Job Location: This position will be located at 101 N. Chestnut, Jefferson City, MO 65101
Why you’ll love this position:Does a career in Laboratory Science and infectious disease surveillance sound exciting to you?
Would you find it rewarding to be making a positive impact on public health in the state of Missouri every time you came to work? If so, then you should certainly apply for a Laboratory Scientist position on our team!
The Missouri State Public Health Laboratory has an exciting opportunity within our Microbiology Unit for anyone interested in the field of infectious-disease clinical laboratory testing. This position is perfect for anyone looking to get their start in the field of laboratory science and offers the opportunity to gain valuable, hands-on experience with some of the latest laboratory technologies while utilizing a wide variety of instrumentation.
You will be trained in both traditional and some molecular-based methodologies across an array of disciplines including bacterial pathogen detection, infectious disease surveillance, foodborne illness surveillance, and antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, you will get to see how these laboratory methods directly impact statewide epidemiology efforts, public health policies and procedures, and the citizens of Missouri.
- Process laboratory specimens received for Bordetella species culture and PCR testing.
- Process stool specimens and culture isolates for confirmation of enteric bacterial identification.
- Process blood specimens for confirmation of the presence for Plasmodium species (malaria) using microscopic techniques.
- Process culture isolates for confirmation of Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, Carbapenem Resistant Organisms (CROs), etc. In addition, process unknowns and culture isolates for potential bacteriological bioterrorism samples.
- Process specimens, raw samples, and culture isolates, for confirmation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- Research and implementation of new testing procedures including verification and validation studies.
- Perform and document proper quality control and assurance related to the above testing procedures.
Minimum Qualifications: - A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Chemistry, Biology, Medical Laboratory Technology, natural sciences, or a closely related field; and two or more years of professional experience as a Chemist, Microbiologist, Medical Technologist, Veterinarian, Forensic Scientist, or a closely related area. (Additional qualifying experience may substitute on a year-for-year basis for deficiencies in the required education.)
Lack of post-secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant.The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here .
