Microbiologist II-III

Overview

Element has a current opening for a Microbiologist II-III at our North Liberty, IA location. Under general direction, the Microbiologist II-III performs moderate to highly complex laboratory testing and analysis on bacterial and fungal isolates to provide information to the SENTRY program, new drug development protocols and clinical trial protocols. Utilizes professional skill and judgement to perform a variety of microbiology procedures within the laboratory.

Responsibilities

• Processes incoming bacterial and fungal isolates following safety guidelines and using required
  PPE, selects and labels appropriate media and properly streaks for isolation.
• Assesses isolates that are received using professional judgment, knowledge of organism
  characteristics, MALDI-TOF and biochemical tests to properly identify organisms prior to banking.
• Performs MALDI-TOF isolate identifications and interprets results.
• Properly pulls frozen isolates from the bank for SENTRY, drug development protocol testing, and
  clinical trials.
• Prepares for susceptibility runs by performing purity checks, removing MIC panels from freezers,
  labeling of panels and tubes, and loosening caps on media tubes.
• Participates in all aspects of MIC testing including subbing isolates, preparing inoculums,
  pipetting, and running inoculating instruments.
• Interprets MICs results from broth microdilution, agar dilution, disk diffusion and Etest®
  methodologies.
• Observes and ensures coworkers are following safety guidelines and brings issues to the safety
  committee, as necessary.
• Participates on the clinical trial team or alternatively, is a member of the fungal team and is
  deemed proficient in two or more areas (fungal processing, yeast or mould susceptibility testing,
  etc.), as dictated by business needs.
• Performs highly complex quantitative and qualitative analysis on microbiological clinical trial
  and/or research isolates.
• Participates in new drug development protocols and/or clinical trial protocols which includes an
  array of susceptibility testing techniques such as broth microdilution + disks and/or Etest®, agar
  dilution, time-kills, PAEs.
• Follows GCP and CLIA regulations and guidelines for processing of clinical trial isolates, including
  chain of custody procedures.
• Participates in the overall quality assurance program by performing QC testing and documenting
  results appropriately.
• Monitors QC within the laboratory and implements effective corrective action. Investigates and
  resolves problems related to testing procedures.
• Serves as a subject matter expert in two or more areas in the laboratory, as deemed appropriate
  by managers.
• Supplies a reliable source of information and leadership to coworkers.
• Provides technical direction and oversight to Microbiologists for complex testing and
  analysis of microbiological isolates.
• Participates in training of Laboratory Assistants and Microbiologists on testing techniques
  and result interpretation, as requested by Lab Coordinator or Laboratory Manager.
  Assists with writing, revising and implementation of laboratory procedures according to CLSI and
  regulatory guidelines.
• Looks for ways to enhance operational efficiencies, increase productivity and decrease costs.
• Demonstrates professional development.
• Demonstrates strong communication skills and communicates appropriately and effectively to
  coworkers and management.
• Communicates effectively with vendors and service providers, as needed.
• Demonstrates ability to coordinate testing for multiple protocols simultaneously without
  compromising quality.

Skills / Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a laboratory science field from an accredited college or university or an equivalent combination of EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE is required.
• Certification by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists or National Certifying Agency is desirable.
• Previous experience conducting antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacteria and fungi (yeasts and molds) using broth microdilution, agar dilution, and disk/test strips is preferred
• Familiarity with organism morphology (bacteria and/or fungi), 3-5 years of clinical laboratory work in a microbiology laboratory, and experience with MALDI-TOF for organism identification is required
• Will also have good communication and organizational skills and work well in a team environment