Tuberculosis Laboratory Lead Analyst (22000DMQ)
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) seeks an experienced microbiologist to work in the Mycobacteriology Laboratory Section of the State Public Health Laboratory. The ideal candidate will have a background in Clinical Microbiology, specifically culture and identification of Mycobacteria species. Testing involves solid and liquid culture-based methods, microscopy, mass spectrometry, drug susceptibility testing, PCR, and whole genome sequence-based technologies.
The selected candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate with state partners in Epidemiology and the Massachusetts TB Control Program, as well as federal partners at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). You will work closely with the Laboratory Supervisors and Quality Assurance Division to ensure and maintain ongoing competency in all methods.
This position requires work in the BSL-3 laboratory.
Please note this is a Tuesday through Saturday position.
Duties and Responsibilities (these are a general summary and not all inclusive):
- Perform and review specimen accessioning, determination of accept/reject criteria, and initiate sample analysis using sound scientific practice and technical skills.
- Perform and review microbiological, immunological, and molecular biology test methods on human, animal, food, or environmental samples.
- Follow the quality management program requirements to ensure that all certification and accreditation requirements, including training and competency, are met.
- Communicate with submitters according to procedures regarding specimen collection, packaging, shipping, and transportation of specimens transported to the laboratory.
- Perform quality control activities including verification or validation, routine quality control, and proficiency testing, as assigned.
- Maintain laboratory equipment and report equipment problems according to procedures.
- Comply with agency policy regarding safety, security, and protection in the working environment in accordance with the laboratory’s procedures and policies for biological, chemical, and radiologic agents.
- Perform all laboratory work (e.g., testing procedures, safety protocols, quality assurance protocols) according to written standard operating procedures.
- Report results accurately and completely within the laboratory information management system(s).
Required Qualifications:
- Understanding of the concepts and theories of microbiology, immunology, and molecular biology.
- Knowledge of basic microbiological, immunological, and molecular biology techniques. These include knowledge of basic microbial culture techniques, biochemical tests, serology, Maldi-ToF mass spectrometry, whole genome sequencing methods, and nucleic acid-based detection assays.
- Experience in quality assurance practices (e.g., equipment maintenance, proficiency testing, method validation, staff competency, following standard operating procedures) specific to microbiology, immunological, and molecular biology test methods in a diagnostic setting.
- Ability to perform calculations, measurements and unit conversion calculations.
- Awareness of the principles and policies governing professional ethics and rules of conduct.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in Clinical Microbiology methods
- ASCP certification
- Knowledge and experience safely working within a biosafety cabinet
- Comprehension and experience safely working within a biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory
Working Conditions:
- Willingness to work under conditions of potential exposure to infectious agents.
- Willingness to sign a confidentiality statement upon hire.
- In the context of work in a BSL-3 environment the successful candidate must understand the following:
- Working conditions include potential exposure to infectious agents.
- Working prolonged periods in full personal protective equipment.
- Must complete OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire (29 CFR 1910.134 Appendix C), be evaluated, and determined able to wear a respirator before working in any BSL-3 laboratory.
About the Department of Public Health:
The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth.
We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities.
DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems.
More information can be found at: MA Department of Public Health
About the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences (BIDLS):
The DPH Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences (BIDLS), predominantly located in Jamaica Plain, provides public health response to infectious disease. These services include programmatic and epidemiologic response, as well as laboratory testing through the State Public Health Laboratory (SPHL).
Infectious disease response services address concerns of the general public as well as those disproportionately affected by infectious disease through a variety of risk factors. BIDLS administers ongoing disease reporting for over 90 reportable diseases in the state. Disease reporting review and follow-up with clinical providers and local boards of health is a central function of the bureau. Surveillance activity is complemented by an extensive contracted service system. These services are funded through state and federal resources and include prevention education, community outreach screening for infectious disease, immunization services, health service navigation, medical case management, insurance enrollment, housing assistance, and referral and linkage to infectious disease treatment.
The SPHL provides scientific expertise and capacity to identify infectious agents, chemical agents, and other toxins that cause human disease. The SPHL is an active partner in joint activities with other bureaus/agencies such as environmental health, food and drug, agriculture, disease prevention and health promotion programs, and public safety. The SPHL is a reference laboratory of the national Laboratory Response Network (LRN) and is a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Select Agent laboratory. SPHL staff work closely with laboratory and disease prevention programs at the CDC, and partners with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Pre-Hire Process:
A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori
Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.
Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.
If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form
For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #2.
Qualifications
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
Minimum Entrance Requirements:
Applicants must have (A) at least five (5) years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional or academic research experience in microbiology, molecular biology, or medical laboratory technology or equivalent scientific field, of which (B) at least one (1) year must be in a supervisory or leadership capacity, or (C), any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.
Based on assignment, applicants must meet related Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) requirements for High Complexity Testing.
Incumbents may be required to have a current and valid motor vehicle driver’s license at a class level specific to assignment.
Substitutions:
I. A Bachelor’s degree with a major in microbiology, molecular biology, biology or medical laboratory technology, or related scientific field, may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.
II. A Master’s degree with a major in microbiology, molecular microbiology, biology or medical laboratory technology or equivalent scientific field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.
III. A Doctoral degree with a major in microbiology, molecular biology, medical technology or related scientific field, may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
Executive Order #595: As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. Applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption.
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.
Official Title: Microbiologist III
Primary Location: United States-Massachusetts-Boston-305 South Street
Job: Science
Agency: Department of Public Health
Schedule: Full-time
Shift: Day
Job Posting: Dec 2, 2022, 4:49:06 PM
Number of Openings: 1
Salary: 71,556.94 - 105,009.06 Yearly
If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Winston Pierre Winston.Pierre@mass.gov - 8573197225
Bargaining Unit: 09-MOSES - Engineers/Scientists
Confidential: No
Hybrid Work Eligible: No