Sampling Scientist - Environmental Microbiology Laboratory

Culturewell - Position Description

Title: Sampling Scientist

Department: Laboratory/Sampling

Reports to: Laboratory Director

Location: Ann Arbor, MI w/ Travel Requirement

Commitment: Full-Time

Classification: Non-Exempt

Position Summary

The Sampling Scientist is responsible for traveling to client locations and sampling according to the client’s requirements and Culturewell procedures. The Sampling Scientist works in conjunction with the Culturewell Dispatcher, maintaining a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail during the sample collection process. The Sampling Scientist collects samples from surfaces, water, and/or air, primarily in healthcare settings.

When not sampling at client locations, the Sampling Scientist works in our Ann Arbor, MI laboratory processing samples and specimens using microbiology and molecular biology-based methods. Exercising independent judgment and discretion, the Sampling Scientist performs analytical testing and interpretation, laboratory maintenance, peer review, and troubleshooting while serving as a training liaison for both samplers and laboratory team members and provides ongoing support to other team members. The Sampling Scientist writes basic procedures and work instructions and may participate in or lead process improvement initiatives.

This role allows for a small amount of remote administrative work if performance and punctuality are maintained.

Position Profile

• Travel to client locations and perform sampling according to Culturewell’s procedures and clients’ expectations.
• Collect samples/swabs on surfaces, water, and/or air, primarily in healthcare settings.
• Package samples correctly and send them back to Culturewell according to Culturewell’s instructions.
• Be available for sampling, approximately four hours per client and as many as eight hours, plus travel time.
• Communicate clearly with clients about sampling procedures without disclosing confidential information.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all client names, test results, and other associated client information, including patient data, in full compliance with HIPAA, where applicable.
• Work in conjunction with the Culturewell dispatcher to successfully complete sampling events.
• Maintain a clean work area at all times, including during sampling and in the laboratory.
• Maintain a chain of custody for all samples.
• Attention to detail to ensure excellent data integrity.
• Write, edit, and maintain basic procedures.
• Perform various microbiological and molecular biology-based techniques, such as positive sample identification, sample processing, use of a micropipettor, microbe identification and analysis, plate reading, troubleshooting, peer review, and some data entry.
• Recording and analyzing data, and presenting findings to the team.
• Serve as a technical resource and trainer for samplers and other laboratory team members.
• Recommend process improvements for Culturewell procedures or operations.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Your Profile

Requirements

• 4-year science degree or considerable progress in the pursuit of a science degree.
• A solid understanding of HIPAA rules.
• One year clinical experience is preferred.
• Previous work in healthcare and in an analytical laboratory setting is preferred.
• Must be able to use appropriate judgment to achieve clinical candor and bedside manner.
• Solid understanding of workflow in a healthcare facility.
• Must maintain continuous proficiency in sampling after training, as demonstrated from proficiency testing and laboratory feedback.
• Meet or exceed all credentialing required by clients in healthcare facilities and other facilities as required.
• Note: this often requires multiple vaccinations, excellent hygiene, and ability to wear PPE correctly.
• Must be able to follow specific instructions and have attention to detail.
• Ability to work in a startup organization, where workflows and priorities are often changing, sometimes unexpectedly.
• Must have valid Driver’s License and ability to rent and hold insurance on that vehicle.
• Must pass a criminal background check that includes a driving record.
• Culturewell will not provide a smartphone or a data plan to access our sampling app, and the candidate will be required to maintain these tools on their own to be eligible for sampling work. Culturewell reserves the right to update this requirement at any time.
  

Competencies

• Be amiable and flexible with clients, with deference to Culturewell’s policies.
• Strong, proactive communication and problem solving skills, especially when in a new setting.
• Embody the understanding that sample integrity and confidentiality are key to Culturewell’s long-term success.
• Kindness and thoughtfulness. In healthcare settings, sometimes folks will ask for our help. While we cannot help them, we can find someone who can.
• Attention to detail.
• Able to follow procedures and specific instructions without deviation.
• Exercise appropriate judgment.
• Works independently and in collaboration with others.
• Above average reading comprehension.
• Proficiency in the English language for purposes of high-level scientific reading, writing, and verbal communication.
• Commitment to upholding a safe, diverse, and inclusive work environment.
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to stoop, bend at the knee, use stairs, and be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Must be able to walk and stand for an entire sampling event, if necessary, up to four hours or more continuously.
• Restrooms may not be available for long periods of time.
• Must have enough hand dexterity to be able to pinch, grasp, pull apart, touch, and rotate small objects in a repetitive manner with a high degree of accuracy.
• Must have sufficient visual acuity to discern nearly imperceptible differences in colony morphologies without the aid of additional magnification other than corrective lenses.
• Must have sufficient color discernment ability to be able to read and interpret colorimetric tests.
• Ability to sit for extended periods.
• Must be able to operate computers, cell phones, and other devices for the purposes of communication, documentation, and review of sampling/laboratory data.
• Must be able to wear all required personal protective equipment for up to 10 hours.
• Must be able to pass and maintain qualification to wear an N-95 respirator or equivalent protective device.
• Must be able to tie back hair to prevent contamination of sample locations.
• Artificial nails are not allowed for hygiene reasons. Nails must be no longer than ¼” beyond the nailbed.
• Must be able to meet or exceed client site-specific PPE donning and doffing requirements.
  
  

Travel Requirements

• This is a hybrid position that is approximately based 70% of the time in our laboratory in Ann Arbor, MI, 25% travel to/working at client locations, conferences, meetings, or site visits, throughout the United States.
  
  

Required Vaccinations

• COVID-19*
• Flu*
• Meningococcal B; Meningococcal A, C, G, Y
• Requires adherence to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)'s latest age-appropriate guidance for COVID-19 vaccination; seasonal (yearly) vaccination for Flu (by any FDA-approved method).
  
  

Required Proof of Immunity

Revaccination is not required for people who have already been immunized or are verifiably immune to the following diseases - Note: Yearly or more frequent titers (blood draw) to prove immune status may be required:

• Diphtheria
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Tetanus
• Varicella (Chickenpox)
• Tuberculosis (TB)
  
  

More About Culturewell

Our mission is to address social determinants of health for the communities in which we operate by:

• Advocating for social, racial, and economic justice in healthcare delivery.
• Nurturing a balanced, equitable, and diverse workplace for our team members.
• Promoting stewardship of the Earth through sustainable business practices.
  
  

Culturewell And Its Team Honor The Following Values

• We are ethical.
• We have integrity.
• We are wholehearted.
• We are curious.
• We have attention to detail.
• We are always improving.
  
  

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Please note, this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.