This information is for reference only. These classifications are no longer valid and were replaced 7/1/2020.
- Senior Public Health Laboratory Scientist
- What will I be doing?
- Do I qualify?
- Can I be successful?
- Benefits
- How do I apply?
This is senior-level professional and technical supervisory or highly scientific and technological work in the State of Missouri Public Health Laboratory.
Supervises a specialized sub-unit or program of the public health laboratory with responsibility for the day-to-day supervision and oversight of the operation, or develops and performs highly advanced, specialized tests for which there are no established procedures and serves as the technical and scientific consultant for their specialty.
Supervises lower-level professional and technical staff, schedules work to meet demands, and reviews work to determine conformance to current and acceptable standards of laboratory practice.
Reviews, evaluates, and interprets results of tests performed by laboratory staff; provides technical assistance and consultation to laboratory staff in a particular technical area, such as serology, environmental chemistry, bacteriology, and/or virology.
Manages staff in high volume testing; monitors test analyses and examinations for acceptable levels of performance; and assures that remedial actions are taken when test systems are not meeting established performance criteria.
Instructs laboratory staff in methods and techniques; assures that analyses are conducted according to prescribed methods and accepted standards of laboratory practice; reviews and evaluates quality control procedures; and ensures compliance with safety policies.
Performs advanced cultural, molecular, and genetic analyses for the identification of unusual or uncommon pathogenic bacteria; fungi and yeasts; viruses; blood, tissue, and intestinal protozoan, helminthes, and nematodes.
Develops and performs polymerase chain reaction analysis and other confirmation tests to detect genetic, metabolic, and infectious diseases.
Develops new testing procedures and improves existing tests within the specialty area.
Implements quality control and quality assurance procedures; troubleshoots equipment, reagents, and testing procedures; and provides appropriate remedial and corrective actions when indicated.
Conducts chemical analyses on complex sample matrices using advanced instrumentation and methods (mass spectrometry, inductively-coupled plasma chromatography, and ion-chromatography).
Coordinates activities in support of the statewide program for approving methods and individuals to determine blood alcohol content in breath, blood, urine, or saliva.
Researches, develops, and evaluates new testing methodologies for emerging infectious, environmental, and genetic diseases.
Develops protocols and quality assurance standards, and provides training for newly developed methodologies.
Advises public health personnel, physicians, laboratorians, and other interested parties on interpretation of tests, sampling, and testing requirements; confers with personnel in research centers and federal agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on special or technically complex problems.
Provides technical advice and assistance to management and other laboratories.
Provides expert technical and scientific consultation in a given clinical diagnostic or analytical discipline and in the application of advanced laboratory techniques and methods.
Reviews scientific literature; participates in scientific and professional groups; attends training courses to maintain knowledge of current developments in laboratory technology; and makes comprehensive recommendations and reports to administrative staff.
Exercises significant independence, initiative, and technical judgment in the performance of responsibilities; receives general administrative direction from a Laboratory Manager.
Performs other related work as assigned.
(The following minimum qualifications will determine merit system eligibility. Allowable experience and education substitutions are provided in italics below the corresponding minimum qualification statement; no other substitutions will be permitted. These minimum qualifications may also be used to evaluate applicants for Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System positions not requiring selection from merit registers.)
Two or more years of experience as a Public Health Laboratory Scientist with the Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System.
OR
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a chemical, physical, biological, clinical laboratory science, or medical technology with a minimum of 24 earned credit hours in a biological and/or chemical science; and,
Four or more years of professional experience as a Chemist, Microbiologist, Medical Technologist, or in a comparable laboratory position.
(24 earned graduate credit hours from an accredited college or university in the specified fields may substitute for a maximum of one year of the required experience.)
(A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in the specified fields may substitute for two years of the required experience.)
OR
An individualized proficiency certification for Clinical Laboratory Technologists, issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and,
Four or more years of professional experience as a Chemist, Microbiologist, Medical Technologist, or in a comparable or similar laboratory position.
(24 earned graduate credit hours from an accredited college or university in the specified fields may substitute for one year of the required experience.)
(A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in the specified fields may substitute for two years of the required experience.)
Please note that documentation that supports your eligibility (i.e. transcripts, employment records, etc.) may be required at any time during the application and hiring process. If you do not possess the minimum qualifications, please consider one of many other employment opportunities with the State of Missouri.
Do you possess the key skills which are considered essential for successful employment in this classification?
Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of a public health, medical, or other health-related analytical laboratory.
Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and applications of procedures for microbiology, biochemistry, immunology, or analytical chemistry.
Comprehensive knowledge of the scientific method and ability to conduct independent research.
Comprehensive knowledge of quality assurance programs, quality control procedures, and safety practices in the laboratory.
Comprehensive knowledge of common laboratory equipment and apparatus, and where appropriate, working knowledge of the operation, maintenance, and repair of scientific instruments, such as gas chromatographs, atomic absorption units, fluorescent microscopes, and spectrophotometer readers.
Comprehensive knowledge of statistics, the metric system, and mathematics for interpreting data and reporting results.
Intermediate knowledge of effective methods of supervision, staff training, and organization as applied to laboratory operations.
Ability to plan and organize the work of professional, technical, and non-technical employees.
Ability to evaluate tests performed by others for adherence to prescribed methods and acceptable standards of laboratory practice.
Ability to advance laboratory knowledge within specialty area through review of scientific literature and participation in scientific and professional groups.
Ability to perceive colors and, where applicable, eyesight sufficiently strong to permit extended microscopic work.
Ability to maintain current knowledge of developments in laboratory technology through review of scientific literature and participation in scientific and professional groups, and make comprehensive recommendations and reports to administrative staff based on that knowledge.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with staff members, public health personnel, physicians, other laboratories, and the public.
The following link will provide you with general information about State of Missouri employee benefits.
View benefits