Public Health Technologist, Environmental Microbiology

Job Summary:

The Technologist, Environmental Microbiology, performs routine analysis of water, food, environmental and clinical samples using various techniques to detect surrogate or indicator organisms and infectious disease agents for public health audits and surveillance and for confirmation of food-borne, waterborne and gastrointestinal (GI) disease outbreaks, evaluates and verified results, interprets data and prepared related reports and is responsible for routine quality control and maintenance of equipment and facilities.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1. Participates in day-to-day work activities in the Environmental Microbiology Program by testing drinking, recreational and waste water with membrane filtration, multiple tube fermentation and enzyme substrate procedure for detection and identification of indicator organisms for public health audits and surveillance.
2. Performs routine analysis of ready-to-eat food for surrogate or indicator organisms in assessing sanitary quality.
3. Participates in food-borne and waterborne disease outbreak investigation by testing food, water, environmental and clinical samples for disease-causing organisms using microscopic, culturing, biochemical and immunological techniques.
4. Prepares stock solutions and reagents following standard operating procedures.
5. Responds to requests and inquiries for all referred in tests. Seeks direction as required from the Technical Coordinators, Team Lead, Site Supervisor, Laboratory Operations Manager or Program Head/Medical Director as appropriate on customer service issues.
6. Performs all related functions required for the production of final reports such as preparing, testing and assessing quality control results prior to release of laboratory results, troubleshoots sample adequacy and prepares dilutions as required according to established procedures.
7. Maintains and documents maintenance of laboratory equipment. Recognizes and reports malfunctions in equipment.
8. Participates in quality assurance programs for the Analytical Section through methods such as gathering data on turn-around-times (TAT) for test procedures, and monitoring performance and quality indicators. Reports occurrences according to standard operating procedures.
9. Provides input in the development and maintenance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the Analytical Section and making recommendations for changes.
10. Assists with information management, such as workload statistics, through methods such as gathering information, completing analysis and recording information.
11. Demonstrates routine laboratory procedures to students and technologists.
12. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience
• Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology and certification with the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) OR Bachelor of Science in Microbiology or related biological science relevant to the assigned section plus one year of recent, related experience including experience in a clinical and research based laboratory or an equivalent combination of education, training and recent related experience.

Skills and Abilities
• Basic knowledge of microbiology, molecular biology and biosafety
• Demonstrated ability in writing scientific manuscripts an asset and performing literature searches
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot unexpected results
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Demonstrated attention to detail and organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated, manage time, and work independently
• Demonstrated ability to operate related equipment and use related software
• Knowledge of basic computer software
• Demonstrated physical ability to perform the job