Position Summary:

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH), through its newly created Division of COVID-19 Containment, is responsible for monitoring COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 exposure within Philadelphia and developing appropriate mitigation strategies. In order to do this, PDPH will be expanding the City’s surveillance and detection capabilities to ensure that cases of COVID-19 in Philadelphia residents are quickly identified and investigated. In order to rapidly identify cases, the Division of COVID Containment will work closely with the Public Health Laboratory (PHL) to test specimens. Current strategies are focused on increased access to viral testing, which informs individuals whether they are currently infected with SARS-CoV-2. PHL has greatly expanded its capacity to collect SARS-CoV-2 specimens and test them both in the lab and in the field using rapid testing platforms. PHL is partnering with Federally Qualified Health Centers, city-run health centers and other testing sites to provide support where needed. The Public Health Laboratory operates to ensure that providers have access to diagnostic and laboratory services for contagious diseases and conditions that affect the public’s health. This includes confirmatory testing for notifiable conditions and emerging infections such as SARS-CoV-2. The COVID-19 Laboratory Clerk will be responsible for supporting the expansion of laboratory capacity to meet COVID-19 testing needs throughout the city. This position will work in the laboratory to prepare samples and will work off-site with external partners to support them in their efforts to utilize point-of-care tests and expand access to testing for Philadelphia residents. May be required to work weekends.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Work collaboratively with, and as a lab resource for, the COVID Unit Testing Sites to provide support to:

• Nursing homes
• Congregate care centers
• FQHC’s
• Pharmacies
• Prisons
• Homeless shelters
• Any other sites not covered under the PHL license
• Perform COVID-related administrative tasks for laboratory testing staff, such as entering, receiving and filing orders in LIMS from Ambulatory Health Services, External partners and any institutions sending samples to PHL
• Assist lab testing staff in the sorting, transport and storage of COVID samples using Infection control and Biosafety best practices.
• Utilize a manual or electronic Inventory Management System to assist in receiving and documenting shipments of testing devices, reagents and consumables/non-consumables, equipment, etc.
• Act as a liaison between the PHL laboratory, COVID Division, Disease Control and outside client
• *This position will not be testing any specimens or providing any medical advice*

Skills Required:

• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Equally comfortable working individually and within a team environment that emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Flexibility and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously are highly valued.
• Experience in project development in a health-related field, preparation of public health materials with experience in planning and plan development
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

Education and Experience:

• Medical Assistant, Public Health, Clinical Laboratory or related field experience preferred. High School graduate.
• Zero -One year of experience working in a diagnostic laboratory

o Knowledge of laboratory requirements, federal and state safety laws, and lab equipment maintenance preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employment:

PMHCC, Inc. is committed to equal opportunity. It is our policy to support equal employment for all employees and applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual preferences, age, national origin, disability, behavioral health status, military status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Americans with Disabilities Act:

Employees as well as applicants who are currently, or become disabled, must be able to perform the functions of the job with either reasonable accommodation or unaided. PMHCC, Inc. will examine reasonable accommodations on a case by case basis in accordance with the law.