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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00119357 |
Description Activated On: 7/27/2026 2:47:57 PM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. To safeguard the public health by testing for infectious agents directly that threaten the health and welfare of the citizens of the Commonwealth. |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. Perform acid-fast bacilli (AFB) culture to isolate and identify mycobacteria, with particular emphasis on M. tuberculosis complex. Use of BACTEC TM MGIT TM 960 Mycobacterial Detection System and solid culture media for cultivation and detection of bacterial growth. Use laboratory information management system (LIMS) to accession specimens, manage the samples through the testing processes, and report the laboratory testing results. Report laboratory findings to submitting agencies by entering results into laboratory information management system (LIMS) and faxing the results upon the approval by the supervisor. Decontaminate and digest clinical specimens to prepare for culture and microscopy smear. Use fluorescent microscope with auramine-rhodamine stain method for the detection of acid-fast bacilli in concentrated clinical specimens. Use light microscope with the Kinyoun stain method for detection of acid-fast bacilli in culture. Use a dissecting scope for the examination of solid culture media. Use real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol for the qualitative detection of specific pathogen DNA or RNA by means of extraction techniques, sample preparation, reagent preparation and use of a thermal cycler. Analyze and interpret results. Perform (Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization- Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) for mycobacterial identification by means of species-specific protein compositions. Method includes inactivation of organism, extraction, spotting of plate and analysis. Participate in proficiency testing to ensure and maintain high-quality standards of testing for the identification of mycobacterial species, molecular detection of M. tuberculosis complex, and drug susceptibilities of M. tuberculosis complex. Perform quality control in pre-analytical phase in sample reception, submission forms, quality of specimens; in the analytical phase using the quality controls and internal controls and post analytical testing in interpretation and troubleshooting to ensure the accuracy of the test. Perform quality control checks on equipment, reagents, controls, and procedures to ensure the reliability of test results to protect the health of the public. Documents maintenance on microscopes and other equipment and maintains appropriate records. Participate in proficiency testing to ensure compliance with CLIA regulations. Follow Bureau Quality Control and Quality Assurance Policies to ensure accurate results. Documents maintenance on microscopes and other equipment and maintains appropriate records. Provide consultation and training on technical matters for new laboratory employees, public health agencies, students and PA clinical microbiology laboratories. Evaluate new diagnostic procedures to determine the performance characteristics and/or the suitability for this laboratory’s needs through literature searches. Perform studies to improve the efficiency of testing public health-related pathogens. Prepare specimens for outsource shipment and is trained in packaging and shipping standards. Maintain stock cultures of quality control organisms as per protocol. Assist in filing, scanning and maintaining reports and documents. Maintain all completed worksheets and documents for two years. Provide customer service via telephone to submitting agencies by providing timely laboratory results and laboratory status update that aid in the decisions about diagnosis, effective treatments and control efforts. Provide technical support to submitting agencies about specimen collections and laboratory testing procedures. Engage in educational activities aimed at increasing technical knowledge and skills through literature searches and attendance at conferences. Observe appropriate safety precautions in performing all assignments. Public Health Emergency Response - This position may be given an assignment to support the public health emergency response mission of the Department of Health. Emergency assignments could at times be received with little or no advance notice and may continue for any period of time - ranging from a few hours to several weeks, depending on the nature of the circumstance. The emergency assignments may at times be performed under adverse conditions and may require travel to another site other than the employee's assigned headquarters for a period of time. The incumbent will adhere to safety policies as described in the Bureau of Laboratories Policy Manual, Chemical Hygiene Plan, and Bloodborne Pathogens Plan. The incumbent will follow Bureau quality control and quality assurance policies to ensure accurate results and outstanding customer service. Performs other job-related duties as required. Perform MTBC drug susceptibility testing for primary panel of TB drugs using the BACTEC TM MGIT TM 960 system. Testing requires standardization of the broth suspension, purity and proper age of the MTBC isolate, drug preparation, proper drug inoculation, proper dilution of inoculums, and prevention of contamination during set-up The incumbent performs bioterrorism testing when required including PCR testing and conventional methods. Communicates orally and in writing The incumbent performs other related duties as assigned. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. Decision making is made based on defined standards or the proper professional/technical discipline. The position independently performs laboratory testing in compliance with CLIA regulations. The supervisor periodically reviews on-going work progress and results of some assignments. New assignments are performed independently based on knowledge of standards and procedures. The position establishes the sequence of daily activities (unless otherwise instructed). The position decides when retesting of a specimen is in order and interprets and reports routine test results. The position consults with supervisor before rejecting a specimen, when interpreting and reporting aberrant test results, when receiving a request for test results from a third party and before amending established testing procedures. |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. N/A 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. 5. 6. |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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