Job Information
DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES Microbiologist II in Austin, Texas
Job/Position DescriptionUnder the moderate supervision of the TB Clinical Group Manager, and with coordination with the Tuberculosis Diagnostics Team Leader, performs moderately complex to complex microbiological tasks. Examines and interprets liquid and solid mycobacterial culture media, evaluates prior testing results, and determines course-of-action. Maintains patient and culture records. Performs microscopic examination of clinical specimens and culture isolates. Processes clinical specimens for the isolation of acid-fast bacilli (AFB - Mycobacterium tuberculosis and related bacteria) and fungal organisms. Harvests positive cultures and saponifies mycolic acids from samples for identification by mycolic acid high performance liquid chromatography. Maintains the necessary equipment, reagents, and supplies for testing. Conducts, evaluates, qualifies, and documents team personnel training on technical and support tasks as assigned. Completes other duties as assigned. Duties performed with adherence to standard protocol but with limited use of scientific knowledge, initiative, and judgment. Essential Job FunctionsAttends work on a regular basis and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.Based on the work area, consistently complies with DSHS Laboratory, local, state and federal guidelines to ensure a safe functioning laboratory. EJF 1. Examines and interprets liquid and solid mycobacterial culture media, evaluates prior testing results, and determines course-of-action. Determines organism morphology and isolates organism(s) from culture media and from mixed cultures and subcultures to appropriate media. Consults with the senior microbiologist and Team Leader regarding problems or unusual cultures. Duties performed on a rotational basis. (25%)EJF 2. Under the technical guidance of the Team Leader, performs microscopic examination of clinical specimens and culture isolates. Stains, examines, interprets, and reports AFB from clinical specimens by direct fluorochrome smear microscopy based on AFB morphology, fluorescence, and quantity. When necessary, overstains the direct fluorochrome smear to examine the smear microscopically using the Ziehl Neelsen or Kinyoun staining procedure. Performs microscopic examination and interpretation of organisms from culture media by Ziehl Neelsen or Kinyoun stain. Trains others to perform the staining procedures. Duties performed on a rotational basis. (20%)EJF 3. Under the technical guidance of the Team Leader, processes clinical specimens for the isolation of acid-fast bacilli (AFB - Mycobacterium tuberculosis and related bacteria) and fungal organisms. Decontaminates non-sterile specimens by NALC-sodium hydroxide method; concentrates specimens by centrifugation. Inoculates concentrated specimens to liquid and solid primary isolation media; prepares smears of concentrated specimens for staining while making no inoculation mistakes and having no evidence of cross-contamination. Trains others to perform these tests. Harvests positive cultures and saponifies mycolic acids for identification by mycolic acid high- performance liquid chromatography. Duties performed on a rotational basis. (25%) EJF 4. Maintains patient and sample records. Orders laboratory information system (LabWare) tests as needed for identification. Creates batches and completes appropriate log sheets and meets daily deadlines. Enters test results into LabWare and meets daily deadlines. Trains others to perform https://jobshrportal.hhsc.state.tx.us/ENG/CareerPortal/job_profile.cfm?szOrderID=601092 Copy the URL in the preceding sentence to an Internet Explorer browser to apply to the job directly through the Texas Health and Human Services Career Portal.