• Job Description

  Req#: 699300
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  The Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory at the Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking a skilled microbiologist to join our team. In this role, you will play a crucial role in isolating, identifying, and characterizing pathogens of clinical and public health significance. You will work with a wide range of pathogens, including those causing gonorrhea, whooping cough, foodborne bacterial infections, drug-resistant strains, and potential biothreat agents. Your expertise in conventional culture techniques, antibiotic susceptibility testing, Maldi-ToF, ELISA, and PCR will be essential to perform accurate and timely analyses. This position is classified as a CDC SAT Tier 1 role, which requires exceptional dedication and proficiency.

  Learn more about what it’s like to work at the State Public Health Lab.

  Please note: This position is expected to report to the office five (5) days per week.

  
  Duties and Responsibilities(these are a general summary and not all inclusive):

  • Conducts complex testing on clinical specimens using microbiological culture techniques.
  • Performs nucleic acid amplification testing and PCR.
  • Utilizes the Maldi-ToF Mass Spectrometer for pathogen identification.
  • Operates antimicrobial susceptibility testing on bacterial pathogens.
  • Adhere to written standard operating procedures for all laboratory work, including testing procedures, safety protocols, and quality assurance protocols. Reports results accurately and completely within the laboratory information management system(s).

  Please Note: This is a CDC SAT Tier 1 position that will require 24/7 on-call coverage several weeks each year and occasional after hours, weekend, and holiday work.

  Required Qualifications:

  • Ability to perform basic microbiological, immunological, and molecular biology techniques.
  • Able to follow written and oral instructions.
  • Understanding of quality assurance practices.
  • Capability to perform calculations, measurements and unit conversion calculations.
  • Knowledge of the principles and policies governing professional ethics and rules of conduct.
  • Capacity to effectively communicate with others, both orally and in writing.
  • Able to work collegially with peers.

  Preferred Qualifications:

  • American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certified medical technologist preferred.
  • Comprehension of\experience in clinical microbiology and bacterial identification.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of molecular techniques and PCR.
  • Knowledge of BSL-3 practices.

  Working Conditions:

  Willingness to work under conditions of potential exposure to infectious agents.

  Willingness to sign a confidentiality statement upon hire.

  This position will require work in the BSL-3 laboratory. In the context of work in a BSL-3 environment the successful candidate must understand the following:

  • All Tier 1 Staff will undergo a security risk assessment (SRA), which includes signing a confidentiality statement, and renewal every three years.
  • Working conditions include potential exposure to infectious agents.
  • All Tier 1 designated staff who may be exposed to Tier 1 Biological Select Agents and Toxins (BSAT) 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 HSLI laboratory (Tier 1, non Tier1, and non SAT) that requires a respirator.
  • All Tier 1 designated staff are subject to ongoing suitability assessment to ensure compliance with federal regulations regarding Tier 1 Select Agents. Failure to pass the SRA and/or suitability assessment required for access to Tier 1 BSAT may result in being laid off if no other resolution is reached.

  Special Requirements:

  As part of the pre-hire process, you will be required to submit transcript(s) for review for the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) verification process.

  If selected as the preferred candidate, you will be required to submit an official transcript from each accredited academic institution to verify the above.

  Please note that we will be unable to move forward with your application for this position if you do not meet CLIA qualifications.

  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

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  First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

  Minimum Entrance Requirements:

  Applicants must have (A) at least three (3) years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional or academic research experience in microbiology, molecular biology, or medical laboratory technology, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the 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, medical laboratory technology, or equivalent scientific field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.

  II. A Master's degree or higher with a major in microbiology, molecular biology, biology or equivalent scientific field may be substituted for the required 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.

  Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

  COVID Vaccine: As a condition of employment, depending on job assignment and location, employees may be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination and/or other vaccinations, or to have been approved for a vaccination exemption prior to their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment.

  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.

• About the company

  Official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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