Job Description

University of Utah Job Description

Job Summary

Assumes managerial and technical responsibility in one or more area/s of toxicology to include: forensic, drug abuse, pharmaceutical and research. Plans and coordinates operational functions such as delegating and performing technical functions in analytical toxicology, submitting research reports to clients and providing instruction and information to students and professionals in the lab or community.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in organic chemistry, a related field or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience) and four years experience in a clinical and/or forensic toxicology laboratory required. Experience in analytical toxicology including the basics of sample collection to the use of extremely sophisticated instruments, and demonstrated organizational, human relation and effective communication skills also required.

Some positions may require a background in the use of analytical data involved in legal situations or submission to the FDA.

Supervisory experience; advanced education in toxicology or a related field; experience in the costing and pricing of various toxicology assays, budgeting supplies, and justifying capital equipment expenditures is preferred.

Care is appropriate to the population served

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Essential Functions

1. Designs, schedules and performs biomedical analyses for research and service purposes.
2. Supervises one or more area/s of a toxicology function and performs tasks involved in the daily operations so that experiments are completed accurately and in a timely fashion. This may include: scheduling personnel and equipment, performing analytical procedures, maintaining supplies, and maintaining and trouble-shooting equipment.
3. Prepares research reports for clients and department directors.
4. Maintains a quality assurance program that includes the quality controls for each analytical method in order to assure the department's competency and credibility.
5. Teaches analytical toxicology to maintain, improve, and expand the knowledge and capability of laboratory staff, students, post-docs, and other professionals.
6. Performs analysis of research assays and procedures to determine acceptability for project study objectives. Evaluates and identifies problems generated by certain analytical methods and makes modifications as needed.
7. Presents facts regarding new and/or improved research information at professional meetings. Also, communicates informally or formally with community professionals concerning the department's capabilities in the area of toxicology.
8. Provides input to the department administrators regarding research, laboratory and personnel costs.
9. Interprets data for physicians and legal professionals, in unusual cases, to provide a rational basis for medical treatment, case investigation and legal decisions.

Problem Solving

The incumbent works independently in overseeing the assigned area. The incumbent assigns work to lab personnel and makes hire/fire/salary recommendations to department administration. Decisions involved with the daily operation of the project are usually made by the incumbent.

Coordinates personnel and equipment time to provide a smooth-functioning laboratory that handles multiple projects at one time. This involves scheduling rush projects, trouble-shooting analytical problems, and trouble-shooting instrument failure requiring either alternate courses of action or instigation of remedial activities.

Problems requiring modifications of analytical methods may be needed, requiring literature searches and/or consultation with other staff or knowledgeable people in the field.

Comments

Work Environment and Level of Frequency that may be required:

Nearly Continuously: Office environment.

Often: Infectious disease, oils (there is air or skin exposure to oils or other cutting fluids), hazards (includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, or exposure to chemicals).

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required

Nearly Continuously: Hearing, listening, talking.

Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking, standing, sitting. 

Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.

The staff member must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.  The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.