Microbiologist II

Under the moderate supervision of the TB Clinical Group Manager, and with coordination with the Tuberculosis Diagnostics Team Leader, performs moderately complex to complex microbiological tasks. Examines and interprets liquid and solid mycobacterial culture media, evaluates prior testing results, and determines course-of-action.

Maintains patient and culture records. Performs microscopic examination of clinical specimens and culture isolates. Processes clinical specimens for the isolation of acid-fast bacilli (AFB - Mycobacterium tuberculosis and related bacteria) and fungal organisms.

Harvests positive cultures and saponifies mycolic acids from samples for identification by mycolic acid high performance liquid chromatography. Maintains the necessary equipment, reagents, and supplies for testing. Conducts, evaluates, qualifies, and documents team personnel training on technical and support tasks as assigned.

Completes other duties as assigned. Duties performed with adherence to standard protocol but with limited use of scientific knowledge, initiative, and judgment. Essential Job Functions:

Attends work on a regular basis and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Based on the work area, consistently complies with DSHS Laboratory, local, state and federal guidelines to ensure a safe functioning laboratory.

EJF 1. Examines and interprets liquid and solid mycobacterial culture media, evaluates prior testing results, and determines course-of-action. Determines organism morphology and isolates organism(s) from culture media and from mixed cultures and subcultures to appropriate media. Consults with the senior microbiologist and Team Leader regarding problems or unusual cultures. Duties performed on a rotational basis. (25%)

EJF 2. Under the technical guidance of the Team Leader, performs microscopic examination of clinical specimens and culture isolates. Stains, examines, interprets, and reports AFB from clinical specimens by direct fluorochrome smear microscopy based on AFB morphology, fluorescence, and quantity. When necessary, overstains the direct fluorochrome smear to examine the smear microscopically using the Ziehl Neelsen or Kinyoun staining procedure. Performs microscopic examination and interpretation of organisms from culture media by Ziehl Neelsen or Kinyoun stain. Trains others to perform the staining procedures. Duties performed on a rotational basis. (20%)

EJF 3. Under the technical guidance of the Team Leader, processes clinical specimens for the isolation of acid-fast bacilli (AFB - Mycobacterium tuberculosis and related bacteria) and fungal organisms. Decontaminates non-sterile specimens by NALC-sodium hydroxide method; concentrates specimens by centrifugation. Inoculates concentrated specimens to liquid and solid primary isolation media; prepares smears of concentrated specimens for staining while making no inoculation mistakes and having no evidence of cross-contamination. Trains others to perform these tests. Harvests positive cultures and saponifies mycolic acids for identification by mycolic acid high- performance liquid chromatography. Duties performed on a rotational basis. (25%)

EJF 4. Maintains patient and sample records. Orders laboratory information system (LabWare) tests as needed for identification. Creates batches and completes appropriate log sheets and meets daily deadlines. Enters test results into LabWare and meets daily deadlines. Trains others to perform demographics checks using LabWare demographic log or batch worksheets. Communicates with internal and external customers, documents communications in phone and LabWare communication logs. (15%)

EJF 5. Maintains the necessary equipment, reagents, and supplies for testing. Completes appropriate log sheets by assigned deadlines. Performs quality control, quality assurance, equipment preventative maintenance and repair procedures; maintains written documentation of service and repairs performed as well as written and email documentation of work requests. Trains others to perform support tasks. (10%)

EJF 6. Completes other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or continuity of operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. (5%)

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Knowledge of medical bacteriology, mycobacteriology, mycology, and biochemistry. Knowledge of laboratory safety, aseptic technique, and handling of pathogenic bacteria and fungi.

Knowledge of quality assurance and quality control functions. Ability to complete tasks and meet deadlines without close supervision. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; follow written and verbal instructions.

Ability to manipulate specimens and cultures within a biological safety cabinet with speed, accuracy, and safety. Ability to use various items of laboratory equipment, including use of a computer for word processing, spreadsheet and database analysis and results reporting. Ability to interact effectively with staff, work independently, work in harmony with other team members, and follow standard operating procedures.

Skill in manipulating standard laboratory equipment with speed, accuracy and safety. Skill to use brightfield, fluorescent, and dissecting microscope to examine slides and cultures. Registration or Licensure Requirements:

Have an earned bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution; or

• Have an earned associate's degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science, or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution.

• Experience and education may be substituted as defined by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA '88) Standards.

Initial Selection Criteria:

Required:

Have an earned bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution; or

Have an earned associate degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science, or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution.

Experience and education may be substituted as defined by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA '88) Standards.

Preferred:

Experience in a Clinical Micro lab Experience working with Mycobacteria.

Experience under a BSC using Aseptic technique.

Experience using Brightfield and/or fluorescent microscopy.

Experience with culture media interpretation.

Additional Information:

MOS Code:

67B, 71A, 230X, 43TX

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