PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY TECHNICIAN 3 - 10292024-62693

Job Information

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date / Time

10 / 29 / 2024 12 : 00AM Central Time

Closing Date / Time

11 / 11 / 2024 11 : 59PM Central Time

Salary (Monthly)

$3,595.00 - $4,488.00

Salary (Annually)

$43,140.00 - $53,856.00

Job Type

Full-Time

City, State Location

Nashville, TN

Department

Health

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED : DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, LABORATORY SERVICES DIVISION, KNOX COUNTY

For more information, visit the link below :

https : / / www.tn.gov / content / dam / tn / health / program-areas / lab / career-page / PH Lab Tech 3.pdf

Qualifications

Education and Experience : Education equivalent to graduation from a standard high school AND Experience equivalent to three years of full-time laboratory work.

Substitution of Education for Experience : Undergraduate or graduate coursework in Science (Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, etc.

can substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis up to two years.

Necessary Special Qualifications : A valid vehicle operator's license may be required for employment in some positions .

Examination Method : Education and Experience, 100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Overview

Summary : Under immediate supervision, performs a variety of standardized laboratory tasks of routine difficulty and related work as required.

Distinguishing Features : An employee in this class performs a variety of routine assignments such as preparation of biological media (petri dish plates, tubed media, and etc.

laboratory reagents and chemical solution preparation (water blanks, pH standards, acid / base solutions, stains, and etc.

glassware washing, equipment maintenance and readiness, warehouse receiving, specimen receipt and accessioning, advanced laboratory testing and specimen procedures, scheduling workflow, training and performing Quality Control under minimal supervision all in support of the laboratory.

This class differs from that of Public Health Laboratory Technician 2 in that an incumbent of the latter performs less advanced laboratory work and is not considered a lead laboratory technician.

Responsibilities

Processing Information :

• Calculates modifications for formula changes.
• Corrects information on reports, requisitions and other documentation as needed.
• Orders tests in appropriate database for suitable unit to begin the analysis process.
• Verifies data on requisitions and reports to determine accuracy.
• Categorizes orders based on needs and priority for delivery to ordering units.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People :

• Assesses the general characteristics of the media products made to determine acceptability for use in the testing process.
• Judges how well a subordinate performs on given tasks, duties and assignments.
• Assesses workflow of area and implements changes as necessary.
• Assesses the condition of incoming inventory and samples to determine if they are acceptable to receive.
• Assesses the importance or priority of internal and / or external inquiries for customers to determine appropriate response and actions.

Coaching and Developing Others :

• Trains and teaches peers assignments to help them obtain competency.
• Mentors co-workers in their work.
• Assists in developing technical skills for students during learning rotations.
• Serves as a role model, encourages success in others and enhances trust.

Organizing, Planning, and prioritizing Work :

• Incorporates last minute and unscheduled tasks into current workload to ensure timely and accurate completion of work.
• Delegates' tasks to appropriate personnel based on the competencies they possess to ensure work is completed efficiently, accurately and timely.
• Prioritizes duties to ensure critical tasks are completed and deadlines are met.
• Prioritizes work for efficiency to complete daily assignments.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards :

• Assists in modifying and creating Standard Operating Procedure documents.
• Evaluates problem documentation and reports to appropriate authority.
• Uses relevant equipment to measure instrument values to comply with standards and report out-of-range findings.
• Uses relevant information to determine age of specimens to comply with standards.

Getting Information :

• Communicates proactively with appropriate providers, specimen submitters and others in order to obtain required information.
• Monitors supply order system for electronically submitted orders and distributes as needed.
• Receives requisitions for media, glassware, and supplies from laboratory personnel and specimen submitters to distribute to appropriate providers and units.
• Receives mail from post office and various couriers to facilitate testing processes and ensures mail is distributed appropriately.
• Receives faxes and other correspondence and applies information as appropriate.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems :

• Troubleshoots workflow problems to identify the root causes and creates solutions.
• Selects job candidates who best fit available positions based on the results of selection assessment and testing.
• Assists with LEAN and other performance improvement processes.

Performing Administrative Activities :

• Ensures completion of all records, reports, and correspondence within the required time frame to keep them organized and available for review.
• Ensures completion of all mailings, faxes and appropriate distribution of information.
• Responds to emails, phone calls, meeting requests and other correspondence as required.
• Enters personal time and leave / overtime requests into the appropriate databases as required.

