This is a senior microbiologist position with the Utah Public Health Laboratory, Microbiology program – Virology & Immunology laboratory.

The incumbent in this position acts as a lead microbiologist overseeing the performance of nucleic acid amplification testing, including PCR and sequencing within the Virology and Immunology Laboratory. The person in this position is tasked with delegating work assignments as needed, monitoring and reviewing quality of work, and assisting in the scheduling of staff performing nucleic acid amplification testing. The person in this position also provides technical assistance or training, and input on performance appraisal of staff performing nucleic acid amplification testing in the laboratory.

The incumbent in this position will work alongside the lead immunologist and lead virologist in performing and overseeing the performance of screening and confirmatory testing for HIV, Syphilis, Chlamydia trachomatis, Gonorrhea, Herpes, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B & C, respiratory viruses, and other viral infections and diseases.

In addition to acting as the nucleic acid lead, the incumbent’s duties also include maintenance of mammalian cell lines, performance of animal necropsy, preparation of specimens for laboratory analysis, preparing media, solutions, and reagents, and other duties as required to assist in the detection of herpes viruses, respiratory viruses, and other viruses and pathogenic microbes.

Duties also include performance of ELISA and EIA procedures utilizing automated equipment and machines for the detection of HIV, Syphilis (IgG, RPR, TP-PA), Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B (Ag & Ab), Hantavirus, and other diseases.

Duties may also include the utilization and/or development/troubleshooting of communication interfaces between laboratory equipment and laboratory information systems.

As a senior microbiologist, incumbents will interpret, clarify, explain and apply agency policy and procedures, business practices, federal or state laws and regulations as they apply to the virology/serology section, lead or functionally supervise staff, delegate work assignments, monitor/review testing process or practices, provide technical assistance or training, and/or provide input on performance appraisal, hiring and discipline. Incumbents may assist the laboratory supervisor in the development and validation of new tests, the resolution, documentation, and monitoring of QA/QC issues or projects, scheduling of staff, and the maintenance and resupply of laboratory materials and equipment inventories.

Only persons selected for an interview will be contacted.

All questions must be answered fully. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. Please refrain from entering “see resume” as an answer. Cutting and pasting pertinent information from your resume is acceptable, but should be edited to be a precise answer to the question.

As a condition of employment, this position requires compliance with the Utah Department of Health Employee Immunization policy. Applicants can view a copy of the policy by cutting pasting the following link into a browser. http://health.utah.gov/documents/08.22Immunization.pdf