PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY SCIENTIST 2 - 12242024-64118

Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, LABORATORY SERVICES DIVISION, DAVIDSON COUNTY

This position will be housed within the Newborn Screening section of the Laboratory

For more information, visit the link below:

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/program-areas/lab/career-page/PH_Lab_Scientist_2_Chemistry.pdf

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in physical sciences (e.g. chemistry), ecology, life sciences (e.g. biology, microbiology, biochemistry or biophysics), medical laboratory science, pre-medicine, or other acceptable science, and one year of full-time professional work in the related field.

Substitution of Education for Experience: Graduate course work received from an accredited college or university in a related field may substitute for the required experience on a year-to-year basis to a maximum of one year (e.g. 24 graduate semester hours or 36 graduate quarter hours in a related field may substitute for one year of the required experience).

OR

Successful completion of an accredited, 4 year medical laboratory scientist program and one year of full-time professional work in the related field.

OR

Completion of an accredited 2 year medical laboratory technician program and one year of full-time professional work in the related field.

A transcript with ALL credits is required to be uploaded with an employment application in order that the agency is able to properly evaluate a candidate's eligibility for a position in this classification.

Necessary Special Qualifications: Applicants for this class must:

A PH Lab Scientist 2 performing Clinical duties the major portion of their time must:

• Have graduated from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in life sciences (e.g. biology, microbiology or biochemistry), Medical laboratory science, pre-medicine, or other acceptable science OR successful completion of an accredited 4 year medical laboratory scientist program OR successful completion of an accredited 2 year medical laboratory technician.

OR

• Meet CLIA Testing Personnel Qualification Category set forth in federal CMS regulations 42 CFR, 493.1489.

Note: Licensure as a Medical Laboratory Technologist or Medical Laboratory Technician is no longer required (4/2018), but is preferred. Licensure as a Medical Laboratory Technologist, Medical Laboratory Technician, Medical Laboratory Supervisor or Medical Laboratory Director subsumes the PH Laboratory Scientist 2 level and, therefore, also qualifies for this job classification.

• A PH Lab Scientist 2 performing Chemist duties the major portion of their time must: Have graduated from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, including at least 32 credit hours in the following areas: (1) general chemistry, (2) organic chemistry, (3) quantitative analysis, (4) instrumental analysis and (5) physical chemistry.
• A PH Lab Scientist 2 performing Aquatic Biologist duties the major portion of their time must:? Have graduated from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree, including at least 32 credit hours in biology, in one of the following areas: (1) biology or biological sciences, (2) botanical sciences, (3) environmental or conservation sciences, (4) zoological sciences, or (5) aquatic, terrestrial, or wetland biology or ecology or other acceptable biological science related field.? Must possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator's license throughout the duration of employment.

Examination Method: Education and Experience, 100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Overview

Summary: Under immediate supervision, is responsible for routine laboratory work of moderate difficulty as it relates to chemistry, aquatic biology, microbiological, and/or molecular areas; and performs other tasks as required.

Distinguishing Features: This is a working level class in the Public Health Laboratory Scientist series. Duties may include first level troubleshooting, guidance to entry level staff and work of moderate difficulty. This class differs from Public Health Laboratory Scientist 1 in that an incumbent of the latter functions at the entry level. This class differs from the Public Health Scientist 3 in that an incumbent of the latter per forms work of moderate to complex difficulty and possesses a minimum of three years of laboratory experience.

Responsibilities

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work:

1. Performs analytical methods (i.e., tests) selected for the particular sample submitted.
2. Prioritizes and organizes tasks in order to complete them in an assigned timeframe while optimizing resources and taking into consideration factors such as performing tests based on number of samples submitted, time and resources required for tests, and priority of tests.
3. Performs tasks required to support laboratory functions such as preparing reagents, cleaning and maintaining equipment, and maintaining supply inventory.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings:

1. Monitors test processes for adherence to quality control standards by comparing test results to known standards such as using positive and negative controls and acceptable appearance of diagnostic product.
2. Prepares various types of specimens for examination by various diagnostic techniques.
3. Monitors test equipment for proper functioning such as monitoring temperature, detecting malfunction alarms and recognizing incorrectly processed samples.

Performing Administrative Activities:

1. Creates documents (e.g., logs, schedules, tally sheets, monthly reports) by utilizing computer.
2. Orders lab supplies and reagents using appropriate accounting codes.
3. Keeps accurate time sheets.
4. Prints labels for reagents.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards:

1. Uses relevant or appropriate guidelines to determine whether test results are acceptable based on laboratory established policies and procedures.
2. Works within established quality control guidelines.
3. Ensures confidentiality of client information in accordance with HIPAA.

