Rev 11/2013 / Position Code
1. MICRGSTEA24R
State of Michigan
Civil Service CommissionCapitol Commons Center, P.O. Box 30002
Lansing, MI 48909
POSITION DESCRIPTION
This position description serves as the official classification document of record for this position. Please complete this form as accurately as you can as the position description is used to determine the proper classification of the position.2. Employee’s Name (Last, First, M.I.) / 8. Department/Agency
Michigan Department of Health and Human Servicess
3.Employee Identification Number / 9. Bureau (Institution, Board, or Commission)
Bureau of Laboratories
4.Civil Service Position Code Description / 10. Division
Microbiologist / Infectious Diseases
5.Working Title (What the agency calls the position) / 11. Section
Microbiologist E / Virology
6.Name and Position Code Description of Direct Supervisor / 12. Unit
Kristine Smith, Lab Scientist Mgr. 14 / Bacterial and Viral Serology
7.Name and Position Code Description of Second Level Supervisor / 13. Work Location (City and Address)/Hours of Work
Janice Matthews-Greer, Ph.D., D(ABMM) SAM 15 / 3350 N. MLK Jr., Blvd., Lansing, MI 48906
Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
14. General Summary of Function/Purpose of Position
Working as a Microbiologist E, the employee in this position is responsible for antibody testing necessary for the diagnosis of disease resulting from exposure to bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens (e.g. Syphilis, Lyme, Legionnaires’ disease, rabies, and fungal agents). The general function of this position is to perform a full range of laboratory assays for the diagnosis of diseases of public health concern. Results of tests performed are used to provide requested information to physicians, hospitals, and Public Health Departments. This position requires knowledge of assays and techniques and implements sound judgment to assure the reliability of the assays performed. The ability to organize daily workload is crucial to complete these tasks. The employee must be alert for pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical assay errors and take corrective measures when required. This position is a test designated position that will be subject to drug and alcohol testing on a random basis and following serious work accidents.
15. Please describe the assigned duties, percent of time spent performing each duty, and what is done to complete each duty.
List the duties from most important to least important. The total percentage of all duties performed must equal 100 percent.
Duty 1
General Summary of Duty 1 % of Time 70Working at the Microbiologist E level, the employee performs a variety of serologic assays for the detection of exposure to specific bacterial or fungal pathogens. These tests include, but not limited to enzyme immunoassays (EIA) and Western blot (WB) for antibody to Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme Disease) and Lyme DFA; USR, TP-PA, DFA, and FTA-ABS for exposure to Treponema pallidum (Syphilis), Rabies DFA for rabies virus, Brucella and Francisella MAT, complement fixation and immunodiffusion for Blastomyces, Coccidioides and Histoplasma antibodies, hemagglutination for antibody to Legionella, and other tests performed within the Virology Section. The employee must be cognizant of potential errors and limitations of each assay and take appropriate action including notification of the supervisor when necessary.
Individual tasks related to the duty.
· Prepare a variety of human specimens (blood, CSF, lesions, etc.) and tick specimens for testing following established Bureau of Laboratories procedures.
· Dilute antigens, controls, and serum in accordance with established procedures.
· Independently perform test analysis following written procedures.
· Operate equipment used in the unit, including, but not limited to, e.g., the BioTek reader and washer, Victor Wallac, analytical balance, centrifuges, water baths, incubators, fluorescent microscope, pH meter, autoclave, automatic plate washers, biological safety cabinets.
· Read, interpret, and report test results into the laboratory information management system (LIMS).
· Validate and review for accuracy, test results performed by technicians and other microbiologist.
· Maintain record logs (e.g., equipment logs, external and control logs).
Duty 2
General Summary of Duty 2 % of Time 10The employee performs other duties that may be necessary for the daily operation of the Virology Section.
Individual tasks related to the duty.
· Maintain a clean, safe, and efficient worksite by decontaminating work surfaces and instruments, and returning any supplies or reagents to their original storage site.
