CLINICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGIST II - 0822100

Agency Marketing Statement

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is tasked with the oversight of communities within Illinois to achieve and maintain optimal health and safety.  With an annual budget of over $600 million in state and federal funds, 7 regional offices, 3 laboratories and over 1,100 employees, IDPH is equipped to fulfill its mission of protecting the health and wellness of the people of Illinois through the prevention, health promotion, regulation and control of disease and injury.

Position Overview

Under direction, performs professional laboratory technologist duties in disease outbreak testing, infectious disease testing and potential bioterrorism agents and blood lead; conducts and interprets diagnostic testing procedures using automated and semi-automated laboratory instruments for clinical specimens and environmental samples. Performs QA/QC activities, preventative maintenance and assists in the training of lower level personnel. Verifies accuracy of tests and reporting of results. Serves as lead worker.

Job Responsibilities

1. Performs complex analytical testing on clinical specimens for outbreak testing, infectious disease testing and potential bioterrorism agents and blood lead, report results.
2. Instructs and trains new and lower level technical staff to perform experiments on specimens in order to detect the presence of organisms or conditions using fully automated, complex analyzers.
3. Provides assistance to other units; prepares samples/specimens for testing.
4. Identifies methods and prepares clinical and developmental specimens for appropriate testing; prepares special strains; solutions, reagents, and media.
5. Serves as designated lead worker assigns and reviews work, provides guidance and training to assigned staff.
6. Performs and documents participation in the proficiency testing program.
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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 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.
• Requires working knowledge of the methods and techniques of clinical laboratory analysis, the principles of bacteriological reagents, standard micro biological examinations, and the principles, practices and techniques of chemical analyses.
• Requires working knowledge of the operation and maintenance of microscopes, analytical balance, centrifuges, distillation apparatus, gas chromatographs and other laboratory equipment. 
• Requires ability to apply sterile techniques to avoid contamination of humans, the environment and/or the specimen.
• Requires the ability to maintain accurate laboratory records and prepare activity reports.
• Requires the ability to understand and follow oral and written directions, and complex laboratory formulae and charts.
• Excellent computer skills and work experience in Microsoft software products including Word, Excel, Powerpoint etc is highly preferred.