PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY CONSULTANT 2 - 01282025-64838

Job Information

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

For more information, visit the link below:

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/program-areas/lab/career-page/PH_Lab_Consultant_2_Environmental.pdf

Working Title: Environmental Quality Assurance Coordinator

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in physical sciences (e.g. chemistry), ecology, life sciences (e.g. biology, microbiology, health physics, biochemistry or biophysics), medical laboratory science, pre-medicine, or other acceptable science or successful completion of an accredited medical laboratory scientist program and two years of full-time professional work in the related field.

Necessary Special Qualifications:
A Public Health Lab Consultant 2 performing Clinical duties the major portion of their time must: Have graduated from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in life sciences (e.g. biology, microbiology or biochemistry), medical laboratory science, pre-medicine, or other acceptable science or successful completion of an accredited medical laboratory scientist program.

A Public Health Lab Consultant 2 performing Chemist duties the major portion of their time must: Have graduated from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, including at least 32 credit hours in the following areas: (1) general chemistry, (2) organic chemistry, (3) quantitative analysis, (4) instrumental analysis and (5) physical chemistry.

A Public Health Lab Consultant 2 performing Aquatic Biologist duties the major portion of their time must: Have graduated from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree, including at least 32 credit hours in biology, in one of the following areas: (1) biology or biological sciences, (2) botanical sciences, (3) environmental or conservation sciences, (4) zoological sciences, or (5) aquatic, terrestrial, or wetland biology or ecology or other acceptable biological science related field. Must possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator's license throughout the duration of employment.

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

Overview

Summary: Under general supervision, is responsible for routine consultant work of considerable difficulty, as it relates to clinical, chemistry, microbiological, environmental, biological and/or molecular areas and performs other tasks as required.

Distinguishing Features: An employee in this class provides routine laboratory consultant work of considerable difficulty and of a larger scope. This class differs from the PH Laboratory Consultant 1 in that an incumbent of the latter performs work of routine difficulty and smaller scope and complexity. This class differs from a PH Laboratory Consultant 3 in that the latter acts as a consulting coordinator for several service units within a laboratory division or statewide.

Responsibilities

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards:

1. Uses relevant or appropriate guidelines to determine whether test results are reportable based on laboratory, federal and/or state established policies and procedures.
2. Ensures quality control guidelines are being met.
3. Ensures confidentiality of patient information according to state and federal guidelines.
4. Examines laboratory materials, including samples, to determine safe handling procedures are followed.
5. Ensures expired materials are disposed of as required by safety rules and regulations.

1. Interprets results of sample testing from various laboratory outputs.
2. Analyzes data by breaking information down into separate pieces and determining its utility.
3. Analyzes and interprets Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) data.

1. Identifies, develops and/or provides all the training, documentation, and hands-on tools for divisional staff to develop full functional competency.
2. Develops and delivers training programs as required.
3. Trains personnel in appropriate laboratory procedures.

1. Advises upper management on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), best practices and other workflow factors to inform strategy development and decision making.
2. Makes recommendations for changes in operations which affect the efficiency and quality of division operations and services.
3. Provides guidance/expert advice regarding appropriate laboratory procedures.

1. Analyzes information and evaluates results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
2. Evaluates analytical output for correctness (e.g., quality control data) and addresses inaccuracies as required.
3. Analyzes, communicates and implements resolutions to various issues as they arise.

1. Compiles, calculates, categorizes and verifies information or data for appropriateness.
2. Compiles papers or reports or prepare SOPs and specifications for processes, facilities, products or tests.
3. Verifies current SOPs and ensures they are accurate and up-to-date.

1. Prepares records and reports to meet division needs.
2. Documents, enters, transcribes, records, stores, destroys and maintains information in written or electronic form according to established state and federal guidelines.
3. Documents procedure improvement investigations as necessary.

1. Remains current with regard to technical information and department procedures and policies and applies new knowledge appropriately.
2. Reviews information from textbooks, manuals, flowcharts and other reference sources to accurately analyze processes and procedures.
3. Actively seeks new knowledge and presents knowledge to a group.

1. Establishes and develops constructive and cooperative working relationships with all laboratory staff and maintains them over time.
2. Provides relevant information through the chain of command by either telephone, in written form, e-mail or in person.
3. Communicates status of assigned tasks or other relevant information to supervisors, peers or subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail or in person.

1. Designs and/or coordinates experimental investigations and laboratory research.
2. Observes laboratory procedures for QA, safety and/or security updates.

1. Translates or explains what laboratory data means and how it can be used.
2. Interprets policies, procedures, and/or SOPs and explains how they affect the laboratory and how they can be used.

1. Entering personal time and leave/overtime requests into the timekeeping system as required.
2. Performs day-to-day administrative tasks involving timekeeping, scheduling, ordering and reports.
3. Processes and completes all records, reports and correspondence within the required timeframe.

1. Develops procedures independently for implementing new or modifying existing laboratory programs and activities.
2. Assists in developing, implementing, and enforcing major policies and procedures as it relates to laboratory activities.

1. Uses computers to process information, data and control instrumentation.
2. Uses the Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) for record management.

1. Presents educational laboratory information to outside agencies as required.
2. Contacts vendors and other outside agencies who administer department functions to obtain/provide required information, correct errors, and/or for clarification purposes.

1. Ensures laboratory equipment is monitored for proper functionality.
2. Ensures preventative maintenance schedules are being followed.

1. Performs laboratory QA, QC, Safety, and/or security audits as necessary and assesses value, importance and quality of said audits.

1. Develops new applications, systems, protocols, and SOPs as needed.

1. Operates laboratory equipment using control mechanisms as necessary.

1. Conducting interviews for job candidates.

1. Prioritizes and organizes tasks in order to complete them in an assigned timeframe.

1. Facilitates cooperation with members of a group to accomplish a task.

1. Operates passenger vehicles.

1. Bends, stoops, kneels, climbs and reaches as necessary.

Competencies (KSA's)

Competencies:

1. Approachability
2. Decision Quality
3. Presentation Skills
4. Directing Others
5. Functional/Technical Competency
6. Informing
7. Listening
8. Priority Setting
9. Problem Solving
10. Written Communications

Knowledge:

1. Biology
2. Chemistry
3. Clerical
4. Education and Training
5. Mathematics
6. Public Safety and Security

Skills:

1. Active Learning
2. Active Listening
3. Critical Thinking
4. Learning Strategies
5. Monitoring
6. Reading Comprehension
7. Science
8. Speaking
9. Writing
10. Instructing
11. Complex Problem Solving
12. Operations Monitoring
13. Quality Control Analysis
14. Troubleshooting
15. Systems Evaluation

Abilities:

1. Deductive Reasoning
2. Mathematical Reasoning
3. Oral Comprehension
4. Oral Expression
5. Problem Sensitivity
6. Speed of Closure
7. Time Sharing
8. Written Comprehension
9. Written Expression
10. Speech Clarity
11. Speech Recognition

Tools & Equipment

1. pH Meter
2. Pipette
3. Microbiology Analyzers
4. Autoclaves
5. Chemistry Analyzers
6. Microscopes
7. Balances
8. Thermocyclers
9. Computers
10. Calculators
11. Other laboratory 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.