General Microbiologist

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Public Health Division (PHD), Oregon State Public Health Laboratory (OSPHL) section is recruiting for a General Microbiologist (Microbiologist 2) to perform analytical testing in the General Microbiology lab.

The Oregon State Public Health Laboratory (OSPHL) has been actively protecting the public's health since 1903 by supporting state and local infectious disease control efforts, preventing metabolic disorders detectable at birth, and assuring the quality of testing in clinical and environmental laboratories. Click here for more information.

OHA values service excellence, leadership, integrity, health equity and partnership and has a strategic goal to end all health inequities by 2030.

This is a full-time, permanent position and is represented by a union, SEIU Human Services.

What you will do!

As the General Microbiologist, your responsibilities may include testing and whole genome sequencing of enteric pathogens, testing of Mycobacteria for the state Tuberculosis program, and may also involve testing of select agents for the PHEP program.

Specimen testing may include:

• Using conventional and molecular methods to identify and further classify a variety of pathogenic bacteria including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Salmonella, and Shigella species.
• Testing pathogenic bacteria for drug resistance.
• Performing Whole Genome Sequencing analysis on bacterial isolates.
• Testing clinical and environmental samples for the presence of biological select agents.
• Testing water for coliform bacteria.
• Isolating bacterial pathogens from retail meats.
• Preparing specimens for storage and delivery related to the Emerging Infections Program and Epidemiology Lab Capacity grants.

What's in it for you?
The public health division is a team of passionate individuals working to promote health across the lifespan of individuals, families, and communities. We value and support unique perspectives using a trauma-informed approach and aim to reflect these values in our hiring practices, professional development, and workplace. We are committed to racial equity as a driving factor to improve health outcomes for all communities that experience inequities.

• We offer exceptional medical, vision and dental benefits packages for you and your qualified family members, with very low monthly out-of-pocket costs. Try this free virtual benefits counselor by clicking here: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/pebb/pages/alex.aspx
• Paid Leave Days:
  • 11 paid holidays each year
  • 3 additional paid "Personal Business Days" each year
  • 8 hours of paid sick leave accumulated every month
  • Progressive vacation leave accrual with increases every 5 years
• Pension and retirement programs
• Optional benefits include short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses.
• Click here to learn more about State of Oregon benefits.

The work of this role is performed on-site at the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory, 7202 NE Evergreen Parkway, Hillsboro, OR 97124. 

Salary Range: $4,536 - $6,952 Monthly

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

Minimum Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry or closely related field of science AND 1 year of progressively responsible professional experience related to the series concept; OR

A master’s degree in biology, chemistry, or a closely related field of science; OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Attributes

• Preference may be given to applicants with experience identifying bacteria by classical methods in a clinical setting.
• Experience in creating and maintaining a work environment that is respectful and accepting of diversity among team members and the people we serve.
• Experience working as a general microbiologist in a clinical laboratory.
• Experience testing for tuberculosis and enteric pathogens.
• Experience with molecular testing including whole genome sequencing.
• Experience interpreting quality control results and implementing proper corrective action.
• Experience recording specimen data and results within a laboratory information management system.
• Experience identifying organisms and assessing the need for non-culture tests to aid in organism identification.
• Experience identifying and interpreting growth patterns in reportable isolates.
• Certification as a Medical Technologist is a plus.

Application Deadline: 11/20/2024