Microbiologist

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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Brief Job Description:

Under minimal supervision of the Zoonotic Virology Group manager and under the technical guidance of the Rabies Identification Team Leader and using Biosafety Level 2/3 practices and procedures, plans and conducts advanced procedures to identify rabies in diagnostic specimens. Manages the progress of each specimen, ensuring that delays are avoided, and enters and validates results into laboratory information system. Oversees the quality of media, reagents, cell cultures, and control specimens. Researches current scientific literature, conducts experiments, and makes recommendations to improve or replace existing procedures. Serves as Senior Microbiologist on the Rabies Identification Team, assuming the duties of the Team Leader as required. Duties are performed with considerable latitude to develop and interpret protocol, and with considerable use of scientific knowledge, judgment, and experience.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

EJF 1.  Specimens submitted for Rabies testing have the potential to be infected with other unknown zoonotic pathogens. Oversees and conducts all complex laboratory procedures within the Rabies Identification Team associated with rabies diagnosis including the Necropsy area. Duties include but are not limited to testing all rabies specimens daily by fluorescent antibody techniques with 100% accuracy, preparing slides, staining slides, interpreting immunofluorescence for definitive diagnosis of rabies, checking in rabies specimens, identifying bat species, performing necropsy, and dissecting brains. Maintains capability to necropsy specimens continuously, effectively, and efficiently with skill and expertise. Ensures specimens are necropsied in a timely manner. Determines if repeat testing is needed. Enters and validates results in the laboratory information system. Ensures that procedures are done correctly and within the time frame specified in the procedure manual. Serves as a resource for answering questions and trouble-shooting problems related to rabies diagnosis, ensuring that questions and problems are addressed in a reasonable time frame. Reviews quality control data and verifies that all test procedures are performed appropriately. Reviews documentation and ensures that it is complete, accurate, and can be easily retrieved. Verifies and assists with the performance of daily checks including proper recording of specimens received, coordinating box checks, coordinating with rabies clerk for agreement of telephone log with specimens received, and verifies rabies worksheets with the check in log. Assesses the daily workload and ensures that work is distributed appropriately among employees. Notifies appropriate parties of significant results. Performs testing on weekends, holidays, and on an emergency basis as necessary. Responds to questions, problems, and emergency requests for rabies testing after routine business hours on an on-call basis. (45%)

EJF 2.  Maintains Rabies Identification Team testing areas including both the Rabies Identification and Necropsy laboratories. Disposes biohazard waste and animal carcasses, ensures the laboratory is clean and participates in cleaning and decontamination of work areas, autoclaves instruments and biohazard waste ensuring supplies arranged properly and assists coworkers as needed. Coordinates and conducts additional procedures to type rabies strains to confirm rabies diagnosis. Coordinates and participates in the identification of rabies strains by immunofluorescent monoclonal antibody typing including preparing slides, staining slides, and interpreting immunofluorescence. Performs typing by molecular methods/sequencing for identification of rabies isolates as needed. Performs and assists with RT-PCR testing. Performs and oversees the propagation of neuroblastoma cells for rabies isolation. Reviews quality control data and verifies that test procedures are performed appropriately. Trains other employees in new techniques and provides routine training to co-workers and guest laboratorians. Maintains adequate supply of high-quality reagents and supplies needed for the routine rabies diagnostic work including preparation of new reagents. Verifies stocks of reagents and schedules preparation of new reagents as necessary. Oversees and assists with production of the rabies reagents. Oversees and assists with quality control testing of the rabies reagents ensuring that new reagents perform appropriately. Summarizes and documents results from all quality control testing. Verifies supply inventory to prevent depletion of supplies. Initiates special orders through Team Leader. Oversees the shipment of rabies reagents and infectious material to the appropriate laboratories. (40%)

EJF 3.  Coordinates and assists with the evaluation, development, and implementation of new/improved procedures.  Discusses status of projects and analyzes progress with Team Leader. Documents all developmental work thoroughly.  Assists other staff in their duties and provides additional support to maintain a high quality of work. Notifies Team Leader and/or Group Manager of equipment malfunctions or test failures immediately, providing an assessment of the failure and making recommendations to prevent additional failures in the future. Performs monthly preventive maintenance duties as required. Assists Team Leader when necessary, with completing administrative duties including participating in the interview and selection process, attending meetings, and providing input from the work area. Reviews literature on a regular basis and provides summaries to other employees of new techniques or research related to rabies diagnosis. Participates in continuing education opportunities on a regular basis including talks, satellite conferences, scientific conferences, or other appropriate opportunities to update and learn new techniques to be able to perform state of the art diagnostic work. Performs cross-training within the group and/or branch as assigned by the Group/Branch Manager. (10%)

EJF 4. Based on your work area, consistently comply with DSHS Laboratory, local, state, and federal guidelines to ensure a safe functioning laboratory. Performs other duties as assigned by the Group/Branch Manager. 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 (KSAs):

Knowledge of medical virology principles and practices including laboratory safety, aseptic technique, and handling of pathogenic organisms. Knowledge of microscopy (light and fluorescent), immunological techniques, cell culture techniques, molecular techniques, and animal inoculation techniques. Knowledge of rabies testing procedures and the ability to communicate that knowledge to submitters in an understandable manner. Ability to organize daily workload and set priorities to routine work. Ability to maintain accurate records and evaluate problem situations and determine appropriate actions. Ability to recall details on specimens submitted. Ability to perform all procedures in rabies diagnosis. Ability to lift heavy items such as boxes or equipment. Ability to work with sharp and dangerous tools including electric saws, which weigh 6 and 10.5 pounds. Ability to manifest a high degree of dexterity (with saws as well as knives) while performing moderately complex tasks. Ability to tolerate unpleasant odors, sights, and conditions. Ability to follow laboratory procedures accurately, concentrate on minute details over an extended period, and maintain work efficiency under heavy stress and high specimen volumes. Ability to communicate effectively in oral and in written form and to follow written and verbal instructions. Ability to use various items of laboratory equipment, including a computer for word processing, spreadsheet and database analysis and results reporting. Ability to interact effectively with staff, works independently, work in harmony with other team members, and follow standard operating procedures and protocols. Ability to train employees. Skill in manipulating standard laboratory equipment with speed, accuracy, and safety.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Required: Bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science or medical technology from an accredited institution; or an earned 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.

Preferred but not required: Laboratory experience identifying viruses using diagnostic methods
Preferred but not required: Experience working in an animal diagnostic laboratory or veterinary animal clinic
Preferred but not required: Experience with performing immunofluorescence testing
Preferred but not required: Knowledge and experience with molecular testing principles and techniques

Additional Information:

Interviews will be scheduled after screening. Work hours and laboratory assignments may vary, must be willing to work hours other than 8am-5pm. Duties may include weekend/holiday work as required and occasional travel to attend and/or present at professional meetings. Selectee will be immunized against rabies virus and other highly infectious agents, DSHS will provide and arrange for immunization. Selectee must have no color vision problems, functional color vision assessment prior to employment. Degree must be from a U.S. accredited college or university, or foreign degree determined to be equivalent by an acceptable education evaluator. Applicants with diplomas awarded in countries other than the U.S. may contact Quality Control Officer (512-458-7318) for an approved list of credentialing agencies.

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