Medical Technologist (National Public Health Laboratory)

JOB SUMMARY

Working in the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL), the person should be competent in conducting and performing essential laboratory testing related to surveillance projects and investigations. This person will supervise medical technologists and students and is responsible for the proper use laboratory equipment, computers/software, culture media, reagents, diagnosis kits for identification and genotyping of infectious pathogens.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

SPECIFIC

Virus Culture

• Prepares culture media and performs quality control according to work instructions (WIs). Assists supervisor to check stock availability and validity.
• Processes and maintains different cell lines. Records detail information of all cryo-stocks to make sure there are enough cell stocks can be used for outbreak investigation. Maintains live cell lines and provides enough cells for routine and surveillance works.
• Processes clinical samples, including filing sample data sheet, checking sample quality, and sample treatment before inoculation. Refers inappropriate sample to supervisor in time.
• Inoculates clinical samples to appropriate cell culture(s), and records and labels the containers accordingly.
• Passages cells blindly according protocol to promote virus growing.
• Reads cells frequently for the presence of cytopathic effect (CPE) after inoculation. If CPE is present, performs immunofluorescence or other assays to identify the virus.
• Maintains positive samples and some negative samples (to be advised by supervisor) at -80C or in liquid nitrogen, keeps proper record.

Molecular Typing

• Performs nucleic acid extraction from clinical samples, including sample pre-treatment in BSC, checking reagent validity and machine status, labeling and aliquoting and storing the nucleic acid at appropriate box at -80C. Refers abnormity to supervisor.
• Performs real time PCR to detect different pathogens, such as influenza A, B and norovirus etc according to WI. Proper controls should be included in experiment and sets up master mix and reaction in laminar hood and BSC accordingly. Performs system calibration before running PCR if necessary, and selects appropriate PCR protocol and detection channel. Analyses and print out results for validation.
• Performs gel-based PCR and includes proper reaction controls in the experiment. Selects appropriate PCR protocol on thermal cycler and casts agarose gel according to WI. Compiles to laboratory safety manual while handling toxin chemical and UV light. Analyses gel results under UV light, takes photo of the image as record for validation.
• Performs multiplexing PCR to detect pathogens, including setting up reactions according WI, choosing appropriate PCR protocol and detection procedure/method, compiles and summaries results for validation.
• Performs quality controls to monitor reagent quality, reaction preparation, cycling condition and contamination.
• Reports failure results and assists supervisor to perform necessary experiment to trouble shoot.

Genotyping

• Measures nucleic acid concentration according to instrument manual, wipes properly to keep instrument at ready-to-use condition. Calculates the volume that should be used in sequencing reaction.
• Performs sequencing reaction and purification according to manual and WI. Sets up reaction properly with control.
• Sets up runs in capillary sequencer (qualified staffs only), including choosing appropriate capillary, running protocol, and saving data at designated folder.
• Exports sequences and analyses results. Annotates, aligns and assembles sequences using software. Submits sequences in fasta format and builds up phylogenetic tree accordingly.
• Performs pyrosequencing by selecting correct analysis module. Alerts supervisor and scientific officer of critical results.
• Carries out HIV genotyping assay and generates HIV antiviral resistance report.
• Performs other genotyping assays such as REP-PCR, MLVA, under supervision of Scientific Officer and supervisor.
• Maintain, troubleshoot and perform day to day work on next-generation sequencing equipment.

Serology

• Performs hemagglutination inhibition using kits provided by WHO Influenza Collaborating Centre. Prepares titrations of red cells and viral culture according to protocol, and interprets results by checking visually if hameagglutination is inhibited.
• Performs Chikungunya IgG and IgM detection. Dilutes and prepares serum according to manufacturer’s instruction. After staining and washing, checks the slides under UV microscope. Reports the results by comparing with slide of non-infected cells. Helps supervisor to summarize results.
• Performs Salmonella serotyping according to manufacturer’s instruction. Cultures and stores samples according to laboratory manual.
• Performs anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology test according to manufacturer’s instruction and operate the instrument accordingly, including performing QCs etc

