Public Health Laboratory Scientist 1-3

Nunez Community College; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Louisiana Department of Health in Baton Rouge is seeking a Public Health Laboratory Scientist to perform identification, serotyping, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacterial isolates in the Bacteriology Laboratory. The role includes molecular characterization and related testing, with potential work in Mycobacteriology using nucleic acid amplification and MALDI-TOF analysis.

Applicants must hold or be eligible for an LSBME CLS license with national certification (ASCP/AMT/AAB).

Qualifications

• LSBME license or eligibility required.
• National certification (ASCP, AMT, or AAB) preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in biological, environmental, or chemical science.
• Preference given to candidates with clinical microbiology testing experience.

Responsibilities

• Performs identification and confirmation of bacterial isolates.
• Conducts serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
• Performs molecular characterization and related testing of pathogens.
• Conducts nucleic acid amplification testing and AFB smear testing.
• Performs AFB cultures using liquid and solid media.
• Identifies mycobacterial isolates using molecular methods and MALDI-TOF.

Skills

Clinical laboratory testing

Molecular testing

Nucleic acid amplification testing

AFB smear

MALDI-TOF analysis

Quality standards

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological, environmental, or chemical science

Tools

MALDI-TOF

AFB culture methods

Nucleic acid amplification testing

Job description

The mission of the Louisiana Department of Health is to protect and promote health and to ensure access to medical, preventive, and rehabilitative services for all residents of the State of Louisiana.

Learn more about the Louisiana Department of Health

Join the Louisiana Office of Public Health as a Public Health Laboratory Scientist in the Microbiology Laboratory in Baton Rouge. Primary responsibilities include identification confirmation, serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and molecular characterization of bacterial isolates submitted to the Louisiana Office of Public Health Bacteriology Laboratory. Additional responsibilities may include the performance of multiple tests in the Mycobacteriology Laboratory, including nucleic acid amplification testing, AFB smear, AFB culture using liquid and solid-based media, and AFB identification using both molecular methods and MALDI-TOF analysis. Preference will be given to applicants with training and/or experience performing clinical microbiology testing.

Applicants for this position must possess or be eligible to obtain a Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME) clinical laboratory scientist license, which requires national certification by ASCP, AMT, or AAB. Please see the LSBME website for details.

A bachelor's degree in a biological, environmental, or chemical science.

SPECIAL SECURITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must be able to pass a criminal background check and/or security clearance, including but not limited to those required for the Federal Select Agent Program and the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners license requirements.

CLINICAL TESTING POSITIONS:

For positions which involve processing and analysis of human specimens and/or the generation or interpretation of laboratory results that may be used in the diagnosis or treatment of a disease or condition in humans, the incumbent must have a current license to practice as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist Generalist (CLS-G) or a Clinical Laboratory Scientist Specialist (CLS-S) issued by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME).

A temporary license to practice as a CLS-G or a CLS-S issued by the LSBME shall fulfill this requirement only for the limited time granted by the LSBME. The incumbent is required to satisfy the requirements for a CLS-G or CLS-S permanent license prior to the expiration of the temporary license.

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties:

• Performs identification and confirmation of bacterial isolates submitted to the Louisiana Office of Public Health Bacteriology Laboratory.
• Conducts serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacterial isolates.
• Performs molecular characterization and related molecular testing of bacterial pathogens.
• Conducts nucleic acid amplification testing and AFB smear testing in the Mycobacteriology Laboratory.
• Performs AFB cultures using liquid- and solid-based media.
• Identifies mycobacterial isolates using molecular methods and MALDI-TOF analysis.
• Performs clinical microbiology testing in accordance with laboratory procedures, quality standards, and applicable requirements.

Position-Specific Details:

Location: Office of Public Health / Central Laboratory / East Baton Rouge Parish

Appointment Type: This position may be filled as a Job appointment (temporary appointment that may last up to 48 months)

Cost Center: 3262107414

Position Number(s): 50594267

Career Progression: This position may be filled as a Public Health Laboratory Scientist 1, 2, or 3 determined by the qualifications of the candidate selected. This position provides the opportunity to advance within this job series.

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

Paul Tran

[e-mail]

LA Department of Health (LDH)

Division of Human Resources

PO Box 4818

Baton Rouge, LA 70821225-342-6477

This organization participates in E-verify, and for more information on E-verify, please contact DHS at 1-888-464-4218.

LDH supports Louisiana’s commitment to being a State as a Model Employer (SAME) by promoting the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

Information on the Louisiana Works, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is available here.

LDH is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to recruit a highly productive and diverse workforce and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees. Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non‑merit factor.