Public Health Laboratory Scientist 1-3

The Louisiana Department of Health is dedicated to fulfilling its mission through direct provision of quality services, the development and stimulation of services of others, and the utilization of available resources in the most effective manner.

LDH serves as a model employer for individuals with disabilities.

This position is located within the Louisiana Department of Health / Office of Public Health / Laboratory - Environmental Chemistry / East Baton Rouge Parish

Announcement Number: OPH/CG/196136

Cost Center: 3262107411

Position Number(s): 63856

This vacancy is being announced as a Classified position and may be filled as a Probationary or Promotional appointment.

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

Public Health Laboratory Scientist 1-3 Environmental Chemistry

The Louisiana Office of Public Health has a Public Health Laboratory Scientist position available within the OPH Laboratory in Baton Rouge, LA.  The selected individual will work within the Environmental Chemistry Laboratory Section, which performs organic, inorganic, and trace metals analyses.

 Familiarity with drinking water testing, as well as experience with EPA Safe Drinking Water regulations and methodologies, particularly in metals analysis including inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-mass spectrometry, ICP-optical emission spectrometry, and/or atomic absorption, is preferred.  Preference will be given to applicants with previous experience in an EPA-regulated laboratory.   This position requires daily interaction with OPH Laboratory staff, OPH Program staff and regulatory agencies.

This position participates in a Career Progression Group (CPG) and may be filled as a Public Health Laboratory Scientist 1, 2, or 3 level at which the vacancy is filled will be determined by the qualifications of the candidate selected. This position provides the opportunity to advance within this job series.

The actual starting salary depends on the education and experience of the selected applicant.

Please click on the below links to learn more about each job level:

State Civil Service Job Information Finder

To apply for this vacancy, click on the "Apply" link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

• Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.*

A resume upload will NOT populate your information into your application. Work experience left off your electronic application or only included in an attached resume is not eligible to receive credit

For further information about this vacancy contact:

Ciera Green

Ciera.Green@la.gov

LDH/HUMAN RESOURCES

BATON ROUGE, LA 70821

 225-342-6477

This organization participates in E-verify, and for more information on E-verify, please contact DHS at 1-888-464-4218.    

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A baccalaureate degree with twenty-four semester hours in any one or a combination of the following: biological, environmental, or chemical science.

NOTE:

Any college hours or degree must be from an accredited college or university.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

SECURITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must be able to pass a criminal background check and/or security clearance, including but not limited to those required for the Federal Select Agent Program and the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners license requirements.

FOR POSITIONS DEALING WITH CLINICAL TESTING:

For positions which involve processing and analysis of human specimens and/or the generation or interpretation of laboratory results that may be used in the diagnosis or treatment of a disease or condition in humans, the incumbent must have at the time of appointment a current valid license to practice as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist Generalist (CLS-G) or a Clinical Laboratory Scientist Specialist (CLS-S) issued by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME).

A Temporary License to practice as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist-Generalist or a Clinical Laboratory Scientist-Specialist issued by the LSBME shall fulfill this requirement only for the limited time period granted by the LSBME. The incumbent is required to satisfy the requirements for a CLS-G or CLS-S permanent license prior to the expiration of the temporary license.

Function of Work:

To perform and interpret moderately complex microbiological and chemical analyses.

Level of Work:

Entry.

Supervision Received:

Close from a Public Health Laboratory Scientist Supervisor.

Supervision Exercised:

None.

Location of Work:

Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health, Division of Laboratories.

Job Distinctions:

Differs from the Laboratory Technician by the responsibility for performing routine professional laboratory analyses requiring interpretive judgment with a limited degree of independence.

Differs from the Public Health Laboratory Scientist 2 by the absence of responsibility for more complex laboratory analyses.Performs a variety of standardized microbiological and chemical analyses with supervisor's review of methods, accuracy, and quantity of output.

Initiates instrument start-up and calibrates laboratory equipment and/or scientific instrumentation for use in conducting procedures.

Analyzes a variety of clinical specimens to identify pathogenic bacteria.

Analyzes immunohematological specimens. Isolates and identifies organisms causing food poisoning by using biochemical and microbiological analyses.

Performs chemical analyses of food, potable water, and wastewater including pesticides, heavy metals and organics.

Performs proficiency testing and other procedures required for certification.

Prepares routine and complex media and reagents.

Performs bioassays for the identification of PKU, hypothyroidism, and hemoglobinopathies in newborns.

Performs quality control procedures on media prepared in-house and purchased commercially.

Adheres to all federal, state, and local guidelines and mandates regarding safety.

Performs other routine analyses as assigned by the supervisor.