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Job ID: 23063
Agency: Department of Health - Public Health Laboratory
Location: Pierre
Salary: $28.38 - $33.39 per hour, depending on experience
Pay Grade: GJ
Closing Date: Open Until Filled

The South Dakota Department of Health’s programs and services help prevent illness and injury, promote healthy places to live, work and play; provide education to help people make good health decisions; prepare for, respond to, and prevent public health threats; and support efforts to enhance quality and accessibility of healthcare. Our services touch the lives of every person in the state of South Dakota.

We recognize that employees are our most valuable resource and we are committed to promoting a culture of excellence in DOH. We trust our employees to be innovative, challenge existing processes, and make the best decisions. We are interested in employing a diverse and skilled workforce that exhibits the values of leadership, accountability, communication, integrity, and teamwork. Public health is a diverse and growing field that offers many career options for people from a variety of educational backgrounds. Imagine yourself as part of a winning team that is making the lives of South Dakotans healthier and safer.

Please visit our website at http://doh.sd.gov/ for further information about the Department of Health.

The South Dakota Public Health Laboratory is centrally located in Pierre, South Dakota, and provides medical microbiology, environmental chemistry, and forensic chemistry testing services. The SDPHL is currently seeking a scientist to join our CLIA accredited Medical Microbiology Section that provides bacteriology, mycology, mycobacteriology, serology, virology, and special pathogens testing, as well as testing to support disease surveillance activities. The incumbent will work closely with a team of scientists to provide clinical and public health microbiology testing for clients throughout South Dakota. Duties will include diagnostic testing in a high-complexity environment, data analysis and reporting, and client relations. Scientists with experience in virology, mycobacteriology, or molecular diagnostics are especially encouraged to apply.

Licenses and Certifications:
MLS (ASCP) certification or equivalent is desired.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory sciences or relevant biological sciences discipline;
• Board certified clinical laboratory scientists or scientists with a relevant advanced degree are especially encouraged to apply;
• Previous microbiology testing experience is preferred, but recent graduates will be considered;
• Training and/or experience in high complexity testing is desired;
• Knowledge of CLIA regulations and the ability to follow laboratory policies and procedures;
• Exemplary interpersonal communication skills;
• Willingness to participate in annual off-site training sponsored by the Association of Public Health Laboratories and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
• A valid driver’s license.

Knowledge of:

• clinical and public health microbiology;
• traditional and contemporary methods in microbiology testing;
• laboratory biosafety;
• quality management;
• CLIA regulations.

Skill to:

• establish and maintain competency in high complexity clinical and public health microbiology testing;
• establish subject matter expertise relevant to day-to-day duties;
• safely perform clinical and public health microbiology testing in accordance with laboratory policies and procedures;
• maintain a clean and organized testing environment; and
• interact collaboratively with the SDPHL medical microbiology team, epidemiology staff in the South Dakota Office of Disease Prevention Services, and healthcare professionals throughout South Dakota.

Ability to:

• operate high complexity instruments, including maintenance checks as required;
• operate a laboratory information management system (LIMS) and electronic test ordering and result reporting (ETOR) application
• contribute to test validation and implementation;
• contribute to client outreach and education; and
• participate in on-site and off-site training relevant to day-to-day duties.

Additional Requirements: Please attach a resume and transcripts with your application.

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers employer paid health insurance plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online: https://sodakprod-lm01.cloud.infor.com:1443/lmghr/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=M6Q
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"