The Illinois Department of Public Health is seeking a highly motivated individual to perform the duties of Clinical Laboratory Technologist 2. Under direction, performs professional work in a state laboratory, subject to the provisions of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and Select Agent Rules. The duties of the position include, but not limited to, conducting complex tests, performing standard and specialized analytical microbiology procedures to detect the presence of enteric pathogens in clinical specimens, design and evaluate new testing methods and technologies, and provide training to lower-level personnel.
Job Responsibilities
1. Serves as designated lead worker:
Assigns and reviews work
Provides guidance and training to assigned staff
Advises immediate supervisor regarding performance of staff
2. Conducts complex tests.
Performs specialized techniques (cultural, biochemical, serological, and microscopic) to identify enteric and bacterial pathogens in clinical specimens and/or specimens referred by other laboratories and hospitals.
3. Cultures feces, urine, blood and/or food, etc., using special processing techniques and selective media for the isolation of salmonella, shigella, campylobacter, E. coli and other Enterobacteriaceae causing communicable gastrointestinal infections, by using selective media and special antisera for speciation of above groups.
4. Provides assistance to other units.
Prepares samples/specimens for testing.
Performs tests following appropriate laboratory procedures.
Analyzes results.
Prepares reports of findings.
Performs preventative maintenance on testing equipment.
5. Identifies methods and prepares clinical specimens for appropriate testing.
Prepares special stains, solutions, reagents, and media.
With precision and accuracy, records test results and reports abnormal results.
Calculates and compiles statistical data daily.
Performs and documents daily quality control procedures.
Assists in maintaining inventory of laboratory reagents and supplies.
Calibrates equipment as needed and
Maintains records of reagents used.
6. Performs and documents participation in externally approved proficiency testing which serves to measure the quality of test reagents and technical proficiency.
Evaluates new procedures and new technologies.
7. Handles, sterilized and disposes of infectious waste in accordance with the approved guidelines and procedures.
8. Performs other duties as assigned or required which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.
Minimum Qualifications
Requires a Bachelor’s degree in medical technology from a recognized college or university, supplemented by one year’s professional clinical laboratory experience; or, a bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university in one of the chemical, biological, or physical sciences, supplemented by two years’ professional clinical laboratory experience.
In Illinois, if you have eaten at a restaurant ... required hospital or nursing home care ... vacationed at a campground or swam at a public beach or pool ... drank a glass of milk ... got married or divorced ... had a baby, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has touched your life in some important way.
Assuring the quality of our food, setting the standards for hospital and nursing home care, checking the safety of recreation areas, overseeing the inspection of milk producing farms and processing plants, maintaining the state's vital records and screening newborns for genetic diseases are just some of the duties of IDPH.
In fact, IDPH has 200 different programs that benefit each state resident and visitor, although its daily activities of maintaining the public's health are rarely noticed unless a breakdown in the system occurs. With the assistance of local public health agencies, these essential programs and services make up Illinois' public health system, a system that forms a frontline defense against disease through preventive measures and education. Public health has provided the foundation for remarkable gains in saving lives and reducing suffering. Today, lif...e expectancy is 80 years for women and 74 years for men compared with fewer than 50 years at the at the beginning of the 20th century.
In the past, IDPH directed state efforts to control smallpox, cholera and typhoid, virtually eliminated polio, reduced dental decay through fluoridation of community water supplies, and corrected sanitary conditions that threatened water and food supplies.
Today, IDPH has programs to deal with persistent problems that require continued vigilance – infectious diseases, such as AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and meningococcal disease; foodborne and communicable diseases, such as E. coli 0157: H7, monkeypox, salmonella and West Nile virus; vaccine preventable diseases; lead poisoning; lack of health care in rural areas; health disparities among racial groups, breast, cervical and prostate cancer; Alzheimer's disease; and other health threats -- sexually transmitted diseases, tobacco use, violence, and other conditions associated with high-risk behaviors. In addition, IDPH has been charged with handling the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the threat of bioterrorism.
IDPH, which is one of the state's oldest agencies, was first organized in 1877 with a staff of three and a two-year budget of $5,000. IDPH, now has an annual budget of $2.9 billion in state and federal funds, headquarters in Springfield and Chicago, seven regional offices located around the state, three laboratories, and 1,200 employees.
IDPH is organized into 12 offices, each of which addresses a distinct area of public health. Each office operates and supports numerous ongoing programs and is prepared to respond to extraordinary situations as they arise.
