Lab Student Assistant Jobs in Yulee, FL (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 882000 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST I - 64064780

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64064780 

Salary:  $34,760 - $38,336 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 09/02/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Florida Department of Health

Bureau of Public Health Laboratories

Jacksonville Laboratory

Open Competitive Opportunity

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Responsible for processing all clinical specimen received daily. This work includes setting up of the processing room, accessioning of clinical specimens including Electronic Lab Order (ELO), Center for Disease Control (CDC) method of digestion and decontamination, adding of phosphate buffer, centrifugation, direct smear preparation/heat fixing of slides and inoculation to Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) solid media and Mycobacteria Growth Indicator (MGIT) liquid media. Will incubate, organize, and rotate LJ cultures weekly and enter Mgit tubes into MGIT 960 machine. Will keep clinical specimens tested in processing for 10 days and discard accordingly. Responsible for Fluorochrome (FA) and Ziehl Neelsen (ZN) staining, reading of Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB) slides, grading of positive slides, preparing batch worksheet, documenting results into worksheet and patients slips, confirming positive AFB smear results and entering results into LABWARE. Will document daily processing Quality Control (QC) sheet.

Will perform MGIT (Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube) testing by unloading all positive and negative MGITS tubes, putting question mark and contaminated culture "C" in AFB batch worksheet, preparing, and reading unloaded positive MGIT slides and routing all positive acid-fast bacilli for identification by PRA (Polymerase Chain Reaction Restriction Analysis).

Will perform sub-culturing on all clinical specimen received, assist in looking for send-out cultures, organize and discard Tuberculous and Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria as scheduled and perform quality control on all media and reagents needed for testing. Will support the Mycobacteriology Laboratory by being trained in and performing some aspects of molecular identification of Mycobacteria, including interpretation of results, currently used for the rapid and accurate diagnosis, of tuberculosis, as required by workload and personnel schedules.

Responsible of numbering slides, labeling LJ and Mgit tubes, ordering weekly phosphate buffers, Sodium Hydroxide/N-Acetyl-L Cysteine (NaOH/NALC) and saline solutions. Will replace Carbon Dioxide (CO2) tank as needed. Will pick up all clinical TB specimens at triage, guard, shipping and receiving. Will prepare AFB stains and acid alcohol. Will keep processing room clean and tidy. Responsible for QC and cleaning of all equipment in processing including biosafety cabinet(BSC) II hood, centrifuge, 37 degrees incubator, microscopes, LJ's and Mgits. Will document all results into QC book. Participate in proficiency testing, professional development, and student training. Will participate in autoclaving biohazard materials as needed.

Performs other duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of terminology, principles and techniques used in analysis and testing.

Knowledge of procedures, techniques & equipment used in lab testing and analysis.

Skill in the use of lab equipment.

Ability to communicate effectively.

Ability to work independently. 

Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.

Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Qualifications:

Minimum - Florida Clinical or Public Health Laboratory License in Microbiology.

Preferred - Associate Degree, Bachelor of Science, Masters, Ph.D.  

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

Jacksonville, Florida

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions

(For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);

• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.  

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov 

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida.  Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system.  E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.   

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.  

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. 

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. 

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. 

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women.  The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise.  Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.    

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans' Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans' Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.