Job Description

Description of Work

**This is a REPOST. Previous applicants are still being considered for the position and do not need to reapply.**

The primary responsibility of this position is to routinely perform a wide range of medical laboratory tests used to diagnose, treat, and prevent infectious diseases, with a focus on viral pathogens, as well as select vector-borne pathogens. The procedures performed by this position are highly specialized and consist of a variety of real-time PCR and advanced molecular detection techniques. This position will perform diagnostic testing in accordance with CLIA regulations and other QA policies, as well as, perform testing for the purposes of viral surveillance. This position will provide technical leadership and training for other personnel. Position will assist in the evaluation, performance verification/validation, and implementation of new methods and techniques.

About the Division of Public Health and the State Laboratory of Public Health:

The NC Division of Public Health (DPH) works to promote and contribute to the highest possible level of health for the people of North Carolina - Everywhere, Everyday, Everybody.

The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH) provides an array of services including Laboratory Testing, Training/Consultation and Certification. The NCSLPH provides more than 125 clinical laboratory tests and more than 65 environmental laboratory tests to the public and private medical health care system in North Carolina and performs over 6 million tests annually on human, animal, food, water, and agricultural samples. Additionally, NCSLPH provides training and consultation for local health departments, hospitals, commercial laboratories, private health care professionals, community-based organizations and state and regional staff from the NC Division of Public Health (DPH) and other state and regional agencies.

The Infectious Diseases Section at the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH) is comprised of three primary units containing various laboratories all of which provide testing services to local and state partners as well as to clinical labs for the diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, and control of communicable diseases. Collectively, the section conducts highly complex test procedures for the detection, identification, and characterization of a wide range of infectious agents from a variety of clinical, reference, and environmental specimens. The newly established Sequencing and Bioinformatics Response Unit is made up of laboratory scientists, bioinformatics staff, and support staff who are dedicated and exclusively focused on developing, expanding, implementing, and enhancing infectious disease sequencing and analytics capabilities within the unit.

The Virology/Serology Unit identifies infections caused by a variety of viral pathogens of public health significance. The Unit performs over 525,000 tests annually ranging from rabies to sexually transmitted diseases to vector-borne diseases. The Rabies Laboratory at the NCSLPH is the sole source for diagnostic rabies testing in North Carolina. This service is available to all health care providers within the state. Diagnostic serologic assays are performed on serum and CSF suspected for Arboviruses within the Special Serology Laboratory. The Serology Laboratory performs testing for the presence of antibodies against a variety of pathogens. The newly established Molecular Virology Unit performs diagnostic virology and surveillance assays for respiratory, vaccine preventable, and other pathogens utilizing molecular methods and techniques.

Campus Amenities and Benefits at the State Laboratory of Public Health

We are in Raleigh, NC. According to Forbes, we are ranked as one of the top 20 best places to retire and the 2nd most educated city in the country. US News & World ranks Raleigh among the top 15 places to live in the U.S.

• 220,000 square feet state-of-the-art facility
• Plentiful Free Parking
• Easy access to highways (70, 40 and 440), NC Museum of Art, Umstead State Park, healthcare providers, and shopping centers
• Proximity to globally and nationally ranked universities (NC State, UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke)
• Fitness area with exercise equipment, classes, and wellness activities
• Patio Dining with Umbrellas
• Weekly Food Trucks, including Double Food Truck Fridays
• Car Cleaning and Detailing Services On-site bimonthly
• Annual Flu Shot Clinic for Employees and Families
• Monthly and quarterly career development classes, including opportunities for traveling
• Library of academic journals and materials on-site
• Employee Engagement and Staff Development Activities
• NCSLPH Employee Recognition Programs
• State Health Plan and State of NC Employee Benefits

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

To receive credit for all of your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the application form. Any information listed under the text resume section or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit. Qualified candidates must document on the application that they possess all of the following:

Experience working in a regulated laboratory performing testing on clinical specimens.

Knowledge of quality control standard, procedures, and best practices pertaining to molecular testing.

Knowledge of biology, virology, and molecular biology principles.

Experience performing, interpreting, reporting and trouble-shooting virology molecular-based assays.

Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions, and instruct others in complex technical procedures.

Must meet CLIA \'88 requirements for testing personnel in a laboratory performing high complexity testing.

Management Preferences:

• Prior experience working in a federal, state or, local public health laboratory.
• ASCP certification.

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.

This position:

Works frequently with infectious disease agents that require the use of personal protective equipment, such as a respirator

Uses laboratory equipment requiring 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.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an \xe2\x80\x9cequivalent combination of education and experience.\xe2\x80\x9d 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 oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for detail.

Bachelor\'s degree in medical laboratory technology, chemistry or a biological science from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of experience in a medical laboratory in the assigned area;

OR

Associate\'s degree in medical technology from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of medical laboratory experience;

OR

Completion of a certified laboratory assistant course in medical technology or a comparable course from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of medical laboratory experience;

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Supplemental and Contact Information

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) selects applicants for employment based on job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, political affiliation or political influence. Pre-Employment criminal background checks are required for some positions.

Division of Public Health (DPH) main locations, including their grounds, are tobacco-free as outlined in the Tobacco-free Campus Policy. All tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, e-hookahs, \xe2\x80\x9cvape products\xe2\x80\x9d and all smokeless tobacco products, may not be used in the indicated areas. For more information, please see the policy and FAQ posted here:

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. You will either receive a call to schedule an interview or an email notifying you when the job has been filled.

For technical issues with your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at 855-524-5627. Applicants will be communicated with via email only for updates on the status of their application. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR, 919-707-5450.

Please refer to the link below for additional information:

NOTE: For temporary, contract or other supplemental staffing appointments:
There are no paid leave, retirement or other benefits associated with these appointment types.

For permanent and time-limited appointments:
Eligible employees have benefits that include employee health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, NC Flex (a variety of high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis), and paid vacation, sick, and community service leave, to name a few. Paid parental leave is available for eligible employees. Some benefits require 30 + hours work/week for participation.

State of North Carolina