Sr Technician- Lab Services

Opportunity at a glance

The candidate will apply their experience to support the growing diagnostic and research activities in the Diagnostic and Chelonian Laboratories. The Senior Lab Technicians primary responsibilities will include working closely with management to provide guidance and support on administrative related tasks; provide support for the care and rehabilitation of turtles and other exotic species; oversee and perform diagnostic testing ensuring results are accurate and released to clients in accordance with stipulated turnaround times; teaching veterinary students lab related processes in a classroom setting; and collaborate and promote a good work environment with colleagues clients and external vendors in accordance with the TEACH values of the organization.

This technical position is critical to the RUSVM strategic plan priorities.

Responsibilities

The successful applicant will ideally have knowledge and experience in laboratory procedures and policies microbiology parasitology clinical pathology; post-mortem procedures and must 1) be able to perform routine and standardized biological and biochemical examinations; 2) have the capability to learn and perform specialized analytical examinations and procedures 3) work comfortably with reptilian species. The laboratory technician should also be able to perform any additional work related to the various laboratory disciplines. The individual must be willing to work safely with potentially pathogenic organisms and materials as well as toxic volatile and corrosive chemicals and potentially carcinogenic substances. The successful candidate will ideally have teaching experience and be able to communicate effectively with the professional team at RUSVM.

Administrative Duties:

Work with the administrative assistant in the Division to ensure all orders paperwork and communications- both internal and external are completed. Assist faculty member and administrative team with the planning and execution of conservation education conferences and workshop type activities (both in person and individual) such as Sea Turtle Camp WIDECAST annual meeting CPR certifications for field volunteers Caribbean Vet Rounds and monthly regional meetings. Candidate will be responsible for ensuring that all the required paperwork for projects is submitted to research department and updated as needed in collaboration with the faculty lead for the Chelonian Laboratory. Collaboration with management to ensure the lab policies standard operating procedures and quality assurance practices are complete up-to-date and readily accessible in accordance with any local and international standards including the AVMA and AAALAC will also be required. This individual should also possess the ability to train and mentor new hires. Candidate must be able to function effectively in a supervisory role in the absence of the Diagnostic Lab Manager.

Bench Duties

Candidates will have skills in several of the following areas with the ability to specialize in one or more areas.

Exotics and Avian

Have technical oversight over the Chelonian Laboratory. The technician will be responsible for organizing cleaning and maintaining all lab supplies and field equipment. Inventory management of supplies and samples and confirming that work orders are submitted will also be required. Keep up to date on diagnostics and research lab protocols. Be able to competently assist in the rehabilitation and husbandry of injured sea turtles and other reptilian species. These include but are not limited to procurement of essential supplies food and medicine; performing visual and physical exams; procuring samples; submitting and processing specimens

Responsibilities for diagnostic testing; assisting with surgeries and recovery; administering treatment to patients or those housed as teaching animals; input data and manage patient records. Train staff and volunteers in all aspects of rehabilitation including nutrition husbandry basic first response and treatments in addition to sample procurement processing and storage.

Hematology:

Perform blood smear preparations; routine hematological staining; blood cell counting including white and red blood cell counts; differential counts; platelet counts; evaluation of blood cell morphology; hemoglobin and hematocrit estimations; and calculation of hematological index. Evaluate blood smear preparations for hemoparasites. The technician must be able to perform analyses both manually and by using the automatic analytical instruments provided for routine diagnostic hematology in the laboratory. Additional duties will include maintenance of analytical instruments basic knowledge about instrumentation and troubleshooting erroneous results when warranted. The technician must also be able to perform coagulation profiles and cross matching. Technician should be able to execute any additional laboratory tests included in the hematology procedures under supervision.

Clinical Chemistry:

Perform routine chemistry analyses on blood serum and plasma. This includes analyses performed by use of a chemistry analyzer and any manual tests as required. Additional duties also include appropriate maintenance of analytical instruments basic knowledge about instrumentation and troubleshooting erroneous results when required.

Parasitology:

Conduct routine fecal examination for suspect fecal parasite infection. Fecal analysis includes the following: being able to perform a fecal flotation McMasters quantitative method fecal culture Baermann technique identification of third stage nematode larvae wet mount and fecal occult blood test. Whole blood analysis includes modified Knotts test wet mount for microfilariae and any additional hemoparasites. Be competent in identifying parasites on skin scrapings ear swabs and cellophane tape submissions.

