Texas Department of State Health Services · 15 hours ago
Molecular Biologist III
Austin, TX
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
$5,434/mo - $6,249/moThe Texas Department of State Health Services is committed to public health and is seeking a skilled Molecular Biologist III. In this role, you will perform advanced molecular testing to identify viruses in clinical specimens and manage laboratory workflows while ensuring quality control and training of staff.
Health Care
Responsibilities
Under the technical guidance of the Virology and Immunology Branch Manager and Clinical Virology Team Lead, develops and performs highly complex (senior-level) molecular biology work
Plans and conducts analysis of specimens using advanced molecular methods for the diagnosis and/or detection of viruses including but not limited to influenza, measles, mumps, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), Zika, chikungunya, and dengue in clinical (serum, urine, and other) samples
Processes clinical samples in accordance with current standard operating procedures and regulations
Extracts nucleic acid using both manual and automated extraction methods and performs nucleic acid amplifications using real-time and conventional PCR
Helps the Team Lead coordinate laboratory workflow with other members of the Clinical Virology Team
Verifies and reviews molecular biology test results
Enters, reviews, and validates results in the laboratory information system and adds appropriate comments
Reviews quality control/assurance documentation to ensure established performance parameters are maintained throughout testing procedures
Assists Team Lead in drafting and reviewing standard operating procedures (SOPs)
Updates computer data files, software programs, and SOPs as directed by the Team Lead/Branch Manager
May oversee the testing of others
Participates in a cross-training program as both a student and instructor by teaching and/or demonstrating molecular techniques to other laboratory personnel, volunteers or students and by documenting training for staff
Consults with local health departments, LRNs, state epidemiologists, and CDC partners concerning influenza surveillance submissions and other viral specimen submissions and results for diagnostic testing of both surveillance and outbreak specimens
Assists in providing consultation and services to internal and external customers regarding specimen requirements, test results, and interpretation
Answers questions regarding laboratory testing methods
Investigates quality assurance problems and recommends and implements approved corrective actions
Analyzes specimen and test data to identify unusual patterns of either specimen submission or test results
Evaluates test results, reviews, and releases outgoing reports
Assesses atypical test results, consults with Team Lead and orders retesting as directed
Assists with the determination of circumstances surrounding an incorrect report and with the initiation of a corrective action to ensure accurate and consistent results are reported to customers
Initiates troubleshooting of diagnostic tests and instruments and completes routine adjustments as indicated by Team Lead
Proposes solutions to problems, implements approved changes according to direction from Team Lead
Evaluates daily quality control records, performs preventive maintenance on laboratory equipment, and ensure all records are updated daily
Prepares solutions, reagents, and other components as needed/assigned for influenza surveillance and other viral diagnostic testing
Ensures an accurate and updated inventory of the team’s unique supplies and reagents is available
Consults with local health departments, state epidemiologists, and CDC partners concerning Clinical Virology laboratory submissions and results for molecular diagnostic testing of routine clinical, surveillance, and outbreak specimens
Assists in providing consultation and services to internal and external customers regarding specimen requirements, test results, and interpretation
Answers questions regarding laboratory testing methods
Analyzes specimen and test data to identify unusual patterns of either specimen submission or test results
Evaluates test results, reviews and releases outgoing reports
Assesses atypical test results, consults with Team Lead and orders retesting as directed
Assists with the determination of circumstances surrounding an incorrect report and with the initiation of a corrective action to ensure accurate and consistent results are reported to customers
Researches new procedures and reports on their usefulness
Maintains current knowledge of literature, evaluates new procedures, and makes recommendations to improve or replace existing procedures
Coordinates and promotes development and review of new procedures in Clinical Virology
Performs evaluation/validation studies and presents data to Team Lead/Branch Manager
Documents all development work thoroughly
Reviews the literature on a regular basis and provides summaries to other employees of new techniques or research related to viral isolation/identification
Participates in continuing education opportunities on a regular basis including talks, satellite conferences, scientific conferences, or other appropriate opportunities to update and learn new techniques to be able to perform state of the art diagnostic work
Based on the work area, consistently complies with DSHS Laboratory, local, state, and federal guidelines to ensure a safe functioning laboratory
Assists Team Leader and Branch Manager with administrative duties
Completes administrative forms and attends meetings, providing input for Clinical Virology
Performs other duties as assigned by the Team Leader/Branch Manager
Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or continuity of operations (COOP) activation
Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location
Participates in weekend, holiday, and after-hours testing as needed on a rotational basis
Qualification
Required
Must have an earned bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science or medical technology from an accredited institution
Experience in a Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic Setting Required
Experience performing molecular testing, including real-time RT-PCR in a clinical and/or laboratory setting
Preferred
College level courses in microbiology/virology/immunology
Laboratory experience detecting and identifying viruses
Knowledge of quality assurance functions
Benefits
Insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS)
Company
Texas Department of State Health Services
Texas Department of State Health Services focuses on public health to promote and protect the health of Texans & their communities.
Founded in 2015
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Texas Department of State Health Services has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (1)
2024 (2)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Carolyn Barrett
Senior Advisor to DSHS CFO
Christy Havel Burton
Chief Financial Officer
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