NBS Laboratory Technologist

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado 

ABOUT US: 

At The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) we are dedicated to the Colorado for All philosophy - working toward a Colorado where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. 

We support the basic human rights of our neighbors regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, education level, disability, socio-economic status, or any other visible or invisible identity.  We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we strongly encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

This position will be onsite and required to report to the office located at:
- 8100 E Lowry Blvd, Denver, CO 80230

Be BOLD.....Make a REAL difference . . . join us in serving our communities advancing Colorado's health and protecting the places we live, work, learn, and play, to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.

CDPHE offers: 

• Free parking and access to RTD bus lines.

• Flexible working arrangements

• Retirement ( PERA options), Medical and dental health plans

• Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans

• Paid life insurance

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• 11 paid holidays per year and generous personal time off

• Tuition assistance 

• Wellness programs

• Professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects

• Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. For more information, go to: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/pslfFlow.action#!/pslf/launch

The Work Unit:  

The Colorado Newborn Screening Program (CONBSP) within the Colorado State Public Health Lab (CSPHL) exists to comply with state law that all newborns in Colorado are screened for the following conditions: Phenylketonuria, Congenital Hypothyroidism, Hemoglobinopathies, Galactosemia, Cystic Fibrosis, Biotinidase Deficiency, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Amino Acidemias, Organic Acidemias, Fatty Acid Oxidation disorders, Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Pompe disease, Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I, X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy, Congenital Cytomegalovirus, Guanidinoacetate Methyltransferase Deficiency, and other conditions determined by the Colorado Board of Health; to thus prevent or reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with these diseases. Also, to ensure that families of affected newborns receive proper follow-up and education for these disorders.

What You Will Do:  

This position exists to aid with the pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic components of clinical testing of dried blood spot (DBS) samples within CONBSP. Specific activities include, but are not limited to: 1) receipt and handling of samples, 2) preparation of samples for testing, 3) initial testing of samples, and 4) initial review of testing data. This position aids with general components of clinical human-specimen testing in a CLIA-regulated lab, such as maintaining a safe and organized workpace, as well as help support customer service to ensure that accurate result reports are provided to authorized recipients.

Key Responsibilities:

Analytical Testing

• This position performs analytical testing to identify newborns at risk for Phenylketonuria, Congenital Hypothyroidism, Hemoglobinopathies, Galactosemia, Cystic Fibrosis, Biotinidase Deficiency, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Amino Acidemias, Organic Acidemias, Fatty Acid Oxidation disorders, Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Pompe disease, Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I, X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy, Congenital Cytomegalovirus, Guanidinoacetate Methyltransferase Deficiency, and other conditions determined by the Colorado Board of Health. The goal of this testing is to prevent or reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with these diseases.
• This position adheres to all laboratory SOPs and safety requirements. They are proficient and demonstrate documentable competency in the performance of analytical functions for every clinical method in CONBSP, and participate in the lab’s proficiency testing and reporting.
• This position performs testing of samples on their assigned bench daily, and maintains all paperwork and QA/QC logs associated with the bench.

Maintaining Instruments and Equipment/General Laboratory Support

• This position operates, calibrates, and maintains equipment used in quantitative and qualitative analysis of specimens. They verify equipment functionality and document maintenance performed. They work with supervisors to report any issues and contact vendors when equipment needs preventative maintenance or repair.
• This position contributes to maintaining inventory of testing reagents and materials for both their specific bench assignment, as well as the overall NBS program.
• This position follows safety protocols and SOPs for setting up, cleaning, decontaminating, and maintaining laboratory equipment and work surfaces.

Pre-Analytical Testing

• This position receives all incoming newborn screening (NBS) samples and adheres to established standard operating procedures (SOPs) for performing quality checks and handling, with limitied supervision. Specimens are sorted by type (first, second, or supplemental screen) and checked for demographic completion and sample suitability for testing. This position completes routine data entry and traceablity tasks, including date stamping and labeling of received samples.
• This position refers possible unsatisfactory specimens to a program scientist or supervisor for further review, if needed.
• This position operates sub-sample distribution instrumentation (punching stations) according to SOP for production plate preparation.

Operational Support and Customer Service

• This position engages with CONBSP laboratory and administrative staff, as well as a variety of internal sections, to ensure the CONBSP operates six days a week and maintains established testing turnaround times.
• This position aids with the dissemination of patient reports to authorized recipients. The also perform other cerlical tasks when assigned. This includes but is not limited to faxing and/or mailing reports and fielding phone calls from clients and sample submitters.

Residency Requirement:

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.

NOTE: An applicant may meet the minimum qualifications for this job in one of two ways: They may qualify through their work experience alone or through a combination of education and work experience.

Class Code & Classification Description:

C8D1XX Laboratory Technology I

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience Only:

Two (2) years of  high-complexity clinical lab experience

Or

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education in Chemistry, Biology, a Clinical or Medical Laboratory Science, or Medical Technology and/or relevant experience in a high-complexity clinical lab experience equal to two (2) years

**This experience must be substantiated within the Work Experience section of your application. "See Resume" will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.**

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to the minimum requirements, the successful candidate in this position will have the following highly desirable experience and competencies:  

• Experience performing analytical testing on clinical samples
• Knowledge of laboratory testing procedures and instrumentation
• Knowledge of laboratory quality assurance and control practices
• Familiarity with newborn screening
• Equipment maintenance skills (performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of
• maintenance is needed)
• Operation monitoring skills (watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly)
• Excellent customer service skills
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing with a wide range of customers
• Knowledge of spreadsheet, database and word processing applications
• Excellent problem solving and troubleshooting skills
• Excellent planning and organizing skills
• Excellent analytical skill
• Operates analytical and top loading balances.
• Operates and calibrates analytical gravimetric instrumentation and equipment utilizing current method, instrument or
• equipment standard operating procedures.
• Conducts instrument and equipment routine calibration and maintenance following the standard operating procedures.
• Ensures laboratory is properly cleaned and staged for analyses before after the procedures.
• Maintains required documentation related to sample weighing batches and completes final reporting.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: 

• A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.

• Critical Status: Must be available in the event of an emergency, (e.g., bio-terrorist attack, chemical attack, disease outbreak or all hazards) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place.

• Critical Status: Must be available in the event of the activation of the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place.

• SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

  • CLIA certified laboratory – Must adhere to CLIA regulations, including educational requirements.

• PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

  • Must be able to distinguish between colors for a colormetric assay review.

Appeal Rights:

As an applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website,https://spb.colorado.gov/forms-and-filing. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. Email address: [email protected]. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at spb.colorado.gov.

A complete application packet must include:

• Completed State of Colorado application.

• If using education to qualify for this position a copy of your transcripts (unofficial acceptable) or diploma must be provided with application. Transcripts must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

• If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

The Selection Process:

• All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step.

• Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.

• Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.

• A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.

E-Verify: 

CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

ADAAA Accommodations:

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator at [email protected] or call 303-692-2060, option 5.