State of Maryland

A Public Health Laboratory Scientist General I is the entry level of work performing public health analytical, diagnostic, environmental and epidemiological laboratory testing in a public health laboratory.  Employees in this classification perform a variety of laboratory tests, assays, analytical procedure validations and quality assurance and quality control studies in such fields as analytical and environmental chemistry, diagnostic and environmental microbiology and immunology, biochemistry, molecular biology and virology.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive close supervision from a Public Health Laboratory Scientist Supervisor.  Work is performed in a laboratory setting.  Employees may be required to work evenings, weekends and holidays.  Employees are required to observe infection control precautions in order to prevent contamination and the spread of disease.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Public Health Laboratory Scientist General I, Public Health Laboratory Scientist II, and Public Health Laboratory Scientist III are differentiated on the basis of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The Public Health Laboratory Scientist General I performs duties under close supervision.   The Public Health Laboratory Scientist General II performs duties under close supervision at times and under general supervision at other times depending upon the complexity of the specific duty being performed.  The Public Health Laboratory Scientist General III performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Learns to safely handle and dispose of infectious microorganisms, radiochemicals and hazardous chemicals;

Learns to operate and troubleshoot specialized laboratory instrumentation, e.g. HPLC, GC/MS, atomic absorption spectrophotometer, flow cytometer, DNA sequencer, hematology analyzer;

Learns to maintain maintenance logs on laboratory instrumentation;

Learns to assess the acceptability and appropriateness of test specimens and samples;

Learns to follow laboratory protocols, standard operating procedures, operate laboratory instruments and report test results in compliance with laboratory policy, State regulations and federal standards for medical or environmental laboratories;

Learns to employ quality control, quality assurance measures and continuing quality improvement processes individually and through team efforts;

Keeps abreast of changes and developments in laboratory science and takes part in continuing education to enhance knowledge and skills;

Learns to produce standard operating procedures and quality assurance manuals, coordinate tasks with co-workers, complete reports and prepare and deliver presentations;

Learns to propagate and identify viruses in tissue culture;

Learns to conduct chemical analyses of food, water, air, pharmaceuticals and industrial effluents for purity, potency, environmental hazards and pollutants;

Learns to culture, isolate and identify infectious and environmental microorganisms from blood, body tissues, water, and foods;

Learns to conduct sequence determinations of viral and microbial genomes;

Learns to conduct biochemical and bioimmunological assays to screen populations for genetic disorders;

Learns to perform molecular techniques, e.g., PFGE and PCR, to identify and track microbial isolates for epidemiological purposes;

Learns to personally participate in proficiency testing;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of college-level biology, chemistry, and medical laboratory technology applicable to public health laboratory practice in biochemistry, environmental chemistry, microbiology, virology, immunology, and molecular biology;

Knowledge of mathematics, including algebra and statistics;

Ability to learn theory and operation of common laboratory supplies, chemicals, equipment and instruments used in medical and public health laboratories;

Ability to understand and follow laboratory procedures and policies;

Ability to use common diagnostic and environmental laboratory supplies, reagents, chemicals and equipment;

Ability to learn the application of standard precautions in handling potentially infectious biological materials and hazardous chemicals;

Ability to perform analytical laboratory procedures accurately and precisely;

Ability to communicate effectively and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and customers.

Education:   A Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Genetics, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Medical Technology, Pharmacy or Zoology from an accredited college or university.

Experience: None.

Note: Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Health Science Research Officer classifications or Medical Laboratory Specialists specialty codes in the Science related field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit G- Engineering, Scientific and Administrative Professionals classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial, and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series.  NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance level in a classification series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series, an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class, as defined by the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.