STAFF SCIENTIST 1

 

(Clinical Biosafety)

 (Clinical Laboratory Science)

(Toxicology) 

(Water)

 

GENERAL DEFINITION

 

            This is scientific laboratory analysis work serving as an expert in clinical laboratory science in the Health Department’ or performing environmental science or analytical chemistry work in the Water Department serving as an expert in an environmental science or chemistry discipline for a departmental or division program. Employees in the Clinical Laboratory Science Specialty provide technical guidance, review, and may direct the work of technical personnel in analyzing data, conducting research and solving problems relating to a clinical laboratory. Employees in the Toxicology Specialty provide technical guidance, review, and may direct the work of technical personnel in analyzing data, conducting research and solving problems relating to a toxicology laboratory in the Medical Examiner’s Office specializing in postmortem specimens regarding drug abuse, prescription drugs, and poisons. Employees in the Water Specialty provide technical guidance, review, and may direct the work of lower level scientists, engineers, planners and/or technical personnel in analyzing data, conducting research and solving environmental problems related to the mission of the department.  Positions in the Water Specialty are located in the Planning and Environmental Services Division. Employees in the Clinical Biosafety Specialty provide technical guidance, review, quality assurance, and may direct the work of lower level scientist and technical staff in ensuring adequate safety conditions to avoid potential hazards associated with emergency management and the handling of biological and chemical materials.  Employees in all specialties are responsible for theoretical and experimental scientific and technological investigation directed toward the acquisition of new knowledge, developing theories and devising methods to apply scientific principles and theories in projects related to the mission of the department.  Contact with other scientists, engineers, city officials and regulatory agencies to coordinate and achieve assigned objectives is a significant aspect of the work.  Work is performed under the direction of a program director or higher level engineer or scientist. 

 

ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)

 

1.    Positions must have responsibility for serving an expert in clinical laboratory science or clinical biosafety in the Health Department, serving as an expert in a specific discipline for a departmental division in the Water Department in the environmental sciences or chemistry disciplines, or serving as an expert in toxicological analyses, including method development and validations, in the MEO Toxicology Lab.

2.    No more than two positions in the Health Department’s Public Health Laboratory will be allocated to the class.

3.    No more than ten positions in the Planning & Environmental Services Division will be allocated to the class.

4. No more than one position in the Medical Examiner’s Office Toxicology Lab will be allocated to this class in the Toxicology Specialty.

 

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

 

ALL SPECIALTIES

 

            Serves as an internal resource for a department by providing environmental science, chemistry, clinical laboratory science, clinical biosafety technical expertise, and/or toxicological testing expertise for program supervisors, scientists, chemists, consultants, and administra­tors; reviews scientific studies and recommends improvements and corrections; attends meetings with division or project managers, administrators, consultants, city officials and regulatory agency representatives to discuss pending and in-progress projects; clarifies issues for individuals, discusses their needs and indicates priorities for completion of various aspects of the work; works on multi-disciplined science projects as assigned; prepares program assessments and reports; prepares and presents technical reports; provides technical direction for scientific programs to departmental managers; provides technical and scientific guidance to colleagues within and outside the department.

            Contributes new designs, processes or techniques regarded as major advances in the field; originates, designs and introduces creative research and development projects to provide basis for new or improved programs or policies; conducts research, develops theories, and devises methods to apply scientific principles, theories and research related to the mission of the division and its strategic goals; conducts peer review work of other scientists at a state or regional level; represents the department on national and regional committees which establish the technical standards in the discipline; prepares legislative and regulatory measures dealing with state and national regulations; represents the department in public speaking engagements, including communications media appearances; may testify as an expert for the department at hearings.

Performs the above work in the area of specialization.

Performs related work as required.

 

CLINICAL BIOSAFETY SPECIALTY

 

Ensures adequate safety conditions to avoid potential hazards associated with the handling of biological and chemical materials, the spread of multi-resistant pathogens and threats of biological terrorism; develops and ensures adherence to laboratory safety programs performing Microbiology testing; develops and coordinates the Quality Assurance programs within the Public Health Laboratory; implements, communicates and monitors all laboratory quality programs including point of care testing under the license of the Public Health Laboratory; develops, implements and manages the emergency response plan for the Public Health Laboratory in collaboration with federal, state and city agencies; ensures Public Health Laboratory is prepared for and compliant with emergency management protocols.

 

CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE SPECIALTY

 

            Conducts through review of new regulatory and legislative requirements and assists with meeting all regulatory requirements for the clinical laboratory; assists departmental management with improvement initiatives; creates policies and procedures to support regulatory and scientific efforts; assists in developing and evaluating research testing methodologies and instrumentation to achieve compliance; utilizes Lab Information System to implement changes.

