PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY ASSISTANT I

5

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Washington County Health Department

1302 Pennsylvania Avenue

Hagerstown, MD  21742

The main purpose of this position is to learn to clean, sterilize and sort glassware and ancillary equipment; learn to prepare bacteriological media; learn to perform analytical testing processes including centrifuging tubes of blood and inoculating petri dishes; learn to prepare specimen mailing assembles for transport of specimens to laboratory; learn to handle, contain, and dispose of hazardous chemicals and use protective equipment; learn to follow universal precautions for biological pathogens and the chemical hygiene plan for chemical compounds; learn to operate sterilization equipment, dishwashers, water stills, pipettes and other lab equipment; learn to maintain stock levels and distribute various laboratory supplies; learn to collect special medical wastes, decontaminating or disposing of matter and liquids; learn to select and prepare samples for examination; learn to answer routine telephone inquiries from lab customers and physicians; learn to assist Public Health Laboratory Technicians and Public Health Laboratory Scientists in setting up analytical equipment and tests; learn to maintain records, files and reports as directed; and perform other related duties.

Education:    Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience:  None

NOTE:

Experience performing technical support in the areas of glassware and transport outfit preparation, medical waste collection and decontamination, or analytical testing processes in a laboratory setting may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required high school education.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be evaluated. The evaluation may be a rating of your application based on your education, training and experience as they relate to the requirements of the position. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all related education, experience, dates and hours of work. For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must accompany the application. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date.

Contractual employees who works for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program (the Program), have a current employment contract and work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents.  As a contractual employee, you will be responsible for paying 25% of the premiums for your medical and prescription coverage, including any eligible dependents you have enrolled. The State of Maryland will subsidize the remaining 75% of the cost for these benefits. You can also elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible to pay the full premium for these benefits.

Online application process is STRONGLY preferred. If online process is not available, please send your paper application to: DHMH, Recruitment and Selection Division, 201 W. Preston St., Room 114-B, Baltimore, MD 21201. The paper application must be received by 5 pm, close of business, on the closing date for the recruitment, no postmarks will be accepted. Incorrect application forms will not be accepted. If you need to submit additional information, the preferred method is to upload. If unable to upload, please fax requested information only to 410-333-5689. Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request by calling: (410) 767-1251 or MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply. As an equal opportunity employer Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. Should additional information regarding this recruitment be required, please contact the DHMH Recruitment and Selection Division at 410-767-1251 or via email at dhmh.jobs@maryland.gov.