Documenting / Recording Information :

• Pre-Accessions or accessions samples as necessary.
• Documents, enters, transcribes, records, stores, and maintains information in written or electronic form.
• Scans and reviews electronic records and data for accuracy and permanent storage.
• Disposes of documents and samples at the end of the required retention time.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment :

• Performs repairs on equipment used in assigned areas.
• Performs preventative maintenance on basic equipment used in assigned areas.
• Ensure equipment consumables are stocked and replaced as needed.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships :

• Networks with internal and external business partners to ensure open dialogues exist and to facilitate coordination and unified effort.
• Maintains professional working relationships with peers and upper management to ensure smooth and effective team operations.
• Establishes and develops constructive and cooperative working relationships with others and maintains them over time.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates :

• Provides regular updates to upper management and other internal customers on the status of projects and other assigned work.
• Notifies supervisor or proper authority of technical, building or other obvious problems.
• Maintains an open dialogue with internal customers to ensure effective and efficient communications.
• Communicates status of assigned tasks or other relevant information to supervisors or peers by telephone, in written form or in person.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge :

• Shares newly acquired knowledge with coworkers and colleagues.
• Reviews literature for updating existing systems, protocols and equipment.
• Attends training on new and emerging technologies and procedures.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events :

• Identifies work priorities to ensure the most important work is completed first, based on the needs of the organization.
• Ensures specimens are distributed to the appropriate areas in a timely manner, ensuring section workflows remain expedient.
• Ensures mail is sorted and distributed to the appropriate areas.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment :

• Operates pallet jack and hydraulic lift cart to retrieve and deliver specimens and supplies.
• Operates passenger vehicle to retrieve and deliver mail and supplies.
• Coordinates scheduling personnel to utilize passenger vehicle to retrieve and deliver specimens and supplies.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings :

• Monitors equipment within a specified area to maintain proper functionality.
• Coordinates monitoring of receiving areas for specimens, supplies, vendors and other deliveries.
• Monitors inventory for a specified unit to ensure adequate supplies are always on hand.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information :

• Estimates the amount of products and materials necessary to prepare media and other testing supplies.
• Determines sample acceptability for testing.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others :

• Resolves simple conflicts without supervisory input to ensure timely and efficient performance and maintains positive working relationships.
• Maintains a respectful and productive work environment within the assigned work unit to minimize disputes and facilitate performance.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization :

• Communicates with people outside the organization, representing the organization to external sources to answer questions and disseminate appropriate information.
• Maintains an open dialogue with external customers to ensure effective and efficient communications.

Scheduling Work and Activities :

• Prioritizes and assigns last minute tasks as needed.
• Determines the daily work schedule for the unit.

Controlling Machines and Processes :

• Uses either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes for testing or laboratory support.
• Operates a variety of office equipment including but not limited to copiers, scanners, fax machines, calculators, and digital cameras to perform daily tasks.

Performing General Physical Activities :

• Performs repetitive typing and practices proper ergonomics.
• Performs physical activities such as walking, stooping, balancing, lifting, and climbing to complete daily tasks.

Handling and Moving Objects :

• Coordinates handling, positioning and moving samples and supplies to perform daily tasks.
• Uses hands and arms in handling, positioning, and moving samples and supplies to perform daily tasks.

Interacting With Computers :

Uses computers, software, and laboratory information systems to enter data or process information.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material :

Inspects equipment to detect problems and report findings to appropriate authority.

Competencies (KSA's)

Competencies :

• Dealing with Ambiguity
• Informing
• Time Management
• Written Communication
• Customer Focus
• Integrity and Trust
• Standing Alone
• Perseverance
• Priority Setting
• Problem Solving
Knowledge :
• Clerical
• Clerical
• Customer and Personal Service
• Mechanical
• Production and Processing
• Education and Training

Skills :

• Active Learning
• Critical Thinking
• Mathematics
• Reading Comprehension
• Science
• Speaking
• Coordination
• Instructing
• Service Orientation
• Complex Problem Solving
• Equipment Maintenance
• Operation and Control
• Quality Control Analysis
• Troubleshooting
• Operation Monitoring
• Judgment and Decision Making
• System Evaluation
• Management of Material Resources
• Management of Personnel Resources
• Time Management

Abilities :

• Deductive Reasoning
• Memorization
• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Selective Attention
• Spatial Orientation
• Time Sharing
• Written Comprehension
• Written Expression
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Reaction Time
• Wrist-Finger Speed
• Multi-Limb Coordination
• Extent Flexibility
• Static Strength
• Auditory Attention
• Far Vision
• Near Vision
• Peripheral Vision
• Speech Clarity
• Speech Recognition
• Vision Color Discrimination

Tools & Equipment

• Public Health Meter
• Pipette
• Autoclaves
• Balances
• Computers
• Calculators
• Centrifuges
• Biological Safety Cabinet

Other laboratory and office equipment as required

TN Driver Standards

State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications :

• A valid driver's license
• For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations : driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.

Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.

Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.