Public Health Laboratory Scientist 1 - 20014936 at STATE OF OHIO in BLACKLICK, Ohio

Job Description:

The Ohio Department of Health Public Health Laboratory seeks a laboratory scientist to lead work in our Microbiology section.  You will hone skills in a role that empowers you to make a meaningful contribution in public health today while it prepares you for tomorrow's opportunities.

Laboratory Scientist 1 Job Duties:

• Performs basic laboratory tests in bacteriology, mycology, mycobacteriology, virology, and parasitology (e.g. compares test results within established parameters;


• Prepares daily reagents, quality control, calibration and related materials for testing that is assigned by supervisor) provides test results to appropriate individuals following agency-established guidelines;


• Performs pre-analytical processes related to surveillance or diagnosis of infectious agents (e.g. receiving, accessioning, processing, plating, and incubating specimens for microbiology testing.);


• Prepares microbiological culture media; autoclave operation and maintenance; washes glassware; follows quality control parameters;


• Performs customer service-related duties with high attention to detail; uses computer to input and process information including test requisition and test data;


• Under direction of higher-level scientists, learns higher-level functions (e.g. protocol development & implementation) and performs more complex procedures;


• Monitors and ensures performance of laboratory equipment; performs routine maintenance and calibrations; identifies problems that require vendor support; environmental monitoring for PCR;


• Packs and ships controlled materials, organisms, and vectors (e.g. mycobacterium species, parasitic and fungal agents, zoonotic foodborne pathogens, bacterial pathogens, and viruses);        


• Assists in the training of new entry-level scientists and provides training to internal and external personnel on assigned testing procedures;     


• Maintains work-related documentation (e.g., laboratory records, test results, client/patient information) in hard copy and/or electronic form; organizes own work, cleans and maintains workspace; tracks & orders supplies; 


• Monitors and helps to maintain laboratory supply inventory levels and


• As assigned, serves as a member of a disaster recovery/business resumption team, incident response team, or similar public health response team which may include the conduct of operations on a 24/7 basis at remote locations.                               

 Applications of those who meet the minimum qualifications will be further evaluated against the following criteria: 

• ​Associates or Bachelor’s degree in a biological, chemical, natural or physical science;  


• Experience with pre-analytical processes related to surveillance or diagnosis of infectious agents. (e.g. receiving, accessioning, processing, plating, and incubating specimens for microbiology testing);


• Experience with preparation of microbiological culture media and autoclave operation;  


• Experience/ Education in laboratory safety procedures;


• Experience in operation of laboratory equipment e.g., incubator, centrifuge, thermal cycler, plate reader and washer, biological safety cabinet;         


• Experience in documenting quality control tests (positive/negative controls);   


• Experience in documenting quality assurance (reagents/ temperature of incubator);       


• Experience working with computers (word processing, spreadsheets, databases) and      


• Experience in inventory of reagents and supplies.             

All eligible applications shall be reviewed considering the following criteria: qualifications, experience, education, and active disciplinary record. 

Unusual Working Conditions:

• Exposed to biofluids and tissue, sharps, caustic or toxic chemicals and/or explosives.


• Vaccination for Hepatitis-B will be required upon employment                                                    

Completion of associate degree in a biological, chemical, natural or physical science; 12 mos. pertinent laboratory experience commensurate with job duties to be performed as outlined per approved position description on file.

-Or completion of undergraduate core coursework in a biological, chemical, natural or physical science.

-Or 30 mos. pertinent laboratory experience commensurate with job duties to be performed as outlined per approved position description on file.

-Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.                                           

Salary: