LABORATORY TECHNOLOGIST

Thank you for your interest in employment with Kenosha County! LABORATORY TECHNOLOGIST The Laboratory Technologist performs professional level work in conducting laboratory tests of clinical specimens, water and forensic samples as well as developing new tests when necessary.
The work requires the exercise of independent judgement and application of prescribed procedures and methods.
The position reports to the Laboratory Supervisor.
Kenosha County is committed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
2023 Hiring Range: $27.
00 – $30.
68 per hour Position Summary and Job Duties GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES • Maintain CLIA, DATCP, and DNR certifications for clinical and water testing; ensure quality control measures are being maintained and followed in these areas • Maintain lab supplies – use P-card to order from various suppliers (Fisher Scientific, Agilent, Cerilliant, Sigma Aldrich, etc.
) • Perform daily activities, including monitoring refrigerator temperatures; sterilizing and prepping water testing bottles; sterilizing and prepping clinical instruments; and sterilizing contaminated media • Perform data entry utilizing laboratory management systems and electronic medical records systems for STD send outs, confirmations, evidence, beach testing, and UAs; send well water testing results to the DNR • Perform proficiency testing, including, water, syphilis, blood leads, and UA drug screens • Perform quality control measures for testing and instrumentation, including drug and alcohol screens; annual calibration of the diluter dispenser; and GC, E.
coli, Pseudo, and Beta strep control plates • Prepare specimens received from the clinic for testing or send out to WSLH, and drop packages off at the shipping facility • Perform annual calibration of thermometers for refrigerators and incubators • Send out weights and pipettes for annual calibration – use QC calendar • Update inventories for the various chemicals and drugs stored in the lab • Maintain competency by performing proficiency samples for all areas of the lab • Continue training throughout the year for any updates in testing • Perform verification and validation for new methods and instruments WATER TESTING/ENVIRONMENTAL • Set water samples when received for bacteriology using IDEXX Colilert/Colisure • Test nitrates (within 48 hours) using Hach Instrument • Test fluorides (within 7 days) with electrode method • Discuss and answer questions about drinking water from the public • Check Lab Pure Reagent Water System: Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) – set SIM plate; perform conductivity, total chlorine, pH testing • Work with Environmental section and DNR to maintain TNC program throughout the year by testing public water samples for bacteria and nitrates and sending results to the DNR through their database • Perform beach testing using IDEXX Colilert-18 for county inland beaches in the summer months • Work with the Racine Health Department and DNR for managing the city beaches – enter results in LMS MICROBIOLOGY/CLINICAL • Prepare QC agar plates • RPR testing for Syphilis – perform test, record results in lab and clinic databases • Perform drug and validity testing on UA samples and send out results to case workers • Perform lead paint tests and report out • Perform spore tests from various tattoo parlors • Provide identification of bugs received from the public • Perform blood lead testing and calibration of the instrument every month; complete and mail/fax reports • Review STD results in LMS and Patagonia • Work with the CLIA Laboratory Director to maintain CLIA Moderate Complexity certification FORENSICS • Blood Alcohol Testing – prepare samples to be analyzed, analyze and report results (certified analyst) • Urine Drug Confirmations – prepare samples for analysis and analyze results • Blood Drugs – extract samples for analysis • Analyze Seized Drugs/Controlled Substances • Testify in court if subpoenaed to serve as an expert witness • Perform administrative and technical review on case reports • Receive and give back evidence from law enforcement agencies Success Factors Knowledge of: • ANAB accreditation requirements and ISO standard requirements and concepts • DATCP Drinking Water Regulations and maintaining certification through evaluations • DNR Nitrate certification processes • CLIA requirements for a Moderate Complexity Lab • Purchasing through suppliers and budgeting • Calibration procedures • Inventory management • How to research and learn new techniques and methods in testing • Standard Operating Procedure processes and how to follow step by step specific instructions • Drinking water and beach water testing methods with the use of reagents and instrumentation • Drinking and beach water contamination and protocols to follow • Microbiology growth medium and how it is used • Diagnostic screening and confirmation testing for communicable diseases • Safety protocols for hazardous and biologically contaminated materials • Forensic Science testing methods, particularly in seized drug testing and toxicology • Mechanical aptitude and knowledge to maintain and repair laboratory equipment • General court proceedings • Drugs