interpretation
  • A high level of attention to detail
  • Proficient in operating complex laboratory instrumentation and computers with scientific software
  • Able and willing to participate in method development, validation or research with Technical Supervision preferred
  • Able and willing to follow established protocols employing acceptable forensic standards of analysis and the use of judgment in searching for solutions or new applications within one’s own experience
  • Must be able to work with limited supervision where the work assignments are subject to established procedures, practices, precedents, methods, techniques, standards, and/or well-defined policies
  • Participate in ongoing training and continuing education courses related to drug metabolism, toxicology, and LC-MS/MS systems
  • Promote a collaborative and entrepreneurial environment
• Education and Experience Requirements:
  • Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology, Biology, or similar analytical science field with at least 2 years of LC-MS/MS data analysis experience
  • Experience with toxicology (drug testing) chromatographic data analysis for patient specimens
  • Experience with toxicology (drug testing) certifying for patient lab reports
  • Preference for candidates with familiarity with LC-MS/MS instruments (other experience in instrumental analysis of HPLC or LC-MS/MS of drugs in biological tissues may be acceptable)
  • Preference for candidates with familiarity with Agilent MS and LC systems – specifically MassHunter Acquisition and Quantitation programs
  • Previous work with bodily fluids – such as urine and oral fluid is preferred
• Knowledge, Skills And Abilities:
  • Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing
  • Ability to coordinate laboratory functions and represent the toxicology laboratory professionally
  • Excellent time management, documentation, and organizational skills
  • Demonstrated troubleshooting abilities
  • Ability to plan and organize his/her work
  • To function independently and in a team environment
  • To listen, learn, and promote accountability and responsibility related to all processes
• Physical Requirements:
  • Position requires sitting, walking, reaching, bending, stooping, and handling objects with hands and/or fingers, talking and/or hearing, and seeing