Microbiologist - CDC Global Health Center

Rumph and Associates, P.C., is seeking a Microbiologist to support the International Laboratory Branch (ILB), Division of Global HVI & TB (DGHT), Global Health Center (GHC) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The job to be performed includes performing a variety of tasks to implement laboratory practices and procedures consistent with Clinical Lab Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP).  This job requires some domestic and international travel.

Responsibilities

Assist with Survey Support, protocol development, reviews, training support, laboratory SOPs, and technical assistance.

·       Participate in the development and review of HIV or TB survey study protocols in multiple President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) supported countries with a specific focus on laboratory procedures and processes. Provide support in areas of sample collection, storage and transport, HIV rapid testing, CD4 testing, syphilis, hepatitis, and TB testing (as per protocol), molecular testing for early infant diagnosis, viral load testing, testing for recent infections, ARV testing and HIV drug resistance testing.

·       Prepare and review all SOPs, and training materials for various aspects of the survey protocol.

·       Develop training materials, including slides, hand-outs, visual aids, and data management tools.

·       Provide remote or in-person training to survey staff on various survey protocols from serology testing (HIV rapid tests, confirmatory assays such as Geenius and Western Blot), viral load drug resistance, ARV testing, CD4 testing, syphilis, hepatitis, and TB testing.

·       Conduct monitoring visits and technical assistance to each survey, as required, at periodic intervals.

·       Maintain ILB’s requirements for the quality management system (QMS) and follow all laboratory rules and regulations.

Preparation of training panels, proficiency testing, and QC panels

·       Procure and characterize bulk plasma units for HIV, hepatitis, syphilis status or other biomarkers to serve as standard reference results.

·       Participate in aliquoting, labeling and appropriate storage of this materials for future use.

·       Prepare training panels, proficiency testing panels and QC panels to support high quality testing during surveys.

·       Prepare panels, as per ILB developed SOP, may involve using dried tube specimens (DTS), dried blood spot (DBS), plasma panel, or other appropriate approaches suitable for biomarkers.

·       Verify prepared panels with HIV diagnostics tests such as rapid tests, EIA’s and western blot tests, and incidence and molecular assays.

Maintaining Laboratory Infrastructure

·       Establish and maintain laboratory infrastructure which includes maintaining lab supplies/consumables and performing daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual instrument maintenance.

·       Assist with the implementation of study protocols, instrumentation, and methodologies.

Reports, Presentations, and Deliverables

·       Perform data analysis and report writing for the ARV testing as identified in the SOP.

Required Experience and Skills

·       Minimum 3 years of experience with preparing panels with HIV diagnostics tests such as rapid tests, EIA’s and western blot tests, incidence, and molecular assays.

·       Minimum 3 years of experience with preparing panels which involves using dried tube specimens (DTS), dried blood spot (DBS), plasma panels, or other appropriate approaches suitable for biomarkers.

·       Experience in the development and review of HIV or TB survey study protocols with a specific focus on laboratory procedures and processes.

·       Experience in providing support in the areas of sample collection, storage, and transport, HIV rapid testing, CD4 testing, syphilis, hepatitis, and TB testing (as per protocol), molecular testing, viral load testing, testing for recent infections, ARV testing and HIV drug resistance testing.

·       Minimum 2 years of experience preparing training materials, providing hands-on training, and conducting data analysis and monitoring.

·       Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Proficient with MS Office Suite

·       Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced setting.

·       Effective organization skills.

Education and Training

·       Master's degree in Laboratory Sciences or 5 years of experience in microbiology and advanced laboratory and public health programs.

·       Master's degree in Public Health (MPH) desired