Rabies Laboratory Technologist

State of North Carolina

  • Wake County, NC
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 2 days ago
Description of Work*The Recruitment Range For This Position Is $56,094 - $58,055*The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a Technologist in the Rabies Laboratory at the NC State Laboratory of Public Health performing diagnostic testing of animal specimens for the presence of Rabies virus. The primary method used for detection is Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA) methods of necropsied brain tissue.The Rabies Laboratory Technologist position will also be involved in performing new methods that are introduced in the Rabies lab. Laboratory duties this position performs includes specimen accessioning, necropsy, dissection of tissues, preparation of slides, slide staining, and slide reading and interpretation. Speciation of bats, foxes, skunks, and other wildlife are additional duties this position will be expected to perform. This position is required to serve an "on-call" schedule for emergency testing as needed over weekends and holidays as well as provide assistance to other laboratory testing areas during outbreak responses.About the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH):
The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH) provides an array of services including Laboratory Testing, Training/Consultation and Certification. The NCSLPH provides more than 125 clinical laboratory tests and more than 65 environmental laboratory tests to the public and private medical health care system in North Carolina and performs over 6 million tests annually on human, animal, food, water, and agricultural samples. Additionally, NCSLPH provides training and consultation for local health departments, hospitals, commercial laboratories, private health care professionals, community-based organizations and state and regional staff from the NC Division of Public Health (DPH) and other state and regional agencies.A staff of over 200 employees make up the organization units which include Administration, Bioterrorism and Emerging Pathogens (BTEP), Chemical Terrorism and Threat, Environmental Sciences, Laboratory Improvement, Molecular Diagnostics & Epidemiology, Newborn Screening, Microbiology, and Virology/Serology and is co-located with the Office of Chief Medical in a 220,000-sq. ft. state of the art facility. The NCSLPH has several doctoral level managers and research scientists as well as medical laboratory specialists, medical technologists, chemists, laboratory technicians, and support staff.?The Infectious Diseases Unit (IDU) at the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH) is comprised of three primary units containing various laboratories all of which provide testing services to local and state partners as well as to clinical labs for the diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, and control of communicable diseases. Collectively, the unit conducts highly complex testing procedures for the detection, identification, and characterization of a wide range of infectious agents from a variety of clinical, reference, and environmental specimens.The Virology/Serology Unit provides clinical and surveillance viral testing for public and private laboratories, as well as for associated partners. This diverse unit performs testing such as organism identification and detection that aids in the diagnosis of respiratory, vaccine-preventable, vector-borne, and blood-borne viruses. This unit is also the only laboratory performing diagnostic rabies testing in the state of North Carolina, testing 3500 animals per year. Additionally, the laboratory actively participates in the US influenza surveillance system. Results generated from this unit are utilized by a variety of partners for diagnosis, patient management, surveillance, and outbreak investigations.Campus Amenities and Benefits at the State Laboratory of Public HealthWe are in Raleigh, NC. According to Forbes, we are ranked as one of the top 20 best places to retire and the 2nd most educated city in the country. US News & World ranks Raleigh among the top 15 places to live in the U.S.220,000 square feet state-of-the-art facilityPlentiful Free ParkingEasy access to highways (70, 40 and 440), NC Museum of Art, Umstead State Park, healthcare providers, and shopping centersProximity to globally and nationally ranked universities (NC State, UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke)Fitness area with exercise equipment, classes, and wellness activitiesPatio Dining with UmbrellasFood TrucksCar Cleaning and Detailing Services On-siteAnnual Flu Shot Clinic for Employees and FamiliesMonthly and quarterly career development classes, including opportunities for travelingLibrary of academic journals and materials on-siteEmployee Engagement and Staff Development ActivitiesNCSLPH Employee Recognition ProgramsState Health Plan and State of NC Employee BenefitsAbout the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS):
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services manages the delivery of health and human-related services for all North Carolinians, especially our most vulnerable people - children, elderly, disabled and low-income families. The Department works closely with health care professionals, community leaders, advocacy groups, local, state and federal entities and many other stakeholders to make this happen.Compensation and Benefits:
The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit website for benefits: .For more information about DHHS:Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / CompetenciesThe Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants that possess the following skills are preferred:
  • Experience using and troubleshooting labware and laboratory equipment
  • Knowledge of biology, anatomy, and general laboratory practices
  • Knowledge of standards and rules of regulatory agencies associated with public health laboratory testing
  • Knowledge of the hazards of working with potentially infectious materials and how to take appropriate precautions to avoid infection
  • Ability to handle and manipulate surgical tools used in animal necropsy
  • Ability to adhere to SOPs, follow complex oral and written instructions, and instruct others in complex technical procedures
Minimum Education and Experience RequirementsSome state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See for details.Qualified applicants must possess, and application must clearly reflect work experience that demonstrates the following:Bachelor's degree in medical technology, chemistry, or a biological science from an appropriately accredited institution;
OR
Associate's degree in medical technology from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of experience in a medical laboratory;
OR
Completion of a Certified Laboratory Assistant course in medical technology or a comparable course and three years of experience in a medical laboratory;
OR
An equivalent combination of education and experience.Supplemental and Contact InformationThe North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: .DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive information. Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include the beginning and ending dates of jobs worked, education with the date graduated, all work experience, and certificates / licenses. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. Answers to Supplemental Questions must refer to education or work experience listed on this application to receive credit. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
  • Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
  • Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. If a former member of the NC National Guard, who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.
  • If applicants earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, they must attach an unofficial transcript to each application to receive credit for this education.
  • Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.
Applications for positions requiring specific coursework must be accompanied by a copy of the applicant's transcript. Applicants with degrees not conferred at a United States college or university must attach verification that their degree is equivalent to a similar degree from a U.S. institution. The Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at . Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.NOTE: Applicants will receive communication via email only for updates on the status of their application or any questions on their application. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR at 919-855-4930 or .To check the status of an application, please log in to your NC Government Job Opportunities account and click "Application Status".For technical issues with your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at 877-204-4442. If you have a technical issue with your Government Jobs account, please call their Help Line at 1-855-524-5627.NOTE: For temporary, contract or other supplemental staffing appointments: There are no paid leave, retirement or other benefits associated with these appointment types. For permanent and time-limited appointments:
Eligible employees have benefits that include employee health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, NC Flex (a variety of high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis), and paid vacation, sick, and community service leave, to name a few. Paid parental leave is available for eligible employees. Some benefits require 30 + hours work/week for participation.

State of North Carolina