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Job Category:
Academic Staff
Employment Type:
Regular
Job Profile:
Microbiologist I
Job Summary:
The Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) is the state's public and environmental health laboratory. As part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the WSLH is committed to exploring new ideas which benefit the state, the nation and the world. The WSLH Communicable Disease Division (CDD) provides essential laboratory support in accordance with the public health goals of the state and the Wisconsin Division of Health Services (WDHS), performing over 150 clinical diagnostic and surveillance tests in support of WDHS, Wisconsin clinical laboratories, other state and regional public health laboratories and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Communicable Disease Division of the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene is seeking a Microbiologist I or Microbiologist II to join the Bacteriology Team. The employee in this position works under close supervision as a member of a team of 8 microbiologists. Duties of this position include (not limited to): Manipulation of patient and reference samples suspected or known to contain pathogens of public health significance, following test procedures for various assays to produce reliable results, entering specimen data and communications into the CDD Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), generating worksheets, preparing laboratory reports and performing other routine laboratory activities as needed. This position will use aseptic technique to perform conventional microbiology culture methods as well as molecular diagnostic testing on patient specimens and microorganisms of public health significance. This position will participate in ongoing quality control, assurance and improvement activities. This position may also participate in new method development, test costing, method evaluation, test validation, writing of standard operating procedures (SOP) and the occasional instruction of new staff, laboratorians, students and medical personnel in laboratory procedures.
The position is on-site at 2601 Agriculture Drive, Madison, WI 53718. Work hours are 7:45-4:30, Monday through Friday with occasional weekend, holiday and public health emergency response work required.
Microbiologist I: Performs testing services within a microbiology laboratory including human, animal, and plant diagnostics, surveillance, screening, environmental monitoring, and forensic science to report clear and concise testing results.
**Microbiologist I job duties listed below under key responsibilities.
Microbiologist II: Performs, develops, evaluates, and prepares testing services within a microbiology laboratory including human, animal, and plant diagnostics, surveillance, screening, environmental monitoring, and forensic science to report clear and concise testing results.
10% - Isolates and maintains cultures of microorganisms from specimens and samples for identification and classification
5% - Propagates and maintains cell lines and cultures for microorganism isolation or assay procedures and leads procedural laboratory biological risk assessments
20% - Performs, interprets and reports microbiological tests or assays for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of illnesses or determine sources of contamination in the environment
15% - Prepares specimens for scientific examination and analysis of highly complex assays and/or prepares the laboratory for accreditation audits/inspections
5% - Develops and conducts biological or environmental research experiments, performs routine quality reviews and root cause or risk analysis, and implements a plan of action to resolve issues employing quality control and quality assurance practices and adhering to regulatory standards and requirements
10% - Operates, maintains, and troubleshoots laboratory instrumentation and information management systems. May work with vendors in equipment service, troubleshooting and supplier issues
15% - Prepares, reviews, verifies, and reports test result data
5% - Establishes and maintains partnerships with internal and external stakeholders and communicates research updates
5% - Supports and/or trains new employees, students, and other professional colleagues
5% - Participates in educational and outreach activities and other professional development
5% - Supports new test development and validation studies and assists in bringing new technologies to the work unit with assistance
Key Job Responsibilities:
- Isolates and maintains cultures of microorganisms from specimens and samples for identification and classification - 10%
- Conducts biological research experiments employing quality control and quality assurance practices and adhering to regulatory standards and requirements - 10%
- Prepares specimens for scientific examination and analysis and/or prepares the laboratory for accreditation audits/inspections - 10%
- Communicates with internal and external stakeholders as needed - 5%
- Performs, interprets, and reports microbiological tests or assays for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of illnesses or determine sources of contamination in the environment - 35%
- Propagates and maintains cell lines and cultures for microorganism isolation or assay procedures - 5%
- Participates in educational and outreach activities and other professional development - 5%
- Prepares, reviews, verifies, and reports test result data - 10%
- Operates and maintains laboratory instrumentation and information management systems - 10%
Department:
Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene – Communicable Disease Division – Bacteriology
Compensation:
This position is posted at multiple levels. Title and salary to be determined upon hire based on experience.
Minimum Salary for Microbiologist I: $52,900/year
Minimum Salary for Microbiologist II: $57,000/year
· Depending on the experience of a successful candidate, the position will pay according to the salary administration guidelines.
· Actual pay is determined at hire and is based on experience and qualifications.
· This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. For a summary of benefits, please see http://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf.
Required Qualifications:
WSLH clinical services are certified through the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA), and accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP).
Candidate must meet 42 CFR § 493.1489 Standard; Testing Personnel qualifications, High Complexity Testing.
Microbiologist I: 0-2 years previous experience, or equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job.
Microbiologist II: 2+ years previous relevant work experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job. 2+ years’ work experience in a clinical laboratory setting performing high complexity clinical testing; preferred.
Must be able to visually distinguish colors. A color vision screening test is required prior to an offer of employment.
Education:
At minimum, a Bachelor of Science degree in a chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science or medical technology from an accredited institution, is required.
An official (or copy of an official) transcript showing conferred degree will be required as a condition of employment.
For degrees earned outside of the United States, proof of qualification equivalency is required and must be performed by a nationally recognized organization such as the National Association Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) (http://www.naces.org) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (http://www.aice-eval.org).
The candidate is responsible for all expenses related to acquiring and providing proof of qualifications.
How to Apply:
To begin the application process please click on the "Apply Now" button. You will need to upload the following documents:
1. A current resume.
2. A cover letter that addresses your qualifications, knowledge, skills, and abilities, or a past experience that would support your success in
the role.
Please note that there is only one attachment field. You must upload all your documents into the one attachment field.
Application reviewers will evaluate the materials you submit (your resume and cover letter) to identify qualified applicants who will advance in the recruitment process. Please ensure that your application is complete and submitted by the deadline (“apply by “date at the top of the posting) to be considered for this position.
WSLH does not sponsor work visas at the time of hire or anytime during employment for this position. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility Form I-9.
The selected applicant will be required to pass a criminal background check prior to an offer of employment.
Contact Information:
Please contact Kelsey Bailey, kelsey.bailey@slh.wisc.edu with questions.
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.
To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.