Microbiologist II

Under the general supervision of the Zoonotic Virology Group Manager and technical guidance of the Rabies Identification Team Leader, the successful candidate will utilize Biosafety Level 2/3 safety practices to perform complex rabies diagnostic work, including routine testing, microscopic examinations, RT-PCR, typing rabies strains, isolation, identification of rabies, and reagent preparation by following standard protocols.

Responsibilities include maintaining both the necropsy and general rabies laboratories, performing duties with moderate latitude to interpret standard protocol, and utilizing scientific knowledge, initiative, independent judgment, and experience.

1. Attend work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and perform other duties as assigned.
2. Perform testing on all rabies specimens daily by fluorescent antibody techniques with 100% accuracy, including preparing slides, staining slides, and interpreting immunofluorescence for definitive diagnosis of rabies.
3. Determine if repeat testing is needed, enter and validate results in the laboratory information system, and perform work in the necropsy laboratory, including checking in specimens, necropsying heads, removing brains, and dissecting brain material.
4. Perform testing on weekends, holidays, and on an emergency basis as necessary, respond to questions, problems, and emergency requests for rabies testing after routine business hours on an on-call basis, and verify that all specimens are processed within the time frame specified in the procedure manual.
5. Perform additional procedures to type or confirm rabies diagnosis, including typing rabies positive specimens by monoclonal antibody immunofluorescent staining and inoculating all appropriate specimens into neuroblastoma cell cultures.
6. Prepare slides for rabies positive specimens for monoclonal typing, either directly from the specimen or from an amplified culture, identify rabies strains by immunofluorescent monoclonal antibody typing, and determine if additional testing is needed and perform additional testing procedures.
7. Propagate neuroblastoma cells for rabies isolation, inoculate all appropriate specimens into neuroblastoma cell cultures, test cell cultures for rabies virus by fluorescent antibody procedures, and perform and assist with RT-PCR testing.
8. Record all additional work on work logs and enter all results in the lab information system.
9. Prepare adequate supplies of high-quality reagents for routine rabies diagnostic work, including preparation of conjugates, brain diluent suspensions, media, and buffers.
10. Assist in maintaining all rabies laboratory areas, including restocking supplies, sharpening knives, and autoclaving waste and tools.
11. Perform and document quality control testing on all new reagents, including sensitivity and specificity for antibodies and conjugates, arrange for shipments of reagents to affiliated laboratories within one week of request, and prepare shipments of infectious material to reference laboratories for confirmatory or other testing.
12. Prepare specimens for use by other sections or organizations, including packaging appropriate specimens for shipment.
13. Assist in development of new procedures, provide input to optimize efforts, and document all development work thoroughly.
14. May assist with training or provide training to co-workers and guest laboratorians, assist other staff in their duties, and provide additional support to maintain a high quality of work.
15. Notify supervisory personnel of equipment malfunctions or test failures immediately, providing an assessment of the failure and making recommendations to prevent additional failures in the future.
16. Perform monthly preventive maintenance duties on equipment, review the literature on a regular basis, and provide summaries to other employees of new techniques or research related to rabies diagnosis.
17. Perform cross-training within the group and/or branch as assigned by the Group/Branch Manager, participate in continuing education opportunities as available, and process orders for general laboratory supplies.
18. Call out negative results and email non-negative results as needed to zoonosis if MIC III or Team Lead are unavailable.
19. Based on your work area, consistently comply with DSHS Laboratory, local, state, and federal guidelines to ensure a safe functioning laboratory.

The successful candidate will possess knowledge of medical virology principles and practices, including laboratory safety, aseptic technique, and handling of pathogenic organisms, as well as knowledge of microscopy, immunological techniques, and cell culture techniques.

They will also have the ability to organize daily workload and set priorities to routine work, maintain accurate records, and evaluate problem situations and determine appropriate actions.

Additionally, they will be able to recall details on specimens submitted, perform all procedures in rabies diagnosis, lift heavy items, work with sharp and dangerous tools, and tolerate unpleasant odors, sights, and conditions.

They will also have the ability to follow laboratory procedures accurately, concentrate on minute details over an extended period of time, maintain work efficiency under heavy stress, communicate effectively in oral and written form, and follow written and verbal instructions.

Furthermore, they will be able to use various items of laboratory equipment, including a computer for word processing, spreadsheet, and database analysis and results reporting, and interact effectively with staff, work independently, work in harmony with other team members, and follow standard operating procedures and protocols.

They will also possess skill in manipulating standard laboratory equipment with speed, accuracy, and safety.

None

Required: Bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in a chemical, physical, biological, or clinical laboratory science or medical technology from an accredited institution, or 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.

Preferred but not required: Laboratory experience identifying viruses using diagnostic methods, experience working in an animal diagnostic laboratory or veterinary animal clinic, experience with performing immunofluorescence testing, and knowledge and experience with molecular principles and techniques.