and how to handle dangerous substances • Proper cleaning and sterilization techniques Skill in: • Using laboratory management software to maintain records and report data • Closely following procedures and maintaining good laboratory practices • Operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting GC/FID, GC/MS, FTIR instrumentation specifically for forensic testing, as well as other pertinent lab equipment • Quality assurance control by conducting tests and inspections of products or processes to evaluate quality or performance • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems • Strong oral communication for testifying as an expert witness, networking, interpersonal relationships, and effective presentations to a wide range of people • Strong written communication including the ability to craft correspondence such as laboratory reports, and proper documentation, including emails, with minimal grammatical and syntax errors to personnel staff and external agencies • Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint • Basic internet usage Ability to: • Problem solve and troubleshoot when testing methods aren’t working or quality controls are failing • Think analytically and critically • Adapt to change and flexibility as science and methods are always changing • Keep accurate records and make clear and concise written reports • Provide valuable courtroom testimony • Communicate with the public involving water and other environmental testing • Responsibly handle sensitive and confidential information and situations, and adhere to applicable laws and polices related to access, maintenance, and dissemination of information • Effectively interact with sensitivity with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, and persons of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, and lifestyles • Effectively work in a team environment that promotes customer satisfaction as well as independently • Always remain professional and courteous • Effectively plan, organize, and manage competing priorities and challenges under pressure • Engage, establish, and maintain collaborative partnerships with multi-cultural/multi-disciplinary staff, management, community partners, and the public • Maintain confidentiality and serve the public with honesty and integrity • Operate with a high degree of flexibility, initiative, attention to detail, and commitment • Thrive in a fast paced, robust organization • Work respectfully in a diverse and inclusive environment Job Requirements, Education, Training and Experience • Bachelor’s degree from a college or university of recognized standing with specialization in chemistry, microbiology, or other natural science • One-year professional experience in laboratory work • Master’s degree from a college or university of recognized standing with specialization in chemistry, microbiology, or other natural science preferred Or any combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Licenses or Certifications • Blood Alcohol and Controlled Substance Permit from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services within one year of employment • American Chemical Society Other Job Requirements • Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record • Access to a personal vehicle for use in the performance of the job • Occasional weekend and evening work as required • Perform other work as required or assigned including but not limited to a 24/7 response during public health emergency situations and disease outbreak investigations Benefits • Health, dental and vision insurance effective first of month following 30 days of employment with the ability to reduce premium contribution through participation in a wellness program • Flexible Spending Accounts • Employee Assistance Program • Paid Time Off • Twelve Paid Holidays • Retirement Plan: Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System which includes county-paid life insurance • Tuition Reimbursement Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The position involves light physical demands, such as exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally.
Selection Process • Application Review - Qualifying • Oral Interview - Qualifying • Background Check - Qualifying • Drug Screen - Qualifying If you require accommodations at any point in the selection process because of a disability, please notify Human Resources in advance for arrangements.
To learn more about Kenosha County Public Health, please visit: https://www.
kenoshacounty.
org/297/Public-Health-Services Applications must be submitted no later than Sunday, December 3, 2023.
Kenosha County is a Wisconsin Retirement System participating employer.
Your participation is required, which includes an employee contribution.
The pay grade for this position is NE10 (Min.
$27.
00 – Max.
$34.
36 per hour).
This position is located in Kenosha County, a growing community along the shores of Lake Michigan and less than an hour away from Milwaukee and Chicago.
To see why Kenosha County is a great place to live, work, and play, visit: https://www.
visitkenosha.
com/ Thank you for your interest in employment with Kenosha County! Kenosha County is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.