NBS Specimen Logistics Tech I

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Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

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Functional Title: NBS Specimen Logistics Tech I

Job Title: Publ Hlth and Prevent Spcl I

Agency: Dept of State Health Services

Department: Quality Assurance

Posting Number: 17200

Closing Date: 06/25/2026

Posting Audience: Internal and External

Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science

Salary Range: $3,095.33 - $3,844.91

Pay Frequency: Monthly

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-14

Shift: Day

Additional Shift:

Telework: Not Eligible for Telework

Travel: Up to 5%

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full Time/Part Time: Full time

FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt

Facility Location:

Job Location City: AUSTIN

Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (DBGL)

Other Locations:

MOS Codes: 230X,43EX,43HX,4B0X1,4E0X1,60C,68S,68Z,HM,HS,MED,NAP11,SEI12

Brief Job Description:

Under the general supervision of the Newborn Screening Specimen Logistics Group Manager, performs routine public health work in the Newborn Screening Program. Review and process parental decision forms regarding the storage and use of residual NBS specimens. Prepare and process specimens for destruction in accordance with legislatively mandated statute and DSHS policy. Independently make significant decisions on the accuracy of software generated demographic comparisons and electronically link first and second newborn screening specimens, using protected public health information. Follow approved standard operating procedures. Prepare newborn screening specimens for long-term storage and approved releases. Maintain proper laboratory Quality Assurance documentation. Perform equipment maintenance and document accurately. Trains/mentors new and current employees, as needed. Extensive use of complex computer systems and databases. Actively participate in the laboratory safety program. Duties are independently performed with general supervision, adherence to standard protocol and with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

EFJ 1: (50%) Decision Form Processing: Review and process high volume of Texas Newborn Screening Parental Decision forms received from the public regarding the storage and use of their child's or their own newborn screening specimens. Evaluate forms for requirements and validity and categorizes by decision type. Determine length of storage for each specimen. Utilize Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) database to process requests, including verification of information, assigning consent ID, and generation of Decision Verification lists. Maintain all documentation. Prepare files for archiving.

EJF 2: (25%) Specimen Destruction Processing: Utilize LIMS to generate Destruction Pull Lists to identify specimens that meet the statute-defined destruction requirements. Retrieve specimens from storage within required timeframe. Maintain documentation. Refile specimens and consolidate long-term storage workloads to ensure efficient accessibility.

EFJ 3: (15%) Linking: Perform linking of high volume first and second newborn screening (NBS) specimens. Independently review and make significant decisions on the accuracy of software generated demographic comparisons and electronically link first and second newborn screening specimens. Follow established procedures and guidelines to ensure accurate and thorough linking. Generate and print Supervisor Linking Review Report for specimens that require manual linking review, ensuring availability for scheduled linking processes. Monitor, process, and maintain status documentation for completion of 6 workloads per week.

EJF 4: (5%) Customer Service: Serve as a resource on NBS specimen linking and NBS residual specimen storage. Retrieves specimens from storage upon request. Process and prepare newborn screening residual specimens for shipment to fulfill approved sample requests. Coordinate with other DSHS staff to ensure specimens are accurately identified, labeled, shipped and documentation is accurate and complete.

EJF 5: (5%) Performs Other Duties as Assigned: Perform required monthly and semi-annual air purifier filter replacement. Perform monthly maintenance of automatic serial stampers. Accurately perform and document all equipment maintenance. Organize and assist with archiving. Transfers newborn screening specimens from the laboratory to the warehouse for long-term storage. Based on your work area, consistently comply with DSHS Laboratory, local, state and federal guidelines to ensure a safe functioning laboratory. Actively participates and/or serves in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Current social, economic and public health issues.
• Public health laws, regulations and general medical/clinical laboratory, principles, techniques, and terminology.
• Confidentiality best practices for working with medical records, files, and other information.

Skill in:

• Problem solving and working independently.
• Disseminating information to and eliciting information from customers.
• Providing customer service to medical personnel and the public via telephone and fax.
• Collection and handling of protected health data and other confidential records.

Ability to:

• Interpret, understand and adhere to applicable public health laws and rules relating to legislatively mandated newborn screening and associated confidential information.
• Maintain several projects simultaneously.
• Communicate effectively orally, via the telephone and in writing.
• Follow written and verbal instructions.
• Interact effectively with staff.
• Work in harmony with other team members.
• Work as part of a team adhering to structured deadlines for completion of critical laboratory procedures that are performed in high volume.
• Follow standard operating procedures and protocols accurately.
• Use a computer and operate standard office equipment.
• Maintain files, records, and databases accurately.
• Complete tasks without close supervision and use considerable discretion and mature judgment in interactions with public and interpretation of protected health data.
• Understand/ interpret laboratory results and public health law and regulations.
• Prioritize and organize detailed tasks to maintain required team timeframes.
• Climb stairs and use ladders/step-ladders.
• Lift/push/pull/carry packages up to 40lbs repeatedly throughout a workday.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Six (6) months of experience reviewing and performing quality assurance checks and/or analyzing documents.
• Experience working with confidential materials.
• Six (6) months experience working with internal customers and external customers, preferred.
• Experience training others, preferred.
• Experience working in a clinical, research or environmental laboratory OR experience in public health work, preferred.
• Microbiology and Chemistry semester hour coursework from a U.S. accredited college or university or a foreign degree/coursework determined to be equivalent by an acceptable education evaluator, preferred.

Additional Information:

Work Schedule: Must be able to work holidays. https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Holidays

Immunizations: Compliance with DSHS Laboratory Exposure Control Plan required. Vaccine requirements are consistent with current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations and other national guidelines for employee groups based upon job duties and tasks.

Risks: High Hepatitis risk.

Coursework: Include a list of all Microbiology and Chemistry semester hour courses/credit hours on application.

Environmental or Hazard Demands of Essential Job functions:

• Working:

• Lifting/Pushing/Carrying/Pulling; Climbing stairs/step-ladders; Indoors; Sitting; Walking; Hearing; Vision

• Exposure to:

• Human blood, bodily fluids, tissue or wastes

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor's Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 form