Laboratory Technician II - WSVL
About The Position
The Laboratory Technician II operates the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory’s Accessioning, Shipping and Receiving, Necropsy, and Trimming Laboratories. Duties include receiving animal carcasses, diagnostic specimens, equipment, and supplies; assisting pathologists with necropsies, sample collection, and routing; accessioning and shipping diagnostic specimens; and preparing and maintaining formalin-fixed specimens through fixation, decalcification, and trimming. The position also supports student assistants, teaching and instructional activities, field disease investigations, and research projects. This position is designated essential. Employees may be required to work during emergency or winter closures depending on job duties and the circumstances of the closure. The position is on campus in Laramie, Wyoming. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the United States; work authorization or visa sponsorship is not available.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- At least one year of work-related experience in diagnostic services, veterinary medicine, laboratory procedures or techniques, or a related field.
- Valid driver’s license and a motor vehicle record compliant with the University’s Driving for University Business requirements.
- Applicants must provide the average hours worked per week for all current and previous positions.
Nice To Haves
- Knowledge of diagnostic laboratory assays, protocols, and practices.
- Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology.
- Ability to perform physically demanding work that may require lifting up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodations.
- Experience handling and collecting biological samples, including whole animal carcasses, fresh and fixed tissues, blood, urine, and feces.
- Ability to supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff.
- Ability to perform focused work and make independent decisions in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience performing, analyzing, and interpreting advanced laboratory tests.
- Knowledge of occupational safety and radiological, chemical, and biological hazards.
- Ability to travel occasionally, locally, nationally, or internationally, as needed.
- Ability to communicate effectively, foster a cooperative team environment, and work as part of a team.
Responsibilities
- Assist with daily operations of the Accessioning, Shipping and Receiving, Necropsy, and Trimming Laboratories.
- Assist pathologists during necropsies and develop skills in collecting biological specimens for diagnostic testing.
- Dissect animal heads to collect brain tissue and route tissue for rabies testing.
- Independently perform routine procedures on formalin-fixed diagnostic specimens, including trimming, decalcification, and archived specimen maintenance.
- Accession and ship diagnostic specimens, and route them to appropriate laboratory sections.
- Collect, assimilate, and record relevant client information when diagnostic submissions are received.
- Communicate with internal and external clients and direct questions and calls to appropriate staff.
- Contribute to quality-control procedures to help ensure accurate results.
- Assist with developing and implementing laboratory procedures and methodologies.
- Operate instruments, equipment, tools, and machinery, and resource their repair.
- Assist faculty, staff, and students with laboratory equipment operation and maintenance.
- Participate in hiring, training, and managing undergraduate student assistants.
- May assist with or teach necropsy short courses and workshops.
- May assist with research projects and field investigations.
- Support additional laboratory-wide diagnostic duties as needed.
- Maintain inventory and hazardous materials in accordance with standard operating procedures.
- May assist with writing contracts, newsletters, and grants.
Benefits
- State retirement contributions of over 15% of gross salary; total contributions exceed 19% when combined with the mandatory employee contribution.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance with competitive employer contributions and four deductible options.
- Vacation leave, sick leave, paid holidays, and paid winter closure.
- Tuition waivers for employees and eligible dependents.
- Wellness initiatives, counseling services, and mental health resources.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
