Public Health Laboratory Scientist

*** THE POSITION IS TIME-LIMITED, LASTING UP TO 48 MONTHS. ***
** This Position Is 100% Federally Funded. **
*The Recruitment Range For This Position Is $67,852 - $90,580*

This Public Health Laboratory Scientist position will provide full-time on-site testing support to the NCSLPH Infectious Disease Branchs clinical and reference laboratory operations.

The primary role of this position will be focused on the implementation of new and updated laboratory methods for the identification of a variety of pathogens. Additionally, this scientist will address a gap in staffing across the laboratory focused on reducing the onboarding time of new methods by providing technical assistance with the writing of validation/verification plans and reports, project management, evaluation and implementation of new methods and instrumentation.

The primary responsibilities include method validation/verification, implementation of novel modern assays and workflows, integration of instrument platforms focused on scalability of existing methods across the laboratory, and training existing staff on new methods and processes. This position will also participate in surge testing should the need arise.

About the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH):
The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH) provides a multifaceted 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. 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 Division of Public Health and other state and regional agencies; provides laboratory consultation and training courses; and provides proficiency testing programs. Finally, NCSLPH certifies laboratories that analyze water subject to the North Carolina Drinking Act and milk under the Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance. This array of services benefit the general population of North Carolina by enhancing both human and environmental health along with effective disease control and prevention efforts.

Campus Amenities and Benefits at the State Laboratory of Public Health
Located in Raleigh, NC, the State Laboratory of Public Health offers:

• 275,000 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 center with exercise equipment, classes, and wellness activities
• Workforce development classes, including opportunities for traveling
• Employee Engagement and Staff Development Activities
• NCSLPH Employee Recognition Programs
• State Health Plan and State of NC Employee Benefits
  

About the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS):
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services manages the delivery of health and human-related services for all North Carolinians, especially our most vulnerable people children, elderly, disabled and low-income families. The Department works closely with health care professionals, community leaders, advocacy groups, local, state and federal entities and many other stakeholders to make this happen.

Compensation and Benefits:
The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit website for benefits:
Qualified applicants must document on the application that they possess all of the following:

• Expertise in the principles and practice of clinical infectious disease testing (such as microbiology, virology, and immunology); including molecular diagnostic testing, routine microbial / viral culture testing, various immunological-based testing methods.
• Experience conducting clinical test method development, including optimization, verification, validation, and implementation.
• Experience and knowledge of standards and rules of regulatory agencies associated with public health laboratory testing, including CLIA, and laboratory quality assurance practices (including total quality management and continuous quality improvement).
• Expertise in interpreting analytical results; assessing quality control measurements; and consulting with program managers, clinicians, public health professionals, and laboratory scientists.
• Experience compiling scientific data from analytical results, prepare reports, present reports of findings, and conduct root cause analyses.
  
  

Management Preferences:

• Education and experience to meet the requirements for CLIA testing personnel.

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an equivalent combination of education and experience. 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

Bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of experience in public or private employment service-related work including experience in a lead, coaching, or mentoring capacity including one year in a supervisory or lead capacity;
OR
Associate degree and five years of experience in public or private employment service-related work including experience in a lead, coaching, or mentoring capacity including one year in a supervisory or lead capacity;
OR
An equivalent combination of education and experience. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive information. Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include the beginning and ending dates of jobs worked, education with the date graduated, all work experience, and certificates / licenses. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. Answers to Supplemental Questions must refer to education or work experience listed on this application to receive credit. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. If a former member of the NC National Guard, who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.
• If applicants earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, they must attach an unofficial transcript to each application to receive credit for this education.
• Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.

Applications for positions requiring specific coursework must be accompanied by a copy of the applicant's transcript. Applicants with degrees not conferred at a United States college or university must attach verification that their degree is equivalent to a similar degree from a U.S. institution. The Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at NOTE: Applicants will receive communication via email only for updates on the status of their application or any questions on their application. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR at ....

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