MICROBIOLOGIST 2* - 01092024-53588

Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, TECHNICAL SERVICES, DAVIDSON COUNTY

Working Title:

Microbiologist 2 - Animal Microbiology

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, microbiology, medical technology, or related biological, physical or agricultural science with a minimum of eighteen semester hours (27 quarter hours) of coursework involving laboratory study related to the microbiological field (i.e., histology, soil chemistry, virology, immunology, bacteriology, etc.) and experience equivalent to one year of full-time professional microbiologic or related professional laboratory work.

OR

Licensed as a Medical Laboratory Technologist by the Tennessee Department of Health and experience equivalent to one year of full-time employment performing professional microbiological work.

Substitution of Education for Experience: Additional graduate coursework in one of the above mentioned fields may be substituted for the required experience, on a year for year basis, to a maximum of one year.

Necessary Special Qualifications: None.

Examination Method: Education and Experience, 100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Summary

Summary: Under general supervision, is responsible for professional microbiologic laboratory work of average difficulty; and performs related work as required.

Distinguishing Features: ,This is the working level class in the Microbiologist sub-series. An incumbent in this class provides a full range of technical microscopic analysis and identification of micro-organisms in their relation to disease. This class is flexibly staffed with and differs from that of Microbiologist 1, in that an incumbent of the latter functions at the entry level. This class differs from that of Microbiologist 3 in that an incumbent of the latter is responsible for supervising one or more microbiology laboratory sections on a regular basis.

Responsibilities

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work:

• Prioritizes and organizes tasks in order to complete them in an assigned timeframe while optimizing resources and taking into consideration factors such as performing tests based on number of samples submitted, time and resources required for tests, and priority of tests.
• Performs analytical methods (i.e., tests) selected for the particular sample submitted.
• Performs tasks required to support laboratory functions such as preparing reagents, cleaning and maintaining equipment, and maintaining supply inventory.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information:

• Prepares and checks specimens, solutions, reagents and other materials necessary for conducting tests.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems:

• Analyzes information and evaluates results to determine the validity of test results.

Training and Teaching Others:

• Train workers in laboratory procedures.

Processing Information:

• Compiles, calculates, categorizes and verifies information or data for appropriateness of reporting.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public:

• As Laboratory Evaluation Officer, works with private industry personnel regarding analytical methods and documentation.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge:

• Remain current with regard to technical information and departmental procedures and policies.
• Reviews information from manuals, work instructions, flowcharts and other reference sources to accurately analyze and report test results.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People:

• Assess diagnostic samples for suitability for testing (e.g., quantity, sample preservation, contamination, proper transport conditions, and proper container).
• May judge proficiency of private lab personnel.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events:

• Identify situations or circumstances for the purpose of troubleshooting.

Interacting With Computers:

• Use computers and laboratory information systems to process and access information, data and control instrumentation.

Documenting/Recording Information:

• Documents, enters, transcribes, records, stores and maintains information in written and electronic form using notebooks, file copies, computer software and etc.

Getting Information:

• Receive information on accession form and/or electronically to determine completeness.
• Gathers incomplete information by calling submitter to provide needed information such as date taken, tests needed and sample description.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings:

• Prepare various types of specimens for examination by various diagnostic techniques.
• Monitors test processes for adherence to quality control standards by comparing test results to known standards such as using positive and negative controls and acceptable appearance of diagnostic product.
• Monitors test equipment for proper functioning such as monitoring temperatures, detecting malfunction alarms and recognizing incorrectly processed samples.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards:

• Uses relevant or appropriate guidelines to determine whether test results are reportable based on laboratory established policies and procedures.
• Work within established quality control guidelines.
• Ensure confidentiality of client information.

Controlling Machines and Processes:

• Operate laboratory equipment by following instruction manual and using control mechanisms such as power switches and control knobs.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships:

• Establishes and develops constructive and cooperative working relationships with all laboratory staff and maintains them over time.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization:

• Communicate results of tests with submitters in person, in writing, by telephone, fax or e-mail.
• Communicate with vendors and manufacturers regarding performance issues, troubleshooting, etc.

Performing General Physical Activities:

• Perform repetitive activities or motions during specimen processing or analysis.
• Performs physical activities that involve use of hands, arms and legs to relocate and stock reagents, samples and supplies to testing areas weighing up to 50 pounds.
• May spend prolonged periods of time at a computer monitor, microscopes, and etc. related to the performance of tests or procedures (i.e., visual activity).
• Bends, stoops, kneels, and reaches as necessary to maintain cleanliness in the laboratory.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates:

• Communicate status of assigned tasks or other relevant information to supervisors or peers by telephone, in written form, e-mail or in person.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources:

• Monitor reagents and consumables to ensure an adequate supply for testing needs.

Performing Administrative Activities:

• Create documents (e.g., logs, schedules, tally sheets, monthly reports) by utilizing computer.
• Print labels for reagents.
• Orders lab supplies and reagents.

Repairing and Maintaining Equipment:

• Perform preventative maintenance on laboratory equipment used in assigned area.

Competencies

Competencies:

• Functional/Technical Competency
• Intellectual Horsepower
• Problem Solving
• Technical Learning
• Priority Setting
• Time Management
• Perseverance
• Boss Relationships
• Composure
• Integrity and Trust

Knowledge:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Clerical
• Customer and Personal Service
• Mathematics

Skills:

• Active Learning
• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Learning Strategies
• Mathematics
• Reading Comprehension
• Science
• Speaking
• Writing
• Coordination
• Service Orientation
• Complex Problem Solving
• Operation and Control
• Operations Monitoring
• Quality Control Analysis
• Troubleshooting
• Judgment and Decision Making
• Time Management

Abilities:

• Category Flexibility
• Deductive Reasoning
• Flexibility of Closure
• Inductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Memorization
• Number Facility
• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Perpetual Speed
• Problem Sensitivity
• Selective Attention
• Spatial Orientation
• Speed of Closure
• Time Sharing
• Written Comprehension
• Written Expression
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Control Precision
• Finger Dexterity
• Manual Dexterity
• Auditory Attention
• Depth Perception
• Near Vision
• Night Vision
• Speech Clarity
• Speech Recognition
• Visual Color Discrimination

Tools & Equipment

Competencies:

• Functional/Technical Competency
• Intellectual Horsepower
• Problem Solving
• Technical Learning
• Priority Setting
• Time Management
• Perseverance
• Boss Relationships
• Composure
• Integrity and Trust

Knowledge:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Clerical
• Customer and Personal Service
• Mathematics

Skills:

• Active Learning
• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Learning Strategies
• Mathematics
• Reading Comprehension
• Science
• Speaking
• Writing
• Coordination
• Service Orientation
• Complex Problem Solving
• Operation and Control
• Operations Monitoring
• Quality Control Analysis
• Troubleshooting
• Judgment and Decision Making
• Time Management

Abilities:

• Category Flexibility
• Deductive Reasoning
• Flexibility of Closure
• Inductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Memorization
• Number Facility
• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Perpetual Speed
• Problem Sensitivity
• Selective Attention
• Spatial Orientation
• Speed of Closure
• Time Sharing
• Written Comprehension
• Written Expression
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Control Precision
• Finger Dexterity
• Manual Dexterity
• Auditory Attention
• Depth Perception
• Near Vision
• Night Vision
• Speech Clarity
• Speech Recognition
• Visual Color Discrimination