Performing General Physical Activities:

1. Performs precise repetitive activities or motions during specimen processing or analysis.
2. May spend prolonged periods of time at a computer monitor, microscopes, etc. related to the performance of tests or procedures (i.e., visual activity).
3. Performs physical activities that involve use of hands, arms and legs to relocate and stock reagents, samples and supplies to testing areas weighing up to 50 pounds.
4. Bends, stoops, kneels, and reaches as necessary.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events:

1. Identify and initiate situations or circumstances with reagents and equipment for the purpose of troubleshooting.
2. Following standard operating procedures, maintains situational awareness and proficiency with biological and chemical hazards.
3. Corrects problems according to preset strategies or notifies a technologist or supervisor.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge:

1. Reviews information from manuals, work instructions, flowcharts and other reference sources to accurately analyze and report test results.
2. Remain current with regard to technical information and departmental procedures and policies.
3. Maintains continuing education for compliance with rules and regulations that govern the laboratory and licensure.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization:

1. Communicates results of tests to submitters in person, in writing, by telephone, fax or e-mail.
2. Communicates with vendors and manufacturers regarding performance issues, troubleshooting, etc.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources:

1. Monitors reagents and consumables to ensure an adequate supply for testing needs.
2. Rotates stock to minimize waste and expiration.

Getting Information:

1. Receive information on accession form and/or electronically to determine completeness.
2. Assists in gathering incomplete information by calling submitter to provide needed information such as date taken, tests needed and sample description.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems:

1. Analyzes information and evaluates results to determine the validity of test results.

Processing Information:

1. Compiles, calculates, and categorizes information or data for appropriateness of reporting.

Controlling Machines and Processes:

1. Operates laboratory equipment by following instruction manual and using control mechanisms such as power switches and control knobs.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information:

1. Prepares and checks specimens, solutions, reagents and other materials necessary for conducting tests.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment:

1. Performs preventative maintenance on laboratory equipment used in assigned area according to standard operating procedure.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People:

1. Assesses diagnostic samples for suitability for testing (e.g., quantity, sample preservation, contamination, proper transport conditions, and proper container).

Interacting With Computers:

1. Uses computers and laboratory information systems to process and access information, data and control instrumentation.

Documenting/Recording Information:

1. Documents, enters, transcribes, records, stores and maintains information in written and electronic form using notebooks, file copies, computer software, etc.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships:

1. Establishes and develops constructive and cooperative working relationships with all laboratory staff and maintains them over time.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates:

1. Communicates status of assigned tasks or other relevant information to supervisors or peers by telephone, in written form, e-mail or in person.

Competencies (KSA's)

Competencies:

1. Functional/Technical Competency
2. Problem Solving
3. Informing
4. Time Management
5. Action Oriented
6. Perseverance
7. Written Communications
8. Listening
9. Peer Relationships
10. Self-Knowledge

Knowledge:

1. Biology
2. Chemistry
3. Clerical
4. Customer and Personal Service
5. Mathematics

Skills:

1. Active Learning
2. Active Listening
3. Critical Thinking
4. Learning Strategies
5. Mathematics
6. Reading Comprehension
7. Science
8. Speaking
9. Writing
10. Coordination
11. Service Orientation
12. Complex Problem Solving
13. Equipment Maintenance
14. Operation and Control
15. Operations Monitoring
16. Quality Control Analysis
17. Repairing
18. Troubleshooting
19. Instructing

Abilities:

1. Category Flexibility
2. Deductive Reasoning
3. Flexibility of Closure
4. Inductive Reasoning
5. Mathematical Reasoning
6. Memorization
7. Number Facility
8. Oral Comprehension
9. Oral Expression
10. Perceptual Speed
11. Problem Sensitivity
12. Selective Attention
13. Spatial Orientation
14. Speed of Closure
15. Time Sharing
16. Written Comprehension
17. Written Expression
18. Arm-Hand Steadiness
19. Control Precision
20. Finger Dexterity
21. Manual Dexterity
22. Multi-limb Coordination
23. Rate Control
24. Reaction Time
25. Stamina
26. Auditory Attention
27. Depth Perception
28. Near Vision
29. Sound Localization
30. Speech Clarity
31. Speech Recognition
32. Visual Color Discrimination
33. Gross Body Coordination
34. Peripheral Vision

Tools & Equipment

1. Autoclaves
2. Balances
3. Biological Safety Cabinets
4. Calculators
5. Centrifuge
6. Chemistry Analyzers
7. Computers
8. Microbiology Analyzers
9. Microscopes
10. pH Meter
11. Pipette
12. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
13. Temperature Controlled Storage Equipment
14. Thermocyclers
15. Other laboratory equipment as required

TN Driver Standards

State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:

• A valid driver's license
• For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.

Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.

**Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.