Virology Laboratory Technologist
Connect passion with purpose. The Georgia Department of Public Health is the lead agency entrusted by the people of Georgia to proudly protect lives and promote healthy lifestyles in diverse communities statewide. We are committed to the health of the entire population as our work impacts past, present and future generations.
What we offer. Enjoy a generous benefits package that includes a flexible work schedule, unique training opportunities, engaging worksite wellness events, wellness breaks, lactation rooms, employee retirement plan, deferred compensation, 13 paid holidays, vacation & sick leave, dental, vision, long term care, and life insurance; in addition to telework opportunities depending upon the position.
Make your mark in public service. As an accredited public health department, we're seeking a highly qualified candidate for the position of Virology Technologist to join the Division of Medical-Clinical Services, Public Health Laboratory located in Decatur, GA.
Won't you join us?
This position work as generalists or specialists in the laboratory, performing analyses of human tissue, body fluids and environmental sources, such as food and water. These tests may be basic to highly complex, and encompass knowledge of microbiology, chemistry, immunology and other disciplines, all performed under a quality management system. Work is performed under the general direction of a technical supervisor, and is compliant with regulatory requirements.
Job Responsibilities:
1. Performs job responsibilities with minimal supervision.
- Applies appropriate test methodologies.
- Uses correct techniques and protocols in collection of all specimens, following established quality control guidelines.
- Ensures laboratory equipment is adjusted, operated, and functioning properly for analyses being performed.
- Completes analyses with established guidelines for specimen status (STAT, timed, etc).
- Begins collection, testing, and analyses within specified deadlines.
2. Serves as job expert or organization resource in assigned areas.
- Determines appropriate test methodology for less routine samples, such as those referred from other laboratories for further study.
- Uses established guidelines to perform complicated and/or advanced technical procedures.
- Monitors various quality assurance indicators; determines reasons for unacceptable test and/or quality control results and corrects problems; refers unresolved problems to supervisor.
- Participates in special project assignments, such as the evaluation of new media, reagents, antisera, or testing procedures.
- Assists in developing procedures for a segment of the work of assigned laboratory, such as a segment of the quality assurance program.
3. May supervise lower level staff.
- Establishes validity of test results, performing required quality control procedures to ensure accuracy of analyses.
- Report abnormal/unusual results to supervisor following established guidelines based on specimen status.
- Accurately documents interpretations of results in appropriate computer and/or manual logs within established time frames.
4. Analyzes laboratory findings to check the accuracy of the results.
- Conducts periodic maintenance at established intervals, calibrating instruments as needed.
- Accurately recognizes and documents malfunctions.
- Initiates corrective action procedures and notifies appropriate personnel of instrument problems.
5. Interprets and issues report on results of analysis or testing.
- Assures tests are completed accurately and work is reviewed in a timely manner.
- Assigns workload appropriately to staff, keeping overtime to a minimum.
- Monitors assigned sections for safety and cleanliness.
- Maintains current procedure manuals and trains assigned staff in laboratory policies and procedures.
- Promptly reports unusual occurrences and problems to appropriate supervisory personnel.
6. Determines and maintains inventory necessary to facilitate smooth operation of the laboratory.
- Maintains analytical and reporting skills in sections of laboratory outside of normal assignment.
- Provides coverage to other sections of laboratory as assigned.
- Completes proficiency testing when scheduled.
7. Develops, standardizes, evaluates, and modifies procedures, techniques and tests used in the analysis and experiments.
- Assigns and prioritizes work in keeping with employee skill and certification levels, workloads, and completion time frames.
- Monitors progress and productivity of assigned staff.
- Communicates organization's goals and objectives to staff.
- Establishes unit goals and objectives consistent with the organization's mission.
- Assists staff in resolving problems encountered in work assignments.
- Evaluates unit policies, procedures, and processes and recommends/ implements changes to ensure the unit is functioning efficiently.
8. Complies with State and Federal laboratory licensure requirements.
- Attends internal and external educational programs and professional meetings as available for continuing professional education.
- Attends regular meetings of available and applicable professional organizations.
- Reads and evaluates professional literature on continual basis.
- Incorporates knowledge of pertinent new trends and developments into section policies and procedures and makes recommendations for any related changes.
9. Adheres to and observes principles, rules, regulations and safety precautions.
10. Operates, calibrates, and maintains equipment used in qualitative/quantitative analysis.
11. Performs testing and quality assurance procedures requiring additional expertise and/or advanced technology.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in a related science area from an accredited college or university AND Two years of experience in a clinical laboratory AND Certification as a Medical Technologist (MT) by a nationally accredited certifying agency such as American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), the American Medical Technologists (AMT), the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA), the American Association of Bioanalysts (ABB), or another agency approved by the Department.
OR
Completion of ONE of the following academic and/or training requirements listed below, in order to be temporarily classified as a technologist for eighteen (18) months to afford the opportunity to successfully complete an approved qualifying MT examination to earn a ASCP, AMT, AAB certification or equivalent listed above as required of the position:
- Successful completion of a full course of study which meets all academic requirements for a bachelor's degree in medical technology from an accredited college or university; OR
- Successful completion of three years of academic study (a minimum of 135 quarter hours or equivalent) in an accredited college or university and the successful completion of a course of training of at least 12 months in a school of medical technology accredited by an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education; OR
- Successful completion in an accredited college or university of a course of study which meets all academic requirements for a bachelor's degree in one of the chemical, physical, or biological sciences, and have at least one year of pertinent laboratory experience or training accepted by the Department; OR
- Successful completion of 135 quarter hours in an accredited college or university, including 24 quarter hours of chemistry, 24 quarter hours of biology, and 5 quarter hours of mathematics, (thirty quarter hours of the total, with a minimum of fifteen in science, must be at the third or fourth year level), and have at least two years of pertinent laboratory experience; OR
- Successful completion of a full course of study which meets all academic requirements for an associate's degree in medical technology from an accredited college or university, or successful completion of two years of academic study (a minimum of 90 quarter hours or equivalent) in an accredited college or university which included at least 20 quarter hours of lecture and laboratory courses in chemical, physical, or biological sciences acceptable toward a major in science, with at least three years of pertinent laboratory experience; OR
- Graduation from high school and successful completion of a formal technician training course which is accredited by an accrediting agency accepted by the Department with at least four years of pertinent laboratory experience
OR
Other provision as listed here: http://rules.sos.state.ga.us/GAC/111-8-10-.06?urlRedirected=yes&data=admin&lookingfor=111-8-10-.06 under the Rules and Regulations of the state of Georgia (Rule 111-8-10-.06).
In order to be legally recognized as a medical technologist in the state of Georgia, a medical technologist (MT) certification must be obtained.
*ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED* Please upload a copy of all relevant transcripts to this application.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Molecular laboratory experience