This is a Medical Laboratory Technologist II position that will provide full-time on-site testing support to the NCSLPH Microbiology Unit’s clinical and reference bacteriology, antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), parasitology, and medical mycology laboratory sections. The primary role of this position is to perform specialized testing services for the isolation, identification, and characterization of a variety of disease-causing pathogens, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) for select bacterial pathogens (e.g. Neisseria gonorrhoeae AST, VISA/ VRSA). This position will use classical microbiological techniques, molecular techniques, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and Advanced Molecular Detection (AMD) (e.g. whole-genome sequencing (WGS)) to identify a variety of bacterial, parasitic, and fungal pathogens that impact public health. This position will perform concentrations and microscopic ova and parasite (O&P) examinations for a variety of gastrointestinal parasites (e.g. Giardia duodenales, Cryptosporidium spp.). This position will also assist in the development and onboarding of new identification and AST techniques utilizing genotypic, phenotypic, and emerging methodologies (e.g. WGS). The procedures performed by this position are highly specialized and require a combination of classical microbiological, AST, and molecular skills and knowledge. Duties of this position also include providing testing consultation and AST alert values to physicians, epidemiologists, nurses, and laboratorians, and the routine use of a laboratory information management system (LIMS). Candidates must be able to adapt to changing requirements that can arise in a dynamic work environment and work well within multidisciplinary teams. Work is performed at Biosafety Levels 2 & 2+ using proper containment techniques and personal protective equipment (PPE) as required. Surge capacity response during viral, bacterial, and/or fungal public health disease clusters, outbreaks, and/or pandemics is required. Work may require extended work hours to include weekends and/or holidays to meet routine and/or emergency specimen processing, testing, and reporting.

The NCSLPH Microbiology Unit’s bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, and AST sections laboratory floater will perform duties that include though are not limited to the following:

• Provide on-site testing support to the NCSLPH Microbiology Unit’s bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, and AST laboratory sections

• Perform and document quality assurance and quality control activities to Federal, State and NCSLPH regulations 

• Provide laboratory testing consultation and AST alert values to North Carolina Communicable Disease Branch (NC CDB), physicians, epidemiologists, nurses, and CDC

• Utilize STARLIMS and Ideagen compliance software for patient information, Quality Control, results entry, and document management

• Assist in the development and onboarding of new pathogen detection, identification, and AST techniques

• Assist with the inventory and procurement of reagents, supplies, and consumables

Campus Amenities and Benefits at the State Laboratory of Public Health

We are in Raleigh, NC. According to Forbes, we are ranked as one of the top 20 best places to retire and the 2nd most educated city in the country. US News & World ranks Raleigh among the top 15 places to live in the U.S.

• 220,000 square feet state-of-the-art facility
• Plentiful Free Parking
• Easy access to highways (70, 40 and 440), NC Museum of Art, Umstead State Park, healthcare providers, and shopping centers
• Proximity to globally and nationally ranked universities (NC State, UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke)
• Fitness area with exercise equipment, classes, and wellness activities
• Weekly Food Trucks, including Double Food Truck Fridays
• Annual Flu Shot Clinic for Employees and Families
• Monthly and quarterly career development classes, including opportunities for traveling
• Library of academic journals and materials on-site
• Employee Engagement and Staff Development Activities
• NCSLPH Employee Recognition Programs
• State Health Plan and State of NC Employee Benefits

Listed below are the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position. These KSAs, along with the minimum education and experience listed, are required in order to be deemed "eligible" for the position therefore you must provide supporting information, within the body of your application, to demonstrate your possession of each KSA listed. 
Qualified applicants must possess, and application must clearly reflect work experience that demonstrates the following:

• Experience working within BSL2 and/or BSL2+ conditions, handling potentially infectious materials, and knowledge of the safety aspects associated with clinical laboratory testing

• Experience performing classical microbiological and molecular techniques for the identification of pathogens associated with human disease

• Working Knowledge of the components of a Quality Assurance program and demonstrated skill in documenting and monitoring quality controls daily

• American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Certification
• Experience performing new method verifications and validations
• Experience performing and interpreting Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) using CLSI guidelines within a CAP or CLIA regulated high complexity laboratory
• Experience performing classical parasitology techniques for the identification of gastrointestinal parasites in humans
• Experience in mycology using classical microbiology and molecular biology techniques

An occupational medical assessment may be required to determine your ability to safely work with biological, chemical, or radiological hazards. This position may also require periodic medical screenings to confirm safety practices are effectively preventing occupational injury or illness.

All costs associated with obtaining occupational health services are covered by NCSLPH.

This position: 

• Works frequently with infectious disease agents that require the use of personal protective equipment.

• Work requires the ability to distinguish colors and close visual acuity to perform data analysis and visual inspection of specimens using standard laboratory equipment. 

• Use of laboratory equipment requires ability to manipulate items with fingers, ability to grasp, and ability to feel/perceive the attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture.

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See https://oshr.nc.gov/experience-guidefor details.
Qualified applicants must possess, and application must clearly reflect work experience that demonstrates the following:

Bachelor's degree in medical laboratory technology, chemistry or a biological science from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of experience in a medical laboratory in the assigned area; 
OR 
Associate's degree in medical technology from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of medical laboratory experience; 
OR 
Completion of a certified laboratory assistant course in medical technology or a comparable course from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of medical laboratory experience; 
OR
An equivalent combination of education and experience.

DHHS CONTACT INFORMATION

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws and Executive Orders.  We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job.  For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals.  Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.
  
It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive information. Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include the beginning and ending dates of jobs worked, education with the date graduated, all work experience, and certificates / licenses. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.  Answers to Supplemental Questions must refer to education or work experience listed on this application to receive credit.  Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.  If a former member of the NC National Guard, who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.
• If applicants earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, they must attach an unofficial transcript to each application to receive credit for this education.
• Applicantsmaybe subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.

Applications for positions requiring specific coursework must be accompanied by a copy of the applicant's transcript. Applicants with degrees not conferred at a United States college or university must attach verification that their degree is equivalent to a similar degree from a U.S. institution. The Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members.  Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

NOTE:  Applicants will receive communication via email only for updates on the status of their application or any questions on their application.  If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact Talent Acquisition at talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov..

To check the status of an application, please log in to your NC Government Job Opportunities account and click "Application Status". 

For technical issues with your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at 877-204-4442.   If you have a technical issue with your Government Jobs account, please call their Help Line at 1-855-524-5627.