Scientist (Microbial Reference) - CL391

 

Are you looking to make a real impact on public health? The Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) is hiring a Scientist I to join our Microbial Reference Group, supporting statewide laboratory testing that protects the health and safety of communities across the Commonwealth.

 

Title: Scientist (Microbial Reference) – CL391 

State Role Title: Scientist I

Hiring Range: $60,000 - $76,000

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Department of General Services

Location: DCLS

Agency Website: www.dgs.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: AGENCY ONLY (Open to current DGS Employees only)

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of General Services (DGS) is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as Scientist in the Microbial Reference Group for the Commonwealth's Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS), which is one of the largest and most diverse consolidated state laboratories in the nation. With an annual budget of over 30 million dollars and over 250 state employees, DCLS performs approximately 9 million tests annually. Results from these tests are used confidently by local, state, and federal public health, agriculture, food regulatory, environmental protection, and law enforcement officials serving to protect our citizens, food supply environment and commerce. DCLS is a member of several public health networks and emergency response groups; the Consolidated Laboratory also directs Commonwealth’s environmental laboratory accreditation program.

The Microbial Reference Group at DCLS provides laboratory testing services focused on the detection and identification of bacterial and fungal pathogens that cause disease in humans, which could be present in the food we eat or in the environment.  Human and environmental samples are tested routinely as part of investigations involving emerging infectious disease, gastrointestinal illnesses outbreaks and in support of autopsy and suspicious death investigations. The laboratory testing supports many local, state and federal agencies, as well as private and public laboratories throughout Virginia.

This Scientist will perform high complexity testing in the Enteric Bacteriology Laboratory. This position performs highly technical and specialized testing to detect, identify, and further characterize bacterial pathogens that cause gastrointestinal disease in humans and are routinely part of outbreak investigations. Bacterial culture and testing is performed on clinical stool specimens and bacterial isolates. Testing includes conventional culture techniques, mass spectrometry, and molecular methods. This Scientist will participate in cross-training opportunities, quality assurance and safety initiatives, and assist in method validation and implementation. This Scientist routinely collaborates with other testing groups at DCLS and assists with providing support to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). These duties are performed independently with minimal supervision from the group manager.

As an Enteric Bacteriology Scientist in the Microbial Reference Group, job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Perform highly complex testing, meet turnaround and holding times, manage workload priorities, maintain chain of custody, and ensure data integrity in LIMS.
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of test results, performing QA/QC procedures, troubleshooting methods, documenting maintenance, and supporting staff training.
• Maintain professional relationships and provide responsive support to internal and external customers.
• Support DCLS mission through effective teamwork.
• Ensure a safe, secure, and compliant work environment.

 

Minimum Requirements:

• Meet the education, and experience or training requirements of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) standard for high complexity testing personnel as defined in 42 CFR 493.1489.  
• Knowledge of microbiology.
• Knowledge of basic laboratory safety.    
• Knowledge of quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) procedures.   
• Ability to communicate effectively.   

This position will be in Richmond, Virginia and must report on-site.

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