 

TOXICOLOGY SPECIALTY

          Develops and ensures adherence to Quality Assurance, Quality Control and safety standards in the toxicology lab. Serves as initial point of contact for staff chemists with questions or needs.  Oversees training of new staff chemists.  Assists in developing, implementing, and overseeing new testing methodologies. Performs toxicologic analysis of biological specimens for both routine cases and non-routine cases of higher complexity. 

           

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

 

KNOWLEDGE OF:

 

ALL SPECIALTIES:

 

·                     chemical, physical and/or biological sciences as they relate to the area of specialization

·                     the use and care of instrumentation

·                     Microsoft Office and the current Windows Operating Systems

·                     biological, chemical, and microbiological evaluation techniques

·                     the application of information technology systems as they relate to data analyses and report generation

·                     mathematics, including algebra and statistics

·                     sources of environmental science information and current developments in the field of environmental science related to the area of specialization

·                     innovative and sophisticated methods, techniques and procedures for research, investigation and analysis in area of specialization

 

CLINICAL BIOSAFETY SPECIALTY

 

·                     the principles, practices, and methods of laboratory safety procedures and protocols to stop the spread of microorganisms

·                     laboratory quality programs including Point of Care testing under the license of the Public Health Laboratory

·                     current procedures to avoid potential hazards associated with the handling of biological and chemical materials, the spread of multi-resistant pathogens and threats of biological terrorism

 

WATER SPECIALTY ONLY

 

·                  natural resource management if required by work assignment

·                  sustainable and renewable energy management if required by work assignment

·                  complex water quality and environmental issues

·                   air, water, hazardous or solid waste pollution, measurement and/or control principles

·                  Stormwater management, combined sewer overflows, green stormwater infrastructure, adaptive watershed management, non-point source pollution if required by work assignment

·                  water treatment plant operations, processes, design, facilities and equipment if required by work assignment

·                  scientific protocols and assessments required by the assignment

 

TOXICOLOGICAL SPECIALTY ONLY

·       Quality assurance and quality control as applied to a forensic laboratory

·       Troubleshooting and maintenance of GC/MS and/or LC-MS/MS instrumentation

·       Expert level knowledge in processing biological specimens & extraction of drugs from biological specimens

 

SKILL IN:

 

ALL SPECIALTIES:

 

·                     the use, care and maintenance of field and/or laboratory equipment and sophisticated instrumentation

·                     using analytical techniques and scientific principles to evaluate data in area of specialization

·                     applying and integrating advanced theories, concepts, principles and processes to assignments of diverse and complex nature

·                     applying federal and state regulations governing area of specialization

·                     performing high complexity medical technology tests for the Clinical Laboratory Science Specialty

·                     communication related to laboratory biosafety emergency management for the Clinical Biosafety Specialty

·                     developing and coordinating quality assurance programs for the Clinical Laboratory Science and Clinical Biosafety Specialties only

 

ABILITY TO:

 

ALL SPECIALTIES:

 

·                     apply analytical techniques and scientific principles to evaluate data in area of specialization

·                     direct scientific and technical personnel towards the successful achievement of goals and objectives

·                     train various professionals and technicians in scientific procedures and techniques

·                     simplify, adapt and explain analytical procedures or assessment techniques necessary for the resolution of design problems and project development

·                     prepare and interpret reports detailing the results of tests and analyses

·                     represent the department on national committees and in national publications which establish the standards in technical expertise

·                     present ideas effectively both orally and in writing

·                     interpret and apply rules and regulations required in area of specialization

·                     manage the development and implementation of the emergency response plan for the Public Health Laboratory for the Clinical Biosafety Specialty only

 

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests.  Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 8/24.)

 

CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE AND CLINICAL BIOSAFETY SPECIALTIES

EDUCATION:

            Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in medical technology, biology, immunology, serology, microbiology, chemistry or other closely related field in the chemical, physical, or biological sciences.

NOTE:  Certification by the American Society of Microbiology as a Biological Safety Microbiologist preferred for the Clinical Biosafety Specialty only.

 

AND

GENERAL EXPERIENCE:

            Three years of clinical laboratory experience performing diagnostic laboratory tests.  

