Laboratory Technologist

MSU Careers Details•East Lansing, MI

About The Position

The MSU VDL Bacteriology/Mycology section Laboratory Technologist processes and tests animal and environmental specimens to detect pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The role coordinates with other laboratory personnel and sections to share specimens, manage workload volume, and clarify orders. It also involves entering and retrieving information in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), preparing culture media, operating and routinely maintaining laboratory equipment, disposing of hazardous waste, and performing quality control procedures. The position processes and plates specimens on appropriate media for primary isolation, performs antigen detection testing with quality controls and resulting, and handles high-risk and zoonotic specimens in Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) as appropriate. It performs laboratory assays and procedures, including confirmatory and quality control testing, to produce results supporting animal health maintenance, diagnosis, and treatment, and participates in scheduled proficiency testing. The technologist also coordinates with and trains data-entry personnel on ordering bacteriology tests in the LIMS, trains student employees, and reads and reviews standard operating procedures. The role carries responsibility for the safety and health of others and requires strict attention to detail and protocol, exposure to materials containing organisms highly pathogenic to animals and humans, and close teamwork in the laboratory. Some specimen processing takes place in BSL-3. Work hours are Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., varying to include weekends and holidays on a rotational basis. Scheduling flexibility is required, and the position is subject to call-in based on laboratory needs or emergencies.

Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that normally acquired through completion of a four-year college degree program in a related science field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
One to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in basic laboratory techniques, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Strict attention to detail and protocol, including when handling high-risk and zoonotic specimens.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a high-volume diagnostic laboratory.
Experience in diagnostic clinical bacteriology, including specimen processing and serology.
Experience in media and reagent preparation and performing quality control.
Experience with equipment maintenance.
Customer service experience.
Experience using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and/or Microsoft Office programs.

Responsibilities

Process and plate animal and environmental specimens on appropriate media for primary isolation of pathogenic bacteria and fungi.
Perform antigen detection testing, including quality controls and resulting.
Determine which incoming bacteriology samples must be handled in BSL-3.
Coordinate with other laboratory personnel and sections regarding specimen sharing, workload volume, and order clarification.
Coordinate with and train data-entry personnel on ordering bacteriology tests in the LIMS.
Enter and retrieve information in the Laboratory Information Management System.
Perform laboratory assays and procedures, including confirmatory and quality control testing, to produce results supporting animal health maintenance, diagnosis, and treatment.
Participate in scheduled proficiency testing.
Prepare culture media.
Operate and routinely maintain laboratory equipment.
Dispose of hazardous waste.
Train student employees.
Read and review standard operating procedures.