PUBLIC HEALTH MICROBIOLOGIST (PHM) TRAINEE (LABORATORY ASSISTANT - NC)

Job Description:

PUBLIC HEALTH MICROBIOLOGIST (PHM) TRAINEE (LABORATORY ASSISTANT - NC)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Under close supervision of the Public Health Laboratory Director and Supervising Public Health Microbiologist, the Public Health Microbiologist (PHM) Trainee learns to perform a variety of technical laboratory examinations to detect and identify microbial disease agents in support of public health and clinic operations, and communicable disease control; performs related duties assigned.

The PHM Trainee will participate in the PHM Training Program as a full-time trainee. The topics that will be covered will include topics such as microbiology, virology, and diagnostic immunology. Following completion of the training and passage of the PHM Certification exam, the trainee will be eligible to be promoted-in-place to a PHM I.

For this position, the majority of the training will take place at California Department of Public Health laboratories, located in Richmond, CA. Travel is a requirement.
Non-Career employees are allowed a maximum of 1600 work hours over 12 months and are considered temporary, at-will employees who are not typically eligible for benefits. Non-career employees are not typically eligible for health/dental/vision benefits; however, may be eligible for sick leave benefits.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Obtains training on a variety of microbiological methods, including identifying and setting up bacterial cultures, syphilis serology, mycobacteriology, and parasite and mycology identification, and testing for contaminants in food and water.
  
• Obtains training on a variety of virology methods, including cell culture handling and virus identification; indirect fluorescent antibody testing; enzyme immunoassay; and real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
  
• Attends a variety of microbiology, virology, and immunodiagnostic lectures to understand the scientific principles and applications of public health testing
  
• Learns to perform routine examinations for the detection and identification of agents of communicable disease in matters pertinent to public health, outbreaks and emerging infectious diseases, using defined procedures.
  
• Learns to perform microbiological, physical, and chemical examinations of food, and water.
  
• Learns and assists to perform quality control measures to ensure accuracy of results by using standardized tests on known pathogens kept in stock; learns to analyze and interpret laboratory data; learns to maintain records and prepare reports
  

REQUIREMENTS TO FILE

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Successful completion of 9 units of laboratory science at an accredited college.
  • One year paid employment in a public health laboratory or comparable laboratory may be substituted for the college level courses;
• Possess a valid drivers license;
• Willingness to work evenings, nights, weekends, holidays or during health emergencies as needed.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working in a laboratory is highly desirable.
  
• Possession of a Public Health Microbiologist Trainee letter of approval from the California State Department of Health, Laboratory Field Services. *Proof is required at the time of application submission.
  
• A Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college or university with a concentration in Microbiology or one of the related life sciences.
  
• Incumbents must be able to work in an environment that may include exposure to communicable disease.
  
• Incumbents must complete training and pass the California State certification examination for Public Health Microbiologist within one year of employment as a trainee.
  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Applicants must demonstrate possession of and competency in requisite knowledge, skills and abilities.
  
• Knowledge of bacteriology, virology, and chemistry as related to public health lab work.
  
• Knowledge of fundamental microbiology principles and laboratory methods.
  
• Knowledge of equipment and terminology used in the examination of body fluids and tissues, foods, and water.
  
• Knowledge of common causes of disease and the methods of transmission and control of communicable diseases.
  
• Knowledge of safe laboratory practices and procedures. Knowledge of laboratory equipment and its care.
  
• Knowledge of standard report writing using proper punctuation, grammatical usage and spelling.
  

SELECTION PROCEDURE

This recruitment will close on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 11:59 pm. T o be considered, applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, proof of education(if qualifying). Applications will be reviewed for depth and breadth of experience, and for level and relatedness of education. The most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in further selection procedures. The selected candidate may be required to go through a background check and a physical examination before appointment. Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements, including submission of all required attachments, will not be considered. For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact (562) 570-7915.

The City of Long Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value and encourage diversity in our workforce. The City of Long Beach is committed to creating a workplace where every employee is valued for who they are. Having our workforce reflect the diversity of our community at various levels of the organization is a continuous goal embraced by our departments, management staff, and policymakers. To support efforts of fairness and diversity, City Leadership is committed to incorporating equity and inclusion into our work by supporting staff and community partners. We are committed to promoting transparency by publishing updated demographic information for employees, including workforce diversity data and pay by race and gender.

The City of Long Beach will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You are not required to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until you receive a conditional job offer. If the City of Long Beach has concerns about a conviction that is directly related to the job after making a conditional job offer and conducting a background check, you will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide evidence to mitigate concerns, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act .

The City of Long Beach is committed to maintaining fairness and transparency in our hiring practices. We believe in providing equal opportunities to all applicants and ensuring that every applicant is evaluated based on their qualifications and merit. If you believe that you have been unjustly disqualified based on minimum qualifications for an unclassified job opportunity, you have the right to appeal the decision. Find out more about the Unclassified Applicant Appeal Process by visiting the Applicant Appeal Process (longbeach.gov) .

The City of Long Beach intends to provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If special accommodation is desired, or if you would like to request this information in an alternative format, please call (562) 570-7915.

In support of the City’s Language Access Policy, bilingual skills (Spanish, Khmer and/or Tagalog) are desirable for positions interacting with the public.

For technical support with your governmentjobs.com application, please contact (855) 524-5627.

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Closing Date/Time: 11/13/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$18.47 - $25.21 Hourly