 

AND

SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:

 

CLINICAL BIOSAFETY SPECIALTY

 

            Two years of experience in scientific laboratory analysis work with responsibility for performing quality assurance activities in a clinical laboratory or public health laboratory setting characterized by Biosafety Levels 2 and 3 as recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 

 

CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE SPECIALTY

 

            Two years of experience in scientific laboratory analysis work as a Laboratory Program Scientist with responsibility for leading scientific research projects by determining the scope, direction, and timetables for project completion and coordinating work with other scientific and technical staff at the Health Department’s Public Health Laboratory.

 

 

NOTE:   Completion of a Master’s degree at an accredited college or university in a qualifying scientific field may substitute for one year of the general experience for the Clinical Laboratory Science or Clinical Biosafety Specialties

 

 

WATER SPECIALTY

 

EDUCATION:

 

            Completion of a Master's degree program at an accredited college or university, with major course work in a qualifying field*.

 

AND

GENERAL EXPERIENCE:

 

            Three years of experience in environmental science or analytical chemistry work analyzing data and solving environmental problems in the area of Aquatic Sciences, Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Policy and Environmental Resources Management or Plant Sciences.

 

AND

SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:

 

            Two years of experience in environmental science or analytical chemistry work equivalent to Environmental Scientist Specialist or Laboratory Program Scientist with responsibility for leading scientific research projects by determining the scope, direction, and timetables for project completion and coordinating work with other scientific and technical staff in the area of assignment.

 

NOTE:   Completion of a Bachelor’s degree at an accredited college or university in a qualifying scientific field and one additional year of experience may be substituted for the education requirement for the Water Specialty only.

 

 

TOXIOCLOGY SPECIALTY

 

EDUCATION:

 

Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in chemistry, toxicology, biochemistry, forensic chemistry, or other closely related field in the chemical, physical, or biological sciences.

 

AND

GENERAL EXPERIENCE:

 

Three years of experience in a postmortem lab testing blood and biological specimens for drugs of abuse and poisons.

 

AND

SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:

 

          Two years of experience in analytical chemistry work at the advanced performance level.

 

OR

 

          Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources, which has included the Specific Experience and completion of a bachelor's degree program as specified above as an educational minimum.

 

 

CITY OF PHILADELPHIA CLASSES THAT TYPICALLY MEET THE SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

 

CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE SPECIALTY

Laboratory Program Scientist (3H18) (Clinical Laboratory Science Specialty Only)

 

TOXICOLOGY SPECIALTY

Analytical Chemist Specialist (3H31)

 

WATER SPECIALTY

Environmental Scientist Specialist (3H16)

Laboratory Program Scientist (3H18) (Chemistry Specialty Only)

 

* Qualifying scientific fields include:

 

·         Aquatic Sciences:  Aquatic Biology, Aquatic Ecology, Aquatic Toxicology, Limnology, Marine Biology, Marine Ecology, Oceanography, Wetland Sciences, Wildlife and Fisheries Management 

·         Biological Sciences:  Bacteriology, Biology, Biological Sciences, Ecology, Environmental Science, Microbiology, Molecular Biology

·         Chemical Sciences: Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or Materials Engineering, Environmental Science

·         Earth Sciences: Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, Geosciences, Geology, Geochemistry, Hydrology

·         Environmental Policy and Environmental Resource Management: Environmental Management, Environmental Policy, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Natural Resource Management, Sustainable/Renewable Energy Management, Watershed Management, Wildlife Science, Forest Science

·         Plant Sciences: Botany, Forestry, Plant Biology, Plant Taxonomy, Soil Sciences

 

WATER SPECIALTY ONLY

 

NOTE: Selective Factor Certification may be utilized, as needed, to fill specific positions.

In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 11.032 - Selective Factor Certification –

the appointing authority may request certification of eligible candidates with the specified education, training and/or experience to fill specific positions in this class. Certification to fill such position will be made from the two highest ranking eligible candidates on the eligible list who possess the specified qualification.

 

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

 

            Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

 

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES

 

            Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment in this class, if required by work assignment.

Certification as a Medical Technologist by American Medical Technologists (AMT) or certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) at the time of appointment and during tenure of employment for positions in the Clinical Laboratory Science specialty only.

 

 

Class Established:

CSC – 8/15

Ad. Board – 8/15

Spec Revision:

CSC – 9/18; Ad. Board – 10/18

Spec Revision:

CSC – 12/20; Ad. Board – 1/21

Spec Revision:

CSC – 3/21; Ad. Board – 5/21

Spec. Revision:

CSC – 8/21; Ad. Board – 9/21

Spec. Revision:

CSC – 7/24; Ad. Board – 8/24

Latest Spec. Revision:

CSC – 12/24; Ad. Board – 1/25

 

 

 

 

 

CP