Water Sampling Technician - Louisville, Kentucky

Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Worksite: Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center – Zorn Avenue Campus
Employment Type: Part-Time / As-Needed

About the role

We are seeking a dependable and detail-oriented Water Sampling Technician to perform environmental and facility water sampling at a healthcare facility in Louisville, Kentucky. The technician will be responsible for collecting potable water, cooling-tower water, and sterile-processing water samples in accordance with established sampling procedures, quality-control requirements, and applicable Department of Veterans Affairs requirements. This is a part-time, field-based position with work scheduled around routine monthly and quarterly sampling events, as well as occasional emergent or corrective-action retesting.

Responsibilities

• Collect potable hot- and cold-water samples from designated locations throughout the facility
• Perform routine Legionella water sampling at assigned sample points
• Collect cooling-tower and chiller-system water samples as required
• Perform Critical Water and Utility Water sampling associated with sterile-processing systems
• Measure and accurately document field parameters such as:
  • Water temperature
  • Residual biocide/disinfectant levels
  • pH
• Follow established sampling procedures to prevent sample contamination and maintain sample integrity
• Properly label, preserve, package, and prepare samples for shipment to the designated laboratory
• Complete field sampling records, chain-of-custody documentation, and other required documentation accurately and completely
• Provide required field data to the designated facility representative at the time of sampling
• Coordinate access to sampling locations with facility personnel and the Contracting Officer's Representative or designated site representative
• Perform additional or emergency resampling when required following corrective actions or abnormal laboratory results
• Maintain sampling equipment and supplies in a clean, organized, and serviceable condition
• Follow all facility safety, security, parking, access, and conduct requirements
• Perform work in a professional manner while minimizing disruption to patients, employees, visitors, and normal healthcare operations

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Strong attention to detail and ability to accurately complete field documentation
• Ability to follow written sampling procedures, safety requirements, and quality-control protocols
• Ability to work independently in a healthcare and institutional environment
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Professional communication skills when interacting with facility personnel
• Ability to complete required training and competency evaluations before independently performing sampling activities
• Ability to maintain required sampling training and competency documentation throughout employment

Water Sampling Competency Requirements

Prior to assignment, technicians must demonstrate competency in areas applicable to the work, including:

• Understanding of Legionella and associated health risks
• Proper sampling techniques for hot- and cold-water systems
• Water systems associated with sterile processing
• Sample handling and recordkeeping
• Proper maintenance, cleaning, and disinfection practices associated with water systems
• Accurate collection and documentation of field measurements

Technician competency must be evaluated before beginning work and periodically thereafter as required by the project.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous environmental, industrial hygiene, water-quality, laboratory, healthcare, or field-sampling experience
• Previous experience collecting Legionella or microbiological water samples
• Familiarity with potable-water systems, cooling towers, or sterile-processing water systems
• Experience using pH meters, temperature meters, chlorine/disinfectant testing equipment, or similar field-testing instruments
• Familiarity with chain-of-custody and laboratory sample-shipping procedures
• Previous experience working at VA, federal, hospital, or other regulated healthcare facilities is a plus

Schedule

This position is expected to be part-time and scheduled based on sampling requirements. Routine work will generally occur Monday through Thursday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., excluding federal holidays. Sampling assignments may include monthly, quarterly, and seasonal visits. The technician must also have reasonable flexibility to support occasional emergent sampling or retesting assignments. Certain corrective-action retesting may need to be collected within approximately 48 hours of notification.

Physical Requirements

The technician must be able to:

• Walk throughout a large medical facility and associated mechanical areas
• Stand for extended periods while conducting sampling
• Bend, reach, and access plumbing fixtures and designated sampling locations
• Carry sampling containers, coolers, field-testing equipment, and related supplies
• Safely work around mechanical equipment and water-system infrastructure when required