Medical Technologist (National Public Health Laboratory)

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National Healthcare Group Corporate Office (HQ)
Singapore
SGD 80,000 - 100,000
Be among the first applicants.
7 days ago
Job description

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 of laboratory equipment, computers/software, culture media, reagents, and 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 ensure there are enough cell stocks available for outbreak investigation. Maintains live cell lines and provides sufficient cells for routine and surveillance work.
  • Processes clinical samples, including filing sample data sheets, checking sample quality, and sample treatment before inoculation. Refers inappropriate samples to supervisor in a timely manner.
  • Inoculates clinical samples into appropriate cell culture(s), and records and labels the containers accordingly.
  • Passages cells blindly according to protocol to promote virus growth.
  • 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 (as advised by supervisor) at -80°C or in liquid nitrogen, keeping proper records.

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 in the appropriate box at -80°C. Refers abnormalities to supervisor.
  • Performs real-time PCR to detect different pathogens, such as influenza A, B, and norovirus, according to WI. Proper controls should be included in the experiment and sets up master mix and reactions in laminar hood and BSC accordingly. Performs system calibration before running PCR if necessary, and selects appropriate PCR protocol and detection channel. Analyzes and prints 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 toxic chemicals and UV light. Analyzes gel results under UV light, takes photos of the image as a record for validation.
  • Performs multiplexing PCR to detect pathogens, including setting up reactions according to WI, choosing appropriate PCR protocol and detection procedure/method, compiles and summarizes results for validation.
  • Performs quality controls to monitor reagent quality, reaction preparation, cycling conditions, and contamination.
  • Reports failure results and assists supervisor in performing necessary experiments to troubleshoot.

Genotyping

  • Measures nucleic acid concentration according to instrument manual, wipes properly to keep the instrument in ready-to-use condition. Calculates the volume that should be used in sequencing reactions.
  • Performs sequencing reaction and purification according to manual and WI. Sets up reactions properly with control.
  • Sets up runs in capillary sequencer (qualified staff only), including choosing appropriate capillary, running protocol, and saving data in the designated folder.
  • Exports sequences and analyzes results. Annotates, aligns, and assembles sequences using software. Submits sequences in fasta format and builds up phylogenetic trees accordingly.
  • Performs pyrosequencing by selecting the correct analysis module. Alerts supervisor and scientific officer of critical results.
  • Carries out HIV genotyping assay and generates HIV antiviral resistance reports.
  • Performs other genotyping assays such as REP-PCR, MLVA, under the supervision of Scientific Officer and supervisor.
  • Maintains, troubleshoots, and performs 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 hemagglutination is inhibited.
  • Performs Chikungunya IgG and IgM detection. Dilutes and prepares serum according to manufacturer’s instructions. After staining and washing, checks the slides under UV microscope. Reports the results by comparing with slides of non-infected cells. Helps supervisor to summarize results.
  • Performs Salmonella serotyping according to manufacturer’s instructions. Cultures and stores samples according to laboratory manual.
  • Performs anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology tests according to manufacturer’s instructions and operates the instrument accordingly, including performing QCs, etc.

Others

  • Uses an 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 samples according to laboratory manual, digesting DNA with appropriate restriction enzymes, casting special pulse field agarose gel, loading and running samples properly. Takes photos under UV light after staining in ethidium bromide and analyzes results.
  • Assists supervisor in cloning PCR fragments, including purification of PCR fragments, 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 quantifies RNA concentration. Performs quality control accordingly and then stores in vitro transcription RNA at working concentration at -80°C.
  • Isolates virus in embryonated eggs. Collects the eggs from supplier or collaborator, inoculates the virus to eggs, and harvests 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 in developing, optimizing, and evaluating new assays, procedures, or methods.
  • Assists supervisor in packing and shipping samples to other laboratories. Fills up forms for courier to clear customs, and prepares sample lists. Packs samples in primary receptacles and labels them properly to match the sample list. Hands over samples to courier and signs the invoice. Follows up the shipment until it is received by the consignee.
  • Archives critical samples and positive samples according to lab manual.
  • Maintains, troubleshoots, and performs 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.
  • Performs 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 that affect lab services such as equipment breakdown, situations outside of established procedures, and issues concerning human resources, finance, and operations.

Result Reporting

  • Reports critical results to supervisor and scientific officer in person or by telephone promptly.
  • Checks and certifies lab results. Understands 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 keeps logbooks updated. Files 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 a clean working area, including equipment, glassware, and working bench. Covers 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 policies 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 supervising work activities of attachment students and junior staff, and performs orientation for new staff.
  • Assists supervisor in testing, selecting, ordering supplies, reagents, kits, and equipment including drafting relevant justification and waiver 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 is performed.
  • Assists supervisor to maintain and update 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 investigations and resolve technical problems, consulting the 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.
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