Supervising Microbiologist (35 Hour) Office/On-Site #260731-8210HC-001

Join the State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH) as a Supervising Microbiologist and oversee pre-analytical and post-analytical processes within the Quality Assurance and Scientific Support Services Division at the CT State Public Health Laboratory.

About the role

This position ensures support staff are trained and competent in pre- and post-analytical procedures, including:

• Receipt, initial preparation, and routing of specimens and samples submitted to the laboratory
• Sterilization and cleaning of laboratory glassware
• Media preparation
• Infectious waste disposal
• Distribution of collection outfits to clinical facilities and local health departments

The role also involves communicating with hospital staff and other submitters regarding specimen-related issues.

Responsibilities

• Schedule, assign, oversee, and review the work of laboratory staff
• Provide staff training and assistance, including performance evaluations
• Determine priorities and plan unit work; establish and maintain unit procedures
• Develop or recommend policies and standards
• Act as liaison with other operating units, agencies, and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures
• Maintain quality control and safety programs, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations
• Ensure use of universal laboratory precautions by staff
• Conduct complex or specialized microbiological, biomedical, molecular, and biochemical analyses
• Maintain knowledge of current developments and changes in the field
• Evaluate new test procedures and review/approve final reports
• Utilize computers to operate and maintain instrumentation and report test results
• Ensure laboratory operations are within budget guidelines
• Participate in the development of proposals for grant monies
• Evaluate and certify state shellfish laboratories for FDA compliance
• May testify in court

Requirements

• Nine (9) years of experience in a public health or medical laboratory involving scientific work in microbiology, biochemistry, or molecular biology
• One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the working lead level in microbiology (for state employees, this is interpreted at the level of a Principal Microbiologist)
• College training in the natural sciences may substitute for experience (15 semester hours = ½ year of experience, up to 4 years for a Bachelor’s degree; a Master’s degree may substitute for 1 additional year of experience)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with laboratory accreditation/certification regulations (e.g., Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act and CAP)
• Experience developing, validating, and implementing new diagnostic tests and writing standard operating procedures in accordance with CLIA requirements
• Experience supervising, training, and evaluating professional and support staff, as well as communicating complex scientific methods
• Ability to prioritize workflow under multiple demands and time-critical activities, troubleshoot specimen-related issues
• Experience maintaining quality control and safety programs in compliance with regulations
• Experience with microbiological, biochemical, and/or chemical analytical methods and diagnostic techniques
• Experience writing grants and reporting elements for grant-supported activities

Special Requirements

• Incumbents in the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture Division must be certified as an Environmental Laboratory Director under Connecticut Public Health Code and the U.S. FDA National Shellfish Sanitation Program
• Must be willing to periodically undergo tests or immunizations for communicable diseases
• May be required to handle hazardous materials or work in environments with potential exposure to infectious agents

Skills

• Considerable knowledge of relevant agency policies, state/federal laws, and laboratory methods, equipment, and instrumentation
• Knowledge of biomedical sciences, microbiology, biochemistry, and public health disciplines (e.g., aquaculture, bacteriology, parasitology, virology)
• Familiarity with regulatory and accrediting body requirements, quality assurance, and statistical techniques
• Proficiency in microbiological, biochemical, and chemical analytical methods and diagnostic techniques
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
• Ability to interpret test results in the context of patient history and epidemiology
• Supervisory and leadership abilities

Benefits

• Professional growth and development opportunities
• Healthy work/life balance
• Comprehensive state employee benefits (visit the State Employee Benefits Overview page for details)

Schedule

• Location: 395 West St, Rocky Hill, CT
• Full-time, first shift (Monday–Friday)
• 35 hours per week