LABORATORY TECHNOLOGIST
KENOSHA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH
The Laboratory Technologist performs professional work in conducting laboratory tests of clinical specimens, water, and forensic samples as well as developing new tests when necessary. The work requires the exercise of independent judgment and application of prescribed procedures and methods. This position reports to the Laboratory Supervisor.
Kenosha County is committed to Diversity, Belonging and Inclusion and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
2025 Hiring Range: $27.00 – $30.68 per hour
Position Summary and Job Duties
General Responsibilities
- Maintain CLIA, DATCP, and DNR certifications for clinical and water testing; ensure quality control measures are maintained and followed
- Maintain lab supplies – use P-card to order from various suppliers (Fisher Scientific, Agilent, Cerilliant, Sigma Aldrich, etc.)
- Perform daily activities, including monitoring refrigerator temperatures; sterilizing and prepping water testing bottles; sterilizing and prepping clinical instruments; and sterilizing contaminated media
- Perform data entry utilizing laboratory management systems and electronic medical records systems for STD send outs, confirmations, evidence, beach testing, and UAs; send well water testing results to the DNR
- Perform proficiency testing, including, water, syphilis, blood leads, and UA Drug screens
- Perform quality control measures for testing and instrumentation, including drug and alcohol screens; annual calibration of the diluter dispenser; and GC, E. coli, Pseudo, and Beta strep control plates
- Prepare specimens received from the clinic for testing or send out to WSLH, and drop packages off at the shipping facility
- Perform annual calibration of thermometers for refrigerators and incubators
- Update inventories for the various chemicals and drugs stored in the lab
- Maintain competency by performing proficiency samples for all areas of the lab
- Perform verification and validation for new methods and instruments
Water Testing/Environmental
- Set water samples when received for bacteriology using IDEXX Colilert/Colisure
- Test nitrates (within 48 hours) using Hach Instrument
- Test fluorides (within 7 days) with electrode method
- Discuss and answer questions about drinking water from the public
- Check Lab Pure Reagent Water System: Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC)
- Work with Environmental section and DNR to maintain TNC program throughout the year by testing public water samples for bacteria and nitrates and sending results to the DNR through their database
- Perform beach testing using IDEXX Colilert-18 for county inland beaches in the summer months
- Work with the Racine Health Department and DNR for managing the city beaches – enter results in LMS
Microbiology/Clinical
- Prepare QC agar plates
- RPR testing for Syphilis – perform test, record results in lab and clinic databases
- Perform drug and validity testing on UA samples and send out results to case workers
- Perform lead paint tests, spore tests, blood lead testing, and identification of bugs received from the public
- Review STD results in LMS and Patagonia
- Work with the CLIA Laboratory Director to maintain CLIA Moderate Complexity certification
Forensics
- Blood Alcohol Testing – prepare samples to be analyzed, analyze and report results (certified analyst)
- Urine Drug Confirmations – prepare samples for analysis and analyze results
- Blood Drugs – extract samples for analysis
- Analyze Seized Drugs/Controlled Substances
- Testify in court if subpoenaed to serve as an expert witness
- Perform administrative and technical review on case reports
Success Factors
Knowledge of:
- ANAB accreditation requirements and ISO standard requirements and concepts
- DATCP Drinking Water Regulations and maintaining certification through evaluations
- DNR Nitrate certification processes
- CLIA requirements for a Moderate Complexity Lab
- Calibration procedures and proper cleaning and sterilization techniques
- Inventory management
- How to research and learn new techniques and methods in testing
- Standard Operating Procedure processes and how to follow step by step specific instructions
- Drinking water and beach water testing methods with the use of reagents and instrumentation; drinking and beach water contamination and protocols to follow
- Microbiology growth medium and how it is used
- Diagnostic screening and confirmation testing for communicable diseases
- Safety protocols for hazardous and biologically contaminated materials
- Forensic science testing methods, particularly in seized drug testing and toxicology
- Mechanical aptitude and knowledge to maintain and repair laboratory equipment
- General court proceedings
- Drugs and how to handle dangerous substances
Skill in:
- Written and verbal communication such as writing laboratory reports, testifying as an expert witness, and communicating with outside agencies and personnel
- Using laboratory management software to maintain records and report data
- Closely following procedures and maintaining good laboratory practices
- Operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting GC/FID, GC/MS, FTIR instrumentation specifically for forensic testing and other pertinent lab equipment
- Quality assurance control by conducting tests and inspections of products or processes to evaluate quality or performance
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
- Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint
- Basic internet usage
Ability to:
- Effectively interact with sensitivity with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, and persons of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, and lifestyles
- Effectively work in a team environment that promotes customer satisfaction as well as independently to meet deadlines
- Always remain professional and courteous especially in high-pressure situations
- Effectively plan, organize, and manage competing priorities and challenges under pressure
- Engage, establish, and maintain collaborative partnerships with multi-cultural/multi-disciplinary staff, management, community partners, and the public
- Maintain confidentiality and serve the public with honesty and integrity
- Operate with a high degree of flexibility, initiative, attention to detail, and commitment
- Thrive in a fast-paced, robust organization
- Work respectfully in a diverse and inclusive environment
Job Requirements, Education, Training and Experience
- Bachelor of Science Degree from a college or university of recognized standing with specialization in chemistry, microbiology, or other natural science
- One year of professional experience in laboratory work
- Master’s Degree from a college or university of recognized standing with specialization in chemistry, microbiology, or other natural science with professional experience in laboratory preferred
- Or any combination of education, training, and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities
Other Job Requirements
- Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record
- Access to a personal vehicle with active automobile insurance for use in the performance of the job (mileage reimbursement provided)
- Availability to perform occasional weekend and evening work as required
- Availability to perform other work as required or assigned including, but not limited to, a 24/7 response during public health emergency situations and disease outbreak investigations
Licenses or Certifications
- Blood Alcohol and Controlled Substance Permit from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services
- American Chemical Society
Benefits
- Health, dental and vision insurance effective first of month following 30 days of employment with the ability to reduce premium contribution through participation in a wellness program
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Employee Assistance Program
- Paid Time Off
- Volunteer Paid Time Off
- Twelve Paid Holidays
- Retirement Plan: Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System which includes county-paid life insurance
- Tuition Reimbursement
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- The position involves light physical demands, such as exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally
Selection Process
- Application Review - Qualifying
- Oral Interview - Qualifying
- Background Check - Qualifying
- Drug Screen - Qualifying
If you require accommodations at any point in the selection process because of a disability, please notify Human Resources in advance for arrangements.
Applications must be submitted no later than Thursday, January 16, 2025.
To learn more about the Kenosha County Public Health, please visit: https://www.kenoshacounty.org/297/Public-Health
Kenosha County is a Wisconsin Retirement System participating employer. Your participation is required, which includes an employee contribution.
The pay grade for this position is NE10 (Min. $27.00 – Max. $34.36 per hour).
This position is located in Kenosha County, a growing community along the shores of Lake Michigan and less than an hour away from Milwaukee and Chicago. To see why Kenosha County is a great place to live, work, and play, visit: https://www.visitkenosha.com/
Thank you for your interest in employment with Kenosha County!
Kenosha County is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.