Public Health Scientists Associate

Arizona Department of Health Services; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Student loan assistance

Paid vacation and sick time

Flexible hours

Job summary

The Arizona Department of Health Services seeks a Public Health Scientist Associate to conduct laboratory analyses on dried blood spots from newborns for metabolic disorder screening. The role involves chemical, hematological and molecular testing, quality control, and maintaining comprehensive lab records within the Office of Newborn Screening.

You will provide consultation to clients and laboratorians, perform instrument maintenance, manage reagents, and support testing operations during

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biological or clinical laboratory science.
• CLIA minimum requirements for high complexity testing.
• Ability to perform molecular and biochemical testing on dried blood spots.

Responsibilities

• Performs specialized hematological, molecular biological, and biochemical testing procedures on dried blood spots submitted for laboratory analysis.
• Works with potentially infectious, and/or other hazardous materials.
• Performs quality control testing as required by regulations; maintains appropriate records.
• Records results of laboratory analyses, including procedure followed, specific laboratory results, final identification, date reported.
• Performs preventative maintenance of laboratory instruments. Orders and reorders supplies for work unit as needed.

Skills

Molecular biology

Biochemical testing

Quality control

Lab safety

Documentation

Technical reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological or clinical laboratory science

Job description

DEPT OF HEALTH SERVICES

The Arizona Department of Health Services promotes and protects the health of Arizona’s children and adults. Our mission is to promote, protect, and improve the health and wellness of individuals and communities in Arizona. We strive to set the standard for personal and community health through direct care, science, public policy, and leadership. ADHS promotes alternative work schedules, flexible hours. We have positions that can fit any stage in your career, from entry to senior level. We offer a robust benefit package, including the ADHS Student Loan Assistance Program, where eligible employees can receive up to $300 per month for their outstanding student loans. Come check us out and see how you can make a difference in the lives of all Arizonans.

Public Health Scientist Associate

Job Location

Address: 250 N 17th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 850007

Posting Details

Salary: $55,902
Grade: 18

Job Summary

The public health scientist position is responsible for conducting laboratory analyses on dried blood spots on newborn babies for the identification of metabolic disorders. This position performs chemical, hematological and molecular testing of clinical laboratory specimens, along with performing quality control, maintaining laboratory records, providing consultation to clients and other laboratorians, and performing preventative maintenance on equipment within the Office of Newborn Screening. This position will maintain the laboratory reagent and material stocks for testing conducted by the sections, as well as play a support role in the laboratory in the event of a public emergency.

Job Duties

• Performs specialized hematological, molecular biological, and biochemical testing procedures on dried blood spots submitted for laboratory analysis.
• Works with potentially infectious, and/or other hazardous materials.
• Performs quality control testing as required by regulations; maintains appropriate records. Records results of laboratory analyses, including such information as procedure followed, specific laboratory results, final identification, date reported.
• Performs preventative maintenance of laboratory instruments. Orders and reorders supplies for work unit as needed.
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

Knowledge Of:

• Molecular biology and/or biochemical terminology, general biological sciences, chemistry and biology.
• Principles and practices of molecular biology and/or chemistry; molecular biology and/or chemical laboratory methods, procedures, equipment, and technology.
• Quality control procedures and techniques.
• Federal and State standards applicable to clinical test procedures.
• Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act - CLIA
• Performance Management (PM), and Continuous Quality Improve (CQI) and lean methodologies.

Skills In

• Molecular and/or chemical laboratory testing and interpretation
• Performing preventative maintenance for standard laboratory equipment
• Applying safety precautions and procedures.

Ability To

• Establish and maintain effective work relationships; communicate verbally and in writing; maintain accurate laboratory notes; write technical reports.
• Support a diverse multi-cultural workforce that reflects the community, promotes equal opportunity at all levels of public employment, and creates an inclusive work environment that enables all individuals to perform to their fullest potential free from discrimination.

Selective Preference(s)

Candidate must meet the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) minimum requirements for the performance of high complexity testing as defined in the CLIA

• 493.1489. Candidate must have earned a bachelor's degree in a biological or clinical laboratory science

Pre-Employment Requirements

Driver's License.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

• Affordable medical and dental insurance plans
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Wellness program and plans
• Life insurance
• Short/long-term disability insurance
• Defined retirement plan
• Award winning Infant at Work program
• Credit union membership
• Transit subsidy
• ADHS Student Assistance Pilot Program

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement

To help you build a financially secure future, the State makes monthly contributions to finance your retirement benefit. The State will make a contribution to the ASRS in an amount equal to your contribution. In other words, you and the State will each pay 50% of the total cost of the benefit. New State employees have a 27 week wait period for contributions to begin.

Contact Us

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by emailing [e-mail]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation. DHS is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All newly hired employees will be subject to E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification.