Diagnostic Lab Technician

About Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM), an Adtalem Global Education institution, prepares students to become veterinary leaders by drawing connections among animals, people and the planet, as a member of the One Health Initiative. RUSVM offers research programs focused on emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases, conservation medicine and ecosystem health. RUSVM has graduated more than 6,000 students and offers postgraduate master’s, PhD, and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) programs accredited by the St. Christopher & Nevis Accreditation Board and the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. RUSVM is located on St. Kitts and includes the Ross University Veterinary Clinic, accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association.

Visit veterinary.rossu.edu for more information, and follow on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

 

The candidate will apply their experience of scientific, laboratory settings to support the growing diagnostic and research activities in Lab Services (Diagnostic Laboratory). The Lab Services Technician primary responsibilities will include performing 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.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
The successful applicant will ideally have knowledge and experience in laboratory procedures and policies, microbiology, parasitology, and clinical pathology and must 1) are able to perform routine and standardized biological and biochemical examinations; 2) have the capability to learn and perform specialized analytical examinations and procedures. 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.

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

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 as supervised by the laboratory director, manager and/or the professor.

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, McMaster’s quantitative method, fecal culture, Baermann technique, identification of third stage nematode larvae, wet mount, and fecal occult blood test. Whole blood analysis includes modified Knott’s 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. Provide the necessary assistance in cytology as indicated by the lab director, manager and/or the professor.

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. Additional tasks involve the cleaning, washing and regular maintenance of laboratory instruments and equipment. Ensure that the laboratory is clean, organized, and well maintained. This includes but not limited to sterilization and proper disposal of waste material. Maintaining regular inventory of basic reagents and supplies; and informing the lab manager/administrative assistant when additional supplies are needed.

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.

Additional responsibilities may include the preparation of laboratory reagents for hematology and blood chemistry analyses, urine and fecal examinations; 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 the technical research lead, laboratory director and/or faculty investigator of supplies required to be ordered. Catalogue, freeze and label all serum samples.

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 assist the students in their laboratory workups during their practical training and train the students to have good laboratory practice.
Assist the instructional team with the preparation of learning material of the various laboratory disciplines.

Technician will perform the setting up and breaking down of student labs. This includes all necessary preparations, collections, clean-up, and proper disposal for the following student labs:
•Clinical Pathology (hematology, urinalysis, and cytology)
•Microbiology (bacteriology and mycology)
•Parasitology (helminthology, protozoology, and entomology).

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

• •Bachelor’s degree, or Associates degree in Biology or a related field.
  •Certificate in Medical Technology not required but considered an asset.
  •Additional years of experience in a laboratory setting with an in-depth knowledge of hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, parasitology, and serology is beneficial.
  •Communicate professionally in a corporate veterinary medical environment.
  •Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  •Organizational and communication skills are essential.
  •Capacity to work independently.
  •Flexibility to work overtime, weekends, public holidays, and on-call during nights.

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