Microbiologist II

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Under the moderate supervision of the TB Clinical Group Manager, and with coordination with the Tuberculosis Diagnostics Team Leader,  performs moderately complex to complex microbiological tasks. Examines and interprets liquid and solid mycobacterial culture media, evaluates prior testing results, and determines course of action. Maintains patient and culture records. Performs microscopic examination of clinical specimens and culture isolates. Processes clinical specimens for the isolation of acid-fast bacilli (AFB- Mycobacterium tuberculosis and related bacteria) and fungal organisms. Harvests positive cultures and saponifies mycolic acids from samples for identification by mycolic acid high performance liquid chromatography. Maintains the necessary equipment, reagents, and supplies for testing. Conducts, evaluates, qualifies, and documents Team personnel training on technical and support tasks as assigned. Completes other duties as assigned. Duties performed with adherence to standard protocol but with limited use of scientific knowledge, initiative, and judgment. Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. Based on the work area, consistently complies with DSHS Laboratory, local, state and federal guidelines to ensure a safe functioning laboratory.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (EJF):

EJF 1. Examines and interprets liquid and solid mycobacterial culture media, evaluates prior testing results, and determines course of action. Determines organism morphology and isolates organism(s) from culture media and from mixed cultures; subcultures to appropriate media. Consults with the senior microbiologist and Team Leader regarding problem or unusual cultures. Duties performed on a rotational basis. (25%)

EJF 2. Under the technical guidance of the Team Leader, performs microscopic examination of clinical specimens and culture isolates. Stains, examines, interprets, and reports AFB from clinical specimens by direct fluorochrome smear microscopy based on AFB morphology, fluorescence, and quantity. When necessary, overstains the direct fluorochrome smear to examine the smear microscopically using the Kinyoun staining procedure. Performs microscopic examination and interpretation of organisms from culture media by Kinyoun stain. Trains others to perform the staining procedures. Duties performed on a rotational basis. (20%)

EJF 3. Under the technical guidance of the Team Leader, processes clinical specimens for the isolation of acid-fast bacilli (AFB - Mycobacterium tuberculosis and related bacteria) and fungal organisms. Decontaminates nonsterile specimens by NALC-sodium hydroxide method; concentrates specimens by centrifugation. Inoculates concentrated specimens to liquid and solid primary isolation media; prepares smears of concentrated specimens for staining while making no inoculation mistakes and having no evidence of cross-contamiation. Inoculates mycology specimens to primary isolation media. Trains others to perform these tests. Harvests positive cultures and saponifies mycolic acids for identification by mycolic acid high performance liquid chromatography. Duties performed on a rotational basis. (25%)

EJF 4. Maintains patient and sample records. Orders laboratory information system (LabWare) tests as needed for identification. Creates batches and completes appropriate log sheets by daily deadlines. Enters test results into LabWare by daily deadline. Trains others to perform demographics checks using LabWare demographic log or batch worksheets.  Communicates with internal and external customers, documents communications in phone and LabWare communication logs. (15%)

EJF 5. Maintains the necessary equipment, reagents, and supplies for testing. Completes appropriate log sheets by assigned deadlines. Performs quality control, quality assurance, equipment preventative maintenance and repair procedures; maintains written documentation of service and repairs performed as well as written and email documentation of work requests.  Trains others to perform support tasks. (10%)

EJF 6. Completes other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or continuity of operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. (5%)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Knowledge of medical bacteriology, mycobacteriology, and biochemistry. Knowledge of  laboratory safety, aseptic technique, and handling of pathogenic bacteria.  Knowledge of quality assurance and quality control functions.  Ability to complete tasks and meet deadlines without close supervision.  Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; follow written and verbal instructions.  Ability to manipulate specimens and cultures within a biological safety cabinet with speed, accuracy, and safety.  Ability to use various items of laboratory equipment, including use of a computer for word processing, spreadsheet and database analysis and results reporting. Ability to interact effectively with staff,  work independently, work in harmony with other team members, and follow standard operating procedures.  Skill in manipulating standard laboratory equipment with speed, accuracy and safety.  Skill to use brightfield, fluorescent, and dissecting microscope to examine slides and cultures.

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, OR REGISTRATION REQUIRED:

N/A

INITIAL SCREENING CRITERIA:

- Have earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution; or

- Have earned an associate’s degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science, or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution. 

- Experience and education may be substituted as defined by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA ’88) Standards.

- Experience performing mycobacterial testing. (preferred)

- Experience manipulating standard laboratory equipment including biological safety cabinets (BSCs) (preferred)

- Experience using brightfield and fluorescence microscopes. (preferred)

- Experience with laboratory safety, asepctic technique and handling of pathogenic bacteria. (preferred)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The Ishihara color vision test will be given to all applicants who receive an interview. 

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.  Download the I-9 form