Others

• Uses electron microscope to investigate clinical samples. Prepares and treats the original samples to get ready for EM staining or embedding. Looks for pathogens on grids under TEM, takes photos as records.
• Performs EIA on stool specimens to detect norovirus.
• Performs Pulse Field Gel Electrophoresis, including preparing intact bacterial genome DNA sample according laboratory manual, Digesting DNA with appropriate restriction enzymes, casts special pulse field agarose gel, loading and running samples properly. Takes photos under UV light after staining in ethidium bromide and analyses results.
• Assists supervisor to clone PCR fragment, including purification of PCR fragment, ligation and transformation. Screens and confirms cloning results by PCR, sequencing or other methods.
• Prepares in vitro transcription RNA as positive control using commercial kits. Follows WI carefully to linearize plasmid circular DNA template, sets up in vitro transcription reaction, digests DNA with DNase and quantify RNA concentration. Performs quality control accordingly and then stores in vitro transcription RNA of working concentration at -80C.
• Isolates virus in embryonated eggs. Collects the eggs from supplier or collaborator, inoculates the virus to eggs, and harvest the virus for further antigenic and genetic characterization, or for drug-susceptibility testing or vaccine preparation.
• Performs ELISA for various targets.
• Carries out experiments in BSL3 with supervision of scientific officer. The person must comply with safety guidelines and lab procedures.
• Assists scientific officer to develop, optimize and evaluate new assays, procedures or methods.
• Assists supervisor to pack and ship samples to other laboratories. Fills up forms for courier to clear custom, and prepares samples list. Packs samples in primary receptacle and labels the samples properly to match sample list. Hand over sample to courier and signs on the invoice. Follows up the shipment until it is received by consignee.
• Archives critical samples and positive samples according to lab manual.
• Maintain, troubleshoot and perform organism identification by MALDI-TOF system, FilmArray system and GeneXpert system.
• Performs housekeeping duties and ensures there are adequate consumables/reagents in the laboratory at all times
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Quality Assurance

• Performs all tests with care and accuracy following work instructions to provide correct and informative results.
• Performs confirmatory or follow up tests as required. Knows identification and characteristics of pathogens, recognizes interdependency of tests and applies knowledge of physiological conditions affecting test results in order to check or confirm these results.
• Works independently. Organizes work to meet established deadlines. Assists supervisor to complete analysis within the expected time frame.
• Involves in laboratory accreditation. Maintains related records and documents, assists supervisor in revising quality manuals and preparation for department inspection conducted by various licensing, regulatory and accrediting agencies.
• Assumes responsibility and accountability for clinically reliable results.
• Informs scientific officer, laboratory manager and supervisor for technical assistance in special or unusual cases or problems which affects lab services such as equipment breakdown, situation outside of established procedures and issues concerning human resource, finance and operations.

Result reporting

• Reports critical results to supervisor and scientific officer in person or by telephone promptly.
• Checks and certifies lab results. Understand principles of lab instrumentation and methods in order to validate and report results of the tests performed as far as accuracy, acceptability and critical limits are concerned.
• Compiles and records all results in databases and keep log book updated. File all data obtained, manually and/or electronically.
• Helps supervisor to update MOH and NPHL databases.
• Assists supervisor and Scientific Officer to summarize and tabulate results.

GENERAL

• Follows general hospital and lab policies concerning dress codes, professional conduct, attendance punctuality, documentation, performance criteria and other directives as issued.
• Maintains clean working area, including equipment, glassware and working bench. Cover the working area with bench coat paper or protective sheet when necessary to avoid contamination caused by spills and splashes.
• Complies with all safety and infection control polices and standard procedures of NPHL, NCID, TTSH and MOH BioSafety Branch.
• Complies with the material management department procurement policies.
• Assists supervisor in giving instruction and supervise work activities of attachment students and junior/ staffs, and performs orientation for new staff.
• Assists supervisor in testing, selecting, ordering supplies, reagents, kits and equipment including drafting relevant justification and wavier papers; keeps inventory of lab supplies.
• For designated duties of internal auditor, safety officer/deputy safety officer, fire warden/assistant fire warden, department point of contact and in-charges, the person must comply with the relevant policies and guidelines. Keeps inventory records of all fixed assets, and assists BME and Facility Engineering to ensure equipment preventive maintenance are performed.
• Assists supervisor to maintain and updates the laboratory quality manuals
• Performs overtime work or rotating shift duty on weekdays/weekends/public holidays when necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the laboratory.
• Assumes responsibility to perform investigation and resolve technical/problems, consult supervisor if it requires policy or procedure modification.
• Performs any other designated administrative, technical and/or lab duties as assigned

Requirement

• Preferred: Bachelor Degree in Medical/Clinical Laboratory Science, Biotechnology, Life Science, Biology, Molecular Biology, or Virology.
• Shift work is required on weekdays, weekends and public holidays (rotating schedule)
• Possess good communication skills   
• Able to work in a responsible, meticulous and efficient manner