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, 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.
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).
Key Job Responsibilities:
Prepares specimens for scientific examination and analysis and/or prepares the laboratory for accreditation audits/inspections - 10%
Prepares technical reports - 10%
Propagates and maintains cell lines and cultures for microorganism isolation or assay procedures - 5%
Prepares, reviews, verifies, and reports test result data - 10%
Performs, interprets, and reports microbiological tests or assays for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of illnesses or determine sources of contamination in the environment - 35%
Participates in educational and outreach activities and other professional development - 5%
Isolates and maintains cultures of microorganisms from specimens and samples for identification and classification - 10%
Operates and maintains laboratory instrumentation and information management systems - 10%
Conducts biological research experiments employing quality control and quality assurance practices and adhering to regulatory standards and requirements - 10%
Communicates with internal and external stakeholders as needed - 5%