Section Head - Bacteriology

Texas A&M Veterinary Medical and Diagnostic Laboratory • College Station, TX

231d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Section Head, under direction, is responsible for daily oversight of the laboratory operations in the Bacteriology/Mycology testing section, including budgetary matters, routine and regulatory testing, test development, client communications, quality assurance, safety, and employee well-being.

Requirements

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Master's/Ph.D. in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five years of related experience.
• Advanced knowledge of section-specific discipline.
• Knowledge of quality assurance and safety programs in a laboratory.
• Ability to perform assigned assays with no technical supervision and considerable independent decision making.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong managerial skills.
• Strong leadership ability.
• Ensures attention to detail.
• Able to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

Nice To Haves

• Seven or more years of experience in bacteriology/mycology testing (diagnostics, research, or experimental work in a related field).
• Prior professional experience as a manager, preferably within a diagnostic laboratory.
• Experience validating and using MALDI-ToF for bacterial and fungal characterization.
• Experience using various methodologies (e.g. MIC, Kirby-Bauer) and interpreting results for antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
• Experience with molecular methods for characterization of bacterial/fungal pathogens.
• Advanced knowledge of diagnostic methods for bacteriology/mycology organism identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
• Knowledge of bacterial and fungal pathogens' biology and ecology, veterinary and zoonotic diseases.
• Thorough knowledge of laboratory concepts, practices, and standard procedures.
• Proficiency in operation and maintenance of various laboratory equipment.
• Demonstrated proficiency in various classical bacteriology/mycology techniques and assays.
• Remains calm under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for scientific accuracy, completeness, promptness, and generation of associated laboratory results.
• Ensures workflow coordination as well as appropriate and timely personnel management.
• Performs routine testing in the Bacteriology/Mycology section when needed.
• Serves as a subject matter expert in the scientific discipline as appropriate.
• Ensures timely and accurate implementation of new or modified SOPs.
• Ensures consistency between TVMDL locations.
• Develops and validates diagnostic assays, generates and maintains related verification/validation records, and creates associated procedures.
• Implements new technologies and diagnostic capabilities.
• Evaluates, selects, and executes standard and advanced scientific techniques used in the Bacteriology/Mycology laboratory.
• Teaches/trains/mentors personnel as needed.
• Participates as a productive team member in support of TVMDL objectives wherever feasible.
• Performs additional related duties as required or assigned by supervisor.
• Responsible for organizing timely and accurate sample processing and preparation by section staff.
• Provides scientific oversight for daily diagnostic testing in the section.
• Reads and records observations, results, and measurements into TVMDL's approved worksheets, checklists, and into the LIMS.
• Provides excellent customer service to laboratory clients.
• Adheres and conforms to quality assurance and safety programs and procedures in the laboratory.
• Serves as document manager for SOPs, procedures, forms, workflows, and other quality assurance documents.
• Engages in strategic review of new business opportunities which may include literature and market analysis.
• Responsible for the fiscal management of section expenses.
• May serve as liaison with regulatory agencies at the local, state, and federal levels when appropriate.
• Responsible for ensuring appropriate, adequate, timely and routine training amongst section staff.
• Responsible for staff recruitment, hiring, supervision, evaluation, counseling, development and termination for Student Assistants, Technicians, Lab Supervisors, and Scientists.
• Directly manages and coordinates the efforts of other supervisors in the section (when applicable).
• Fosters laboratory teamwork, cooperation, professional standards, and communication.

Benefits

• Eligible for a partially remote work arrangement for up to 16 hours per week.
• Parking permits available from TAMU at the expense of the employee.
• Operational for several 'open holidays' in which overtime or compensatory time may be earned.
• Pre-exposure rabies vaccination series covered by TVMDL.
• All veterinarians employed at TVMDL are required to obtain either a full license or a special license from the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (TBVME).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed