Under direction, leads and participates in the work of a public health laboratory; performs and/or coordinates the most difficult laboratory analytical activities; serves as a lead worker by assigning, prioritizing, monitoring and reviewing the work of professional and non-professional staff; coordinates and performs staff training; and performs related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the technical specialist/lead worker level in the professional Public Health Microbiologist class series. Incumbents may serve as technical advisors to subordinate professional and nonprofessional personnel by coordinating and/or performing the most difficult tests, examinations and/or analytical activities. They also may serve as technical consultants to local physicians, clinical and hospital personnel, other agencies, and staff.
TYPICAL DUTIES
Serves as a lead worker; plans unit work schedules; prioritizes, trains, directs, monitors and reviews the work of subordinate staff; provides performance input to supervisory and management staff.
Serves as a technical advisor to subordinate staff; consults regarding complex issues pertaining to bacteriological, virological, serological, mycological, parasitological, and other public health laboratory tests; participates in various testing processes as necessary.
Prepares and/or directs the preparation of animal autopsies for rabies examinations.
Provides training for staff of local laboratories as requested.
Conducts and coordinates laboratory investigations to evaluate or improve existing laboratory procedures and to develop new procedures.
Performs comparative analyses of new methods, procedures and tests; recommends the use and implementation of new tests, methods, or procedures.
Prepares and/or directs the preparation of stains, media, and reagents; ensures their quality prior to use.
Estimates supply and equipment needs; initiates and coordinates purchasing and inventory activities.
Gathers/analyzes data, keeps records and prepares reports.
Reviews professional literature and relays pertinent information.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: Two years of experience as a certified Public Health Microbiologist in a public health or medical laboratory.
Certificate: Possession of a valid Public Health Microbiologist certificate issued by the State of California.
Substitution: Possession of a Masters Degree in Medical Microbiology, Medical Bacteriology, Medical Virology, Medical Laboratory Technology, or Public Health may be substituted for one year of the required work experience.
Special Requirement: Must provide satisfactory evidence of the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the full range of complex examinations applicable to the San Joaquin County Public Health Laboratory, including those pertaining to bioterrorism and emergency response.
KNOWLEDGE
Current trends, concepts, and developments in Public Health Microbiology; principles of supervision and training; bacteriological, serological, mycological, parasitological, virological, and other microbiological principles; techniques, equipment, and terminology used in the examination of body fluids and tissues, food, and water; safety precautions and procedures appropriate for a public health laboratory; laws, regulations, and standards pertaining to public health laboratories; causes and methods of transmission of communicable disease; principles of epidemiology; how to utilize computers to facilitate standard business activities, including word processing, data entry, and spreadsheet calculations.
ABILITY
Lead and train laboratory personnel in laboratory methods and procedures; perform standard and difficult or complex public health laboratory tests and examinations; interpret laboratory test results; evaluate and compare new testing methods, techniques, and equipment; maintain proper safety precautions and procedures, including universal precautions; use a variety of office equipment, including computer hardware and software; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted during the course of the work.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Mobility-Frequent sitting or standing for long periods of time while working with equipment or operating a data entry device; frequent walking short distances; Lifting-Occasional lifting of 30 lbs. or less; Vision-Constant use of good overall visual capabilities, particularly close focus; frequent use of color perception and hand/eye coordination; frequent reading and/or close up work; Dexterity-Frequent holding, pinching, grasping and writing; Hearing/Talking-Frequent hearing and talking in person and on the telephone; Special Requirements-May require working occasional weekends/nights/holidays; occasional overtime; duties may include stand by and call back assignments; Emotional/Psychological-Frequent concentration, decision-making and public contact; occasional emergency situations; Environmental Conditions-Frequent exposure to noise; frequent risk of exposure to hazardous materials, fumes, poor ventilation, and indoor cold/heat; occasional exposure to variable weather conditions.
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
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