Newborn Screening Microbiologist (Microbiologist 2) - Hillsboro, OR (On-Site)

Initial Posting Date:

06/26/2024

Application Deadline:

07/17/2024

Agency:

Oregon Health Authority

Salary Range:

$4,536 - $6,952

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Newborn Screening Microbiologist (Microbiologist 2) - Hillsboro, OR (On-Site)

Job Description:

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Public Health Division (PHD), Oregon State Public Health Laboratory (OPSHL) in Hillsboro, Oregon has a career opportunity for a Newborn Screening Microbiologist (Microbiologist 2) to perform testing for the Newborn Screening Program. The Oregon Health Authority has the statutory responsibility for screening all infants born in the state for selected congenital conditions. Timely detection, follow-up, and treatment are imperative to prevent adverse effects of the condition.

The Oregon State Public Health Laboratory (OSPHL) has been actively protecting the public's health since 1903 by supporting state and local infectious disease control efforts, preventing metabolic disorders detectable at birth, and assuring the quality of testing in clinical and environmental laboratories. Click here for more information.

This is a full-time, permanent, classified position and is represented by a union. This recruitment may be used to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill current or future vacancies.

What you will do!

As the Newborn Screening Microbiologist, you will be involved in the daily testing and reporting processes in the laboratory, performing a variety of tests on dried blood spot specimens collected from newborns. In this role, you will follow established laboratory policies and procedures to assure timely and appropriate identification of presumptive positive newborn screening samples to optimize the early diagnosis and treatment for affected children.

What we are looking for:

Minimum Qualifications:

A bachelor's degree in chemical, physical, or biological science or a degree in medical technology from an accredited institution AND one (1) year of pertinent laboratory training and/or experience in high complexity testing within the specialty of clinical chemistry or microbiology.

OR

A master's degree in chemical, physical, or biological science or a degree in medical technology from an accredited institution.

Desired Attributes:

• Experience working in a clinical laboratory.

• Experience performing newborn screening testing.

• Experience performing clinical chemistry and molecular testing.

• Knowledge of newborn screening practice standards, clinical correlation and interpretation of laboratory results, and patient care.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Advanced knowledge to analyze, interpret, and make independent decisions.

• Ability to set priorities and perform multiple tasks at one time.

• Strong interpersonal skills for effectively communicating and collaborating with colleagues and professionals of varying levels within the laboratory setting.

• Experience creating, promoting, welcoming, and maintaining a culturally competent and diverse work environment.

Under federal law, the incumbent must meet personnel requirements for performing high complexity testing as defined by 42 CFR 493, Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP).

https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/LaboratoryServices/ClinicalLaboratoryRegulation/Documents/pers-re.pdf

What's in it for you?

The Public Health Division is a team of passionate individuals working to promote health across the lifespan of individuals, families, and communities. We value and support unique perspectives using a trauma-informed approach and aim to reflect these values in our hiring practices, professional development, and workplace. We are committed to racial equity as a driving factor to improve health outcomes for all communities that experience inequities.

• We offer exceptional medical, vision and dental benefit packages for you and your qualified family members with minimal out-of-pocket costs (member cost share is as low as 1% - 5%). Try this free virtual benefits counselor by clicking here: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/pebb/pages/alex.aspx

• Paid Leave Days:

• 11 paid holidays each year.

• 3 additional paid personal business days each year.

• 8 hours of paid sick leave accrued each month.

• 8 hours of vacation leave accrued each month with increases every 5 years.

• Pension and Retirement plans. After six months of service, you may qualify for the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS). New employees may be enrolled in the Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).

• Student Loan Forgiveness; Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity. The PSLF program may forgive student loan balances after you've made the equivalent of 120 qualifying monthly payments.

• Optional benefits include short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses.

• Continuous growth and development opportunities.

• Click here to learn more and access a summary of State of Oregon benefits.

The Oregon Health Authority is committed to:

• Eliminating health inequities in Oregon by 2030

• Becoming an anti-racist organization

• Developing and promoting culturally and linguistically appropriate programs, and

• Developing and retaining a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce that represents the diversity, cultures, strengths, and values of the people of Oregon.

Working Conditions:

The work of this role will be performed on-site at the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory, 7202 NE Evergreen Pkwy, Hillsboro, OR 97124.

Work schedule for this position is Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30am until 4pm, however it is subject to change as determined by workload and laboratory priorities. This position may be required to respond to a public health emergency. Occasional Holiday work or on-call may be required.

Directions to Apply:

Please fill out the online application and questionnaire and submit a resume and cover letter telling us about yourself and how your personal (lived), educational, and professional experience qualifies you for this position.

External Applicants Click on the "Apply" link and submit your application. View this video for assistance.

Internal Applicants (Current State of Oregon employees): Apply via your employee Workday account through the Jobs Hub worklet. View this job aid for assistance.

Helpful Tips/Resources:

• This posting closes at 11:59 PM on the close date listed.

• Workday may timeout after 20 minutes of inactivity.

• After you submit your application, you will have additional tasks to complete in Workday. Please continue to check your Workday account throughout the recruitment process.

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• Oregon Health Authority Website

• Oregon Health Authority Programs and Divisions

• Career Resources

• Applicant Help and Support

Additional Information:

• Pay Equity: Please ensure you have provided thorough and updated application materials as it pertains to the position for which you are applying. Your application materials will be used to determine salary based on a pay equity assessment. For further information, please visit the Pay Equity Project homepage.

• The salary listed is at the non-PERS rate. Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) eligible employees will have their base salary increased by 6.95% and pay the 6% employee contribution to PERS. If you are not yet PERS eligible, the 6.95% pay increase and employee contribution will be effective upon PERS eligibility.

• Veterans: Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. For further information, please see the following website: Veterans Resources.

• Visa Sponsorship: Oregon Health Authority (OHA) does not offer VISA sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. OHA is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States.

• Background Check: If you are offered employment, your offer will be contingent upon the positive outcome of an abuse check, criminal records check and driving records check. The information will be shared with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Office of Human Resources (OHR). Any criminal or founded abuse history will be reviewed and could result in the withdrawal of the offer or termination of employment.

Have Questions or Need Help?

If you need assistance to participate in the application process, including an accommodation request under the American with Disabilities Act, contact: Aimee Buchholz at aimee.d.buchholz2@oha.oregon.gov

TTY users please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service: 1-800-735-2900. For technical support, please call toll free 1-855-524-5627, for customer service assistance.

Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity, and Pay Equity

The Oregon Health Authority is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, genetic information, or any other protected class under state or federal law. In addition, we do not discriminate, or screen applicants based on current or past compensation. We determine salary by reviewing your application materials to evaluate your related education, experience, and training for this position. For further information, please visit the Pay Equity Project homepage. To learn more about OHA's mission, vision, and core values, click here.

The Oregon Health Authority is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer committed to workforce diversity and anti-racism.