Certifying Scientist – Toxicology – Second Shift 12-8PM
*ETHOS LABORATORIES* – Newport, KY
LOCATION: This position is located in Newport, KY, two blocks from Newport on the Levee
HOURS: Monday – Friday, 12:00-8:00PM
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor of Science or Master’s Degree in Toxicology, Pharmacology, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Life Science, or similar analytical science field required
- Preference for candidates with familiarity with LC-MS/MS instruments (other experience in instrumental analysis of GC, HPLC, LC-MS/MS or LC-QTOF of drugs in biological tissues may be acceptable)
- Preference for candidates with familiarity with Agilent MS and LC systems – specifically MassHunter Acquisition and Quantitation programs
- Previous work with bodily fluids – such as urine and oral fluid is preferred
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Final review and certification of patient reports following established protocols – specifically for urine and oral fluid testing – utilizing and reporting point of care testing, EIA screening, and LC-MS/MS confirmation testing results
- Transcribe data from first review onto final review list
- Review reports individually, checking for completion of all demographic information, all ordered tests, and that results correspond to established norms
- Identify and confirm prescribed medication vs. inconsistent reports – either due to the presence of non-prescribed medications or illicit drugs
- Add comments to reports as needed
- Document completed reports and items for further review
- Collaborate and communicate with other departments to maintain the highest quality standards for testing procedures
- Answer incoming phone calls to the Confirmation department from customers, including questions regarding basic toxicology, basic drug metabolism, assistance with report issues, and sending reports
- Complete internal and external rerun requests
- Review calibration and quality control data for each batch of patient samples
- Perform data analysis on patient samples for multiple analytes using mass spec software programs
- Utilize established protocols to confirm retention time, precursor and product ions, and qualifier ions are within established ranges for peak qualification and note any discrepancies
- Identify patient samples requiring reinjections or re-extractions following established protocols
- Program reinjections to run on the mass spec instruments
- Document data analysis completed and items for further review
- Transmit completed data analysis to the Laboratory Information System (LIS)
- Assist in proficiency testing, monitoring of daily controls, and be responsible for operating within the established quality controls parameters; including the recognition of invalid data and bringing all errors to the supervisor’s attention
- Work on selected projects as determined by the Technical Supervisor, and meet all established deadlines and project goals
- Participate in developing new testing opportunities and method development as needed
- Perform the optimization of new analytes; and potentially assist in the preparation of quality controls and calibrators from certified standard materials
PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Regular and prompt attendance
- An advanced understanding of drug metabolism, toxicology, forensic testing, P450 enzymes, ADMET, or testing principles specifically related to urine, and oral fluid metabolism
- High level of attention to detail
- Proficient in operating complex laboratory instrumentation and computers with scientific software
- Ability to participate in method development, validation or research with technical supervision preferred
- Able and willing to follow established protocols employing acceptable forensic standards of analysis and the use of judgment in searching for solutions or new applications within one’s own experience
- Must be able to work with limited supervision where the work assignments are subject to established procedures, practices, precedents, methods, techniques, standards, and/or well-defined policies
- Must be able to achieve superior results when work is reviewed in terms of quality, volume, timeliness, and adherence to established methods, standards and policies
- Participate in ongoing training and continuing education courses related to drug metabolism, toxicology, and LC and MS systems
- Responsible for promoting a collaborative and entrepreneurial environment
- Must be able and willing to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when required
- Proficient with Microsoft Office applications