· Autoclave biohazardous material generated by the section as needed.
· File and organize patient test records, patient worksheets, QC testing or other records in three-ringed binders and/or appropriate filing system.
· Train other employees on various assays, complete training checklists and competency evaluations.
· Organize specimens and reagents located in freezers, refrigerators, and cabinets.
· Maintain inventory, supplies, controls, and reagents for the unit.
· Test purchased or prepared antigens, antisera, or other reagents used for laboratory testing for conformity to standards or usability.
· Perform miscellaneous assignments or duties as directed by the supervisor.
· Update existing procedures and perform annual review of test procedures performed in the unit.
Duty 3
General Summary of Duty 3 % of Time 10The employee performs quality assurance duties necessary to ensure reliable test results and instrument accuracy.
Individual tasks related to the duty.
· Independently perform preventative maintenance on equipment and instrumentation.
· Perform required quality control testing for each assay.
· Perform commercial and in-house proficiency testing and competencies as required.
· Review quality control results to determine the validity of assay results.
· Perform special assays, compile and evaluate statistical data for various assays.
· Attend/complete any mandatory training required by various regulatory agencies or BOL.
Duty 4
General Summary of Duty 4 % of Time 5Perform other duties, including, but not limited to, rabies examinations as may be required for the proper functioning of the unit.
Individual tasks related to the duty.
· Perform rabies necropsy on various animals.
· Prepare and examine rabies slides as outlined in the procedure manual.
· Prepare any reagents or controls required to perform the assay.
· Perform fluorescent antibody staining of fixed smears.
· Read, interpret, and report test results into LIMS.
Duty 5
General Summary of Duty 5 % of Time 3Individual tasks related to the duty.
· Cross train in Viral Serology performing tests for hepatitis, immune status, Arbovirus testing, and electron microscopy for pox and herpes viruses as needed.
Duty 6
General Summary of Duty 6 % of Time 2This position functions as a member of the Michigan Public Health Emergency Response Team, as needed.
Individual tasks related to the duty.
· Respond as necessary to a possible public health emergency, possible bioterrorism incident or event and to provide laboratory testing to assist healthcare professionals, law enforcement investigation, and public health control efforts.
· In preparation for this duty assignment, receive immunizations (e.g., anthrax) or other agents as determined necessary by the department.
· Understand that possible occupational exposure to bioterrorism agents and toxins could occur.
· Complete the NIMS courses, as required.
16. Describe the types of decisions made independently in this position and tell who or what is affected by those decisions.
1. Determines when to order supplies or make new reagents required for uninterrupted performance of assigned
tasks.
2. Determines the acceptability and accuracy of test results.
3. Determines when to retest specimens due to quality control failures and request a new sample if necessary.
4. Performs instrument preventative maintenance as required.
5. Performs testing, reports, and validates patient test results provided quality control parameters are acceptable
and results are not highly unusual.
6. All work that pertains to the operation of laboratory tests including timing, reagent volume, and evaluation of
results.
17. Describe the types of decisions that require the supervisor’s review.
1. Assay controls repeatedly out of range for any test performed within the section.
2. Acceptance of specimens for epidemiological studies.
3. Complaints from submitters, physicians, or employees in other sections.
4. Any situation or condition outside the normal daily routine.
5. Non-routine decisions that may require policy interpretation.
6. When guidelines or instructions are not available for analysis or interpretation.
7. Resulting and validating test results requiring “reportable” free text comments.
18. What kind of physical effort is used to perform this job? What environmental conditions is this position physically exposed to on the job? Indicate the amount of time and intensity of each activity and condition. Refer to instructions.
Physical Activities: Work assignments are completed either by standing or sitting at the laboratory bench top and biosafety cabinet. Work requires extensive, repetitive hand manipulations such as holding small tubes or pipetting. A small portion of time is required to carry supplies from the storage unit to the worksite. Frequent computer activity is necessary to generate written, electronic, and oral reports needed to document the work being performed by this individual. Transportation of hazardous chemicals for proper disposal requires lifting and bending (rarely more than 30 pounds).