Urinalysis:

Be able to perform urine examination according to routine procedures for chemical and cellular components including microscopic evaluation and confirmatory tests.

Cytology:

Candidate should be capable of preparing microscopic slides for cytology and other microscopic examinations including evaluation of slides for external (skin) parasites for routine purposes.

Microbiology:

Under supervision perform routine standardized biological microbiological and biochemical examinations and analyses. Prepare media which includes sterilization pouring of plates and tubes. Receiving and processing of samples which require a working knowledge of aseptic/sterile techniques understanding of the use and plating to the various agar media employed within the microbiology section staining procedures culture and sensitivity and microscopy. Be able to prepare the necessary laboratory reagents under appropriate supervision.

Serology:

Be able to perform Snap and ELISA tests for feline and canine parasites viral antigen and antibody detection.

Research:

Conduct sample analyses in any of the above or novel disciplines. Be capable of learning new techniques and new analyzer methodologies. Give meticulous attention to data recording. Perform high-quality technical procedures in state-of-the-art molecular techniques.

Professional Veterinary Student Teaching:

Be capable of teaching related laboratory subject matter to students under the direction and guidance of the instructional team in a classroom setting; ideally will be able to function in this role independently if necessary.

The technician will be required to assist the students in their laboratory work-ups during their practical training and train the students to have good laboratory practice.

Will be required assist the instructional team with the preparation of learning material of the various laboratory disciplines.

Technician will be required to lead on the setting up and breakdown of the student labs. This includes all necessary preparations collections clean-up and proper disposal for the following student labs:

Reptilian Laboratory (physical exams venipuncture and hematology radiology); Clinical Pathology (hematology urinalysis and cytology); Microbiology (bacteriology and mycology) and Parasitology (helminthology protozoology and entomology).

Be capable of mentoring students who engage in research projects assisting them and aiding them in any of the above described techniques.

Lab Housekeeping and Safety:

Additional responsibilities may include the preparation of laboratory reagents; cleaning washing and regular maintenance of laboratory instruments and equipment; ensuring that the laboratory is kept clean organized and well maintained; performing regular inventory of basic reagents and supplies and advising on orders that

Responsibilities need to be placed. Catalogue freeze and label samples when required. The successful candidate must adhere to all laboratory safety guidelines established by the institution. These safety procedures include successful completion of laboratory safety trainings; knowledge of basic laboratory safety; emergency procedures; personal protective equipment; and appropriate disposal of biohazard waste. The technician will assist in the autoclaving of biohazard waste consumed within the Laboratories. The technician will stay abreast of all administrative policies and procedures that are available in laboratory safety manuals material safety data sheets (MSDS) and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Team Engagement and Enablement

Possess and promote the ability to work in a team environment and to relate to the team. Be willing to cross-train and provide support across the lab departments (Anatomy Histology and Pathology) in the Division of Laboratory Services. Assist in organizing social and community events to foster engagement in Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) initiatives and the allied health professions field while reinforcing the organizations position as a trusted community partner

Qualifications :

• Masters Degree Preferred or
• Bachelors degree in biology or a related field combined with additional years of experience Required
• Medical Technology Certification Preferred
• 5 years experience in a laboratory setting with an in-depth knowledge of hematology clinical chemistry microbiology parasitology and serology Preferred
• Good knowledge in Microsoft Office Windows XP 7 and 8 and database applications.
• Basic knowledge of reptilian husbandry and sample procurement is an asset.
• Be capable of learning new techniques and new analyzer methodologies.
• Ability to work in KoboToolbox VADDS and other data entry programs.
• Ability to lift at minimum 23 kgs (50lbs).
• Capacity to work independently as work with turtles and other reptilian species are guided by season and animal needs and will not always be in conjunction with a team.
• Flexibility to work weekends and holidays.
• Possess excellent organization verbal and written communication skills.
• Communicate professionally in a corporate veterinary medical environment.

Additional Information :

Equal Opportunity Minority / Female / Disability / V / Gender Identity / Sexual Orientation

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time