Serology Laboratory Technologist I

State of North Carolina; Wake Forest (NC); On-site; USD 58,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid leave

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is seeking a Medical Laboratory Technologist I in the Virology/Serology Unit of the NC State Laboratory of Public Health to perform serology testing and provide consultation.

This 100% federally funded position works under CLIA and QA policies, uses STARLIMS, and supports HIV, Hepatitis, and Rubella testing in a high-volume clinical lab.

Qualifications

• Regulated lab experience testing clinical specimens.
• QC on lab instrumentation.
• Knowledge of lab safety protocols.

Responsibilities

• Perform clinical laboratory testing per SOPs for HIV, Hepatitis, and Rubella.
• Conduct QA/QC activities per Federal, State, and SLPH regulations.
• Utilize STARLIMS for specimen submission and results entry.
• Provide laboratory testing consultation to physicians and epidemiologists.
• Perform instrument QC, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Participate in testing verification and validation studies.

Skills

Regulated lab experience

QC on instrumentation

Lab safety protocols

Education

Bachelor’s degree in medical technology or related biological science

Associate degree in medical technology

Certified Laboratory Assistant course

Tools

STARLIMS

Job description

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Public Health

Job Classification Title

Medical Laboratory Technologist I (S)

Position Number

65018982

Grade

MH14

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

The Virology/Serology Unit of the NC State Laboratory of Public Health is currently accepting applications for a Medical Laboratory Technologist I vacancy. The primary responsibility of this position is to serve as a technologist in the serology laboratory performing routine and reference testing of serum and other bodily fluids for the detection of antibodies and antigens to various infectious diseases. Duties in this position also include providing testing consultation 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 high specimen volume clinical laboratory and work well within multidisciplinary teams. This position will perform diagnostic testing under CLIA regulations and other QA policies, as well as perform testing for the purposes of viral surveillance. Laboratory duties performed by this position include automated and semi-automated procedures to diagnose HIV, Hepatitis, and Rubella. This position also assists the Medical Technologist II with monthly responsibilities and will serve as a backup for the lead technologist when necessary.

The Serology Unit Medical Laboratory Technologist I will perform duties that include, though are not limited to, the following:

• Perform clinical laboratory testing per standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the detection of analytes indicating the presence of HIV, Hepatitis, and Rubella

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

• Utilize STARLIMS and document control software for specimen submission, results entry, and document management

• Provide laboratory testing consultation to physicians, epidemiologists, nurses & other laboratorians

• Perform instrument QC, maintenance, and technical troubleshooting

• Participate in testing verification, validation, and other quality studies

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $58,265.00 - $87,396.00

Recruitment Range: $58,265.00 - $59,471.00

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:

• Demonstrated experience working in a regulated laboratory performing testing on clinical specimens.

• Proven experience performing QC on lab instrumentation. 3.Experience with performing lab assays.

• Working knowledge of lab safety protocols

The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End Date

This Position Is 100% Federally Funded

Employees in this position must be capable of meeting the Federal CLIA ’88 personnel requirements of Testing Personnel in a laboratory performing high complexity testing. Applicants must attach copies of their transcript(s) and/or certification(s) to be considered for the position

Physical Requirements:

• 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.

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

• Uses laboratory equipment requiring the 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.

About the NC Division of Public Health (DPH):

The NC Division of Public Health works to promote and contribute to the highest possible level of health for the people of North Carolina. Our entire statewide system of public health has dedicated professionals who carry out our mission every day through a wide range of essential and activities touching the lives of everyone in our state.

About Virology / Serology:

Virology/Serology (VS) performs highly complex laboratory tests to identify infections with a variety of bacterial and viral pathogens of public health significance. The majority of reports generated by this Unit are used by state and local health officials in the diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, and control of communicable disease. Virology/Serology is organized into four laboratory areas: Bacterial STD, Serology, Special Serology, Viral Culture/Rabies.

Compensation and Benefits:

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit the website for State Benefits.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employerthat embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federallaws, 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.

In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

Minimum Education and Experience

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 the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Bachelor’s degree in medical technology, chemistry, or a biological science from an appropriately accredited institution

OR

Associate degree in medical technology from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of experience in a medical laboratory

OR

Completion of a Certified Laboratory Assistant course in medical technology or a comparable course and three years of experience in a medical laboratory

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.