Environmental Conditions: Laboratory work involves frequent contact with potentially harmful radioisotopes, caustic chemicals (acids and bases), carcinogens (e.g., dimethoxybenzidine), neurotoxins (e.g., ethyl alcohol), and other hazardous chemicals (e.g., 2-Mercaptoethanol, formaldehyde and phenol). Work also involves frequent manipulation of clinical specimens that may contain biological pathogens (e.g., Hepatitis B and C virus, and HIV). Exposure to potentially biohazardous materials occurs daily, however, employees are required to follow proper precautions (e.g., universal precautions, aseptic technique) outlined in established procedures. In addition, employees will receive annual safety training on the use of universal precautions, are provided with personal protective equipment.
19. List the names and position code descriptions of each classified employee whom this position immediately supervises or oversees on a full-time, on-going basis. (If more than 10, list only classification titles and the number of employees in each classification.)
NAME / CLASS TITLE / NAME / CLASS TITLE
20. This position’s responsibilities for the above-listed employees includes the following (check as many as apply):
Complete and sign service ratings. Assign work.
Provide formal written counseling. Approve work.
Approve leave requests. Review work.
Approve time and attendance. Provide guidance on work methods.
Orally reprimand. Train employees in the work.
22. Do you agree with the responses for Items 1 through 20? If not, which items do you disagree with and why?
Yes
23. What are the essential functions of this position?
Refer to Duty 1
This position is responsible for the performance of complex serologic assays for a variety of bacterial and fungal pathogens of public health importance.
24. Indicate specifically how the position’s duties and responsibilities have changed since the position was last reviewed.
No changes.
25. What is the function of the work area and how does this position fit into that function?
The Bacterial and Viral Serology (VS/BS/PS) Unit functions to identify antibody or antigen in specimens to allow interpretation of individual’s immune status, an active or previous infection, or the detection of the etiologic agent (bacteria, virus, or fungus) causing disease.
This position serves as a Microbiologist with responsibilities to perform assays crucial to the ongoing activities within the unit.
26. What are the minimum education and experience qualifications needed to perform the essential functions of this position?
EDUCATION:
Possession of a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Immunology, Biology, Clinical Laboratory Science or related field.
EXPERIENCE:
One or two years of professional experience working in a microbiological/serologic laboratory to diagnose human disease.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
1. Knowledge of methods and techniques used in diagnostic serology.
2. Ability to perform laboratory procedures, tests, and analyses in clinical laboratory medicine.
3. Ability to work well with others in a team setting, and display maturity, honesty, and good attendance.
4. Ability to communicate well both orally and in writing.
5. Knowledge of laboratory terminology and equipment.
6. Knowledge of methods for the preparation of solutions, controls, reagents, and media.
7. Ability to concentrate and display manual dexterity.
8. Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
9. Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
10. Must have knowledge of laboratory testing performed in the Bacterial & Virology Serology Unit and be
proficient in using aseptic technique.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
Must meet CLIA ’88 requirements.
This position is a test designated position that will be subject to drug and alcohol testing on a random basis and following serious work accidents.
NOTE: Civil Service approval of this position does not constitute agreement with or acceptance of the desirable qualifications for this position.
I certify that the information presented in this position description provides a complete and accurate depiction of the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position.
Supervisor’s Signature Date
TO BE FILLED OUT BY APPOINTING AUTHORITY
Indicate any exceptions or additions to statements of the employee(s) or supervisors.I certify that the entries on these pages are accurate and complete.
Appointing Authority Signature Date
TO BE FILLED OUT BY EMPLOYEE
I certify that the information presented in this position description provides a complete and accurate depiction of the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position.Employee’s Signature Date
NOTE: Make a copy of this form for your records.
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