MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST II

Requisition No: 885341


Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST II - 64030410

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64030410


Salary: $36,317.26 - $39,948.99 Annually


Posting Closing Date: 10/22/2026


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Florida Department of Health

Open Competitive

Bureau of Public Health Laboratories

Jacksonville Laboratory

This is a full-time, in-office position.


Your Specific Responsibilities:

This is an independent professional Mycobacteriology position assigned to the Bureau of Public Health Laboratories TB program in Jacksonville. The incumbent in this position must have the ability to plan, organize, and work independently, as well as work cooperatively with a team. The incumbent will work with human specimens and must be eligible for or possess a Clinical Laboratory Technologist/Supervisor license or Public Health Technician/Technologist License in the specialty of Microbiology.

Will participate and become proficient in all aspects of daily specimen processing activities, including preparation of media (labeling, etc.); preparing reagents; preparation of work area; picking up specimens from various areas in the complex; accessioning and appropriately processing specimens; preparing slides, and inoculating culture media; incubating and rotating cultures, and discarding specimens appropriately; replacing CO2 tank, as needed. Will participate in slide staining and microscopy analysis; preparing worksheets; recording results on appropriate worksheets and entering results into the computer. Will participate in documenting QC/QA and appropriate cleaning and maintenance of all equipment.

Will support the Mycobacteriology Laboratory by being trained in and performing various aspects of molecular identification and susceptibility testing of Mycobacteria, including interpretation of results, currently used for the rapid and accurate diagnosis of tuberculosis, as required by workload and personnel schedules. As conditions and situations allow, this may include training and performing all aspects of some or all of the following rapid tests: Real-time PCR; PCR Restriction Analysis (PRA); Hain line probe assay; GeneXpert; DNA sequencing; susceptibility testing, such as (MIC test and PNCA DNA sequencing), including setting up, tracking and maintaining all sub-cultures needed; preparing specimens for Genotyping program, and maintaining computer data files; preparing specimens to be shipped as needed to reference laboratories; quality control (QC); maintaining inventory of reagents, equipment and supplies, participating in testing rotations, culture reading and reporting.

Participate as a back-up for other mycobacterial testing and reporting, including interpretation of laboratory data and entering results in the laboratory information management system (LIMS), Labware. Assists with the training of personnel in the laboratory when necessary. Will participate in proficiency testing, professional development, and student training. Participates in the planning for and evaluation of new instrumentation and/or test protocols.

Will answer phone calls, relay messages, research information and queries from physicians and other health professionals.

Will perform other related duties as needed.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of terminology, principles and techniques used in analysis and testing.


Knowledge of procedures, techniques & equipment used in lab testing and analysis.


Skill in the use of lab equipment.


Ability to communicate effectively.


Ability to work independently.


Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.


Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.


Qualifications:

Minimum - Florida Clinical or Public Health Laboratory License in Microbiology.

Preferred - Associate's degree, Bachelor of Science, Masters, PhD.

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

Jacksonville, Florida

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions

(For more information, please click

• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.


This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.


Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website:


If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.


The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system. E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.


Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.


The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.


Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center View phone number on click.appcast.io). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.


The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.


Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women. The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise. Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.


Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center View phone number on click.appcast.io). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans' Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans' Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.


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