Microbiologist

An exciting opportunity to join the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine
- Ongoing, part-time opportunity to work with a high-performing and passionate team in the Victorian Public Service
- VPS Grade 3: $72,751 - $88,336 plus superannuation

About us
The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) is an independent statutory authority governed by the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine Act 1985 (the VIFM Act). It is part of the Justice portfolio of the Victorian Government.
The work of the VIFM can be described as a cycle of three parts:

- Providing forensic medical and scientific services and tissue banking
- Learning from this work
- Researching and teaching.

About the role
The Microbiology Laboratory is responsible for the microbiology testing on all donor samples, as well as providing microbiology testing services to the Pathology department of the VIFM.
Microbiology staff are required to be fully conversant with the requirements set by the Therapeutic Goods Administration guidelines, the Australian Code of Good Manufacturing Practice for human blood and blood components, human tissues and human cellular therapy products 2013, and NATA Medical Testing requirements.

**In this role, your duties will include**:

- Testing tissue and autopsy samples submitted for microbiological testing for infectious agents.
- Sending various tissue, blood and autopsy samples to external laboratories for testing.
- Ensuring quality control in the performance of tests including participation in Quality Assurance programs.
- Correlating, validating and interpreting results as well as reporting and issuing these results after they have been analysed.
- Demonstrating individual professional development and compliance with the current Code of Good Manufacturing Practice.
- Maintaining up to date and accurate documentation and records.
- Ensuring the policies and technical procedures used in the Microbiology Laboratory meet minimum requirements set by the Therapeutic Goods Administration guidelines and the Australian Code of Good Manufacturing Practice for human blood and blood components, human tissues and human cellular therapy products 2013 for tissue for transplant, or NATA Medical Testing for autopsy samples; this includes meeting relevant ISO certification standards and compliance with relevant occupational health and safety regulations.
- Undertaking special projects and research activities at the Institute under the supervision of the Senior Microbiologist.
- Undertaking the maintenance, calibration and validation of equipment and stock as well as undertaking quality control of reagents and test procedures.

About you
- Clinical Microbiology laboratory experience in an industry following NATA and the Code of Good Laboratory Practice or similar.
- Proven ability to adhere to set guidelines and work instructions.
- Demonstrated ability to gather and interpret information via observation and research.
- Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills.
- Knowledge and experience in using word processing equipment and packages, including the suite of MS software.

Qualifications/Requirements
- Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Microbiology.

How to apply

**FOR INTERNAL VPS EMPLOYEES**:
**IMPORTANT INFORMATION**:
The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic). Therefore, there is a requirement that all DJCS employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to undertake duties outside of their homes.
At interview stage and prior to commencement of employment with the department, you will need to provide evidence that you are vaccinated against COVID-19 with three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Upon commencement of employment with the department you will be required to provide evidence that you have an up-to-date vaccination status within the timelines specified by the department into the DJCS Service Portal. This includes evidence of three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine required by the department (from time to time).

**Acceptable evidence includes**:

- COVID-19 digital certificate or ATAGI exemption certificate (available via your myGov account)
- Your immunisation history statement (available via your myGov account)

Other documentation outside the above will not be accepted as evidence of having received your COVID-19 vaccine doses.