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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00269055 |
Description Activated On: 2/17/2026 4:29:55 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 public health by performing laboratory testing on infectious agents that threaten the health and welfare of the citizens of the Commonwealth. This is a position in the Division of Clinical Microbiology section under the supervision of a Microbiologist 3. |
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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. Carries out work assignments with initiative and independence. Work is technical in nature and scientific terminology is used. Work involves the handling of sensitive material and confidential patient information. Incumbent's daily workload is dynamic, and the incumbent must make independent decisions concerning the work to be performed on a day-to-day basis. Perform sample receiving and delivery of the samples to the testing laboratories. Tasks include opening packages, assigning accession numbers and delivering specimens and associated paperwork to appropriate laboratory sections and the observation and practice of universal safety precautions. Prepare culture media and reagents with the use of aseptic techniques. Use of analytical balances to measure media components, calculate gram molecular weights and percent solutions, measure accurate liquid volumes, use of pH meters to determine hydrogen ion concentrations, operate automatic dispensing machines, and filter-sterilizing heat labile solutions which ensure the quality of the products which affect the accuracy of the culture results. Perform quality control in the pre-analytical phase in sample reception, submission forms, and quality of specimens. Use laboratory information management system (LIMS) to accession specimens,and enter and approve demographics to ensure timely reporting to laboratory and public health partners. Perform quality control checks on equipment, reagents, controls, and procedures to ensure the reliability of test results including the use of biological indicators, preventive maintenance on of laboratory equipment such as autoclaves, refrigerators, freezers, incubators and water baths, interpret quality control results, and maintain acceptable methods of containment and transport of contaminated materials. Follow Bureau Quality Control and Quality Assurance Policies to ensure accurate results. Maintain stock cultures of selected organisms. Assist with the processing of food and human samples and perform bacteriology cultures by inoculating enrichment broths and differential plating media. Perform waste management for the Division of Clinical Microbiology by the collection of infectious waste and contaminated materials throughout the laboratories which ensures a clean, safe workplace through the proper disposal of infectious laboratory waste. Provide technical consultation and training on technical matters for new laboratory employees, public health agencies, students, and PA clinical microbiology laboratories. Provide technical support to submitting agencies about specimen collections and laboratory testing procedures to ensure the proper collection and handling of the specimens. Engage in educational activities aimed to increase technical knowledge and skills through literature searches and attendance at webinars. Shares with colleagues the information gained from external training opportunities to ensure that all staff has current up-to-date information. Adheres to safety policies as described in the Bureau of Laboratories Policy Manual, Chemical Hygiene Plan, and Bloodborne Pathogens Plan to ensure personal safety and the safety of others within the Bureau. Prepare specimens for outsource shipment and is trained in packaging and shipping standards. Assist in filing, retrieving, and photocopying reports, documents, etc. Assist in any section within the Division of Microbiology that may have an increased work volume due to an outbreak or surveillance project to ensure continuity of the laboratory testing. Prepare, package and ship diagnostic specimens and etiologic agents to FDA, CDC and other agencies as needed, utilizing appropriate packaging and shipping standards. Instructions for the assessment will be provided by the PA Department of Health. 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 - 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. Performs other related duties as required. |
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. The position establishes the sequence of daily activities (unless otherwise instructed). New assignments are performed independently based on knowledge of standards, procedures, and in compliance with regulations. The employee determines when repeat testing and, or confirmatory testing is required. The supervisor reviews ongoing work progress and the results of assignments. |
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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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