Laboratory Technologist I - THURMOND/GAZES RESEARCH BLDG

Job Description Summary

Provide veterinary diagnostic laboratory functions to incl to PCR, blood analysis, necropsy, managing maintenance of lab equipment.

Entity

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC - Univ)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Classified

Cost Center

CC001152 DLAR Division Of Laboratory Animal Resources

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Grade

University-04

Pay Range

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

1.1 Weight 30%.

Laboratory Management: Facilitates continuity of lab functions; performs daily, weekly, and 
monthly maintenance for blood analysis machines.

• Orders supplies as needed and completes associated paperwork; develops and maintains a 
• Standard Operating Procedure for the validation and operation of diagnostic equipment.
• Manages records of all tests performed and data collected.
• Organizes and retains all necessary records for the diagnostic laboratory.
• Cross-trains lab and other departmental personnel on maintenance and 
• utilization of lab equipment.
• Prepares quotes for billing by the administration staff.
• Prepares laboratory annual report.
• Arranges for annual calibration of departmental scales and pipettes. Essential

1.2 Weight 25%.

• Colony Management: Manage and work effectively and efficiently with collaborators and other groups who need Colony Management support.
• Establishes and implements breeding schemes to optimize number of animals required for numerous investigators on campus.
• Collects tissue samples and performs PCR and gel electrophoresis for the purpose of genotyping. Prepares all solutions needed for genotyping; maintains records of colony status, procedures performed, and actions taken. 
• Maintains a database of all animals in the colony.
• Distributes the animals to other investigators as requested.
• Orders supplies as needed.
• Performs other related duties as required.
• Ensures that all billable costs are communicated to the departmental administration staff for invoicing.
• Trains investigators across campus in colony management basic skills.
• Guides lab personnel in colony management techniques and theory. Essential

1.3 Weight 10%.

• Sentinel Program: Maintains DLAR’ s sentinel animal program for the control of disease and pathogens in animal housing areas.
• Orders animals required.
• Collects blood, tissue, and swab samples for testing; communicates with facility supervisors about schedule and sampling needs. 
• Ships the samples appropriately to the testing center.
• Performs necropsies as needed on sentinel animals.             
• Reports results when received. Essential
   

1.4 Weight 10%.

• Technical and Diagnostic Services: performs requested tests on blood samples collected by departmental staff or investigators.
• Collects blood for testing as requested.
• Performs RT-PCR analysis of samples for pathogens for the cross-foster program or follow-up sentinel testing.
• Prepares and ships samples to outside labs for analysis.
• Assists as needed with Technical Service procedures (gavage, tail vein injections, tumor 
• measurements, injections, obtaining samples, etc.) or trainings.
• Trains others, including DLAR staff and investigators, in sample collection/phlebotomy techniques in rodents.
• Reports time for billing to administration staff or others as needed. Essential

1.5 Weight 10%.

• Animal shipment and transfers: performs procedures animal import/export (non-approved vendors).
• Communicates with other institutions to arrange shipment.
• Gathers any information required by other institutions for approval.
• Reviews and summarizes all supplied information to communicate with veterinarian.
• Arranges for shipment; prepares and packs up animals for transport.
• Keeps records of all imports/exports performed; prepares quotes for billing by the administration staff.
• Applies ectoparasite treatments to the imported rodents; collects samples for quarantine testing, ships the samples, and reports the results.
• Communicates the results to husbandry staff and investigator for release.
• Ensures animal testing for transfers is done in a timely manner.

1.6 Weight 5%.

• Manage records of all tests performed and data collected.
• Organizes and retains all necessary records for the diagnostic laboratory.
• Cross-trains lab and other departmental personnel on maintenance and utilization of machines. Creates and distributes invoices to research investigators for services rendered.

1.7 Weight 5%.

• Necropsy and biological sample handling: Assist with necropsies.
• Performs necropsies of rodents as needed; provides diagnostic and research pathology.
• Maintains records and a database of all information collected from necropsy and tissue samples collected.
• Collects biological samples.
• Filing and storage of samples and slides.
• Maintenance of a beetle colony for use in necropsy procedures.
• Guides lab personnel in necropsy techniques and record keeping.
• Research, write supervise and format protocols for animal research.

1.8 Weight 5%.

• Other duties as assigned.

MUSC Minimum Training and Experience Requirements:

An associate degree or equivalent technical training in biology or the natural sciences and work experience in a laboratory environment; or a high school diploma along with journey level work experience in a laboratory environment. Must be able to work with animals.

Physical Requirements:

(Note: The following descriptions are applicable to this section: Continuous - 6-8 hours per shift; Frequent - 2-6 hours per shift; Infrequent - 0-2 hours per shift).

Ability to perform job functions in an upright position. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions in a seated position. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile. (Frequent) Ability to climb stairs. (Infrequent) Ability to work indoors. (Continuous) Ability to work in all cold temperature extremes, i.e. spot coolers. (Frequent) Ability to bend at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to perform 'pinching' operations. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (Continuous) Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both legs. (Continuous) Ability to reach in all directions. (Continuous) Possess good finger dexterity. (Continuous) Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (Continuous) Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (Continuous) Ability to lift and carry 30 lbs., unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lift objects, up to 30 lbs., from floor level to height of 72 inches, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lower objects, up to 30 lbs., from height of 72 inches to floor level, unassisted.  (Frequent) Ability to push/pull objects, up to 50 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent)
Ability to lift and carry objects up to 30 lbs. a distance of five (5) floors and to outlying buildings. (Frequent) Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects at a distance. (Continuous) Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (Continuous) Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects, depth perception. (Continuous) Good peripheral vision capabilities. (Continuous) Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (Continuous) Must be ambidextrous. Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous) Ability to be qualified physically (by medical personnel) for respirator use, initially and annually. Ability to work alone in isolated areas, such as darkrooms. (Frequent) Additional New Requirements: Ability to obtain and maintain a valid driver's license. Computer literacy. Ability to work rotating shifts as required. Ability to work overtime as required. Ability to learn and use new processes, tools and equipment as required.

Physical Requirements: (DLAR Specific):
Must be able to lift 50 lbs. above waist routinely. Must be able to work with animals. May be exposed to animal allergens. May be exposed to zoonotic diseases. Must be able to work in dusty environments. May have to work in wet areas. Must be able to properly wear DLAR issued PPE. Must be able to work in reverse light cycle rooms. May have to work in confined spaces. Must be able to understand safety requirements for autoclave rack washer and tunnel washer.
 

Additional Job Description

Minimum Requirements: An associate degree or equivalent technical training in electronics technology, biology, or the natural sciences and one year work experience in a laboratory environment; or a high school diploma and two years journey-level work experience in a laboratory environment. Physical Requirements: (Note: The following descriptions are applicable to this section: Continuous - 6-8 hours per shift; Frequent - 2-6 hours per shift; Infrequent - 0-2 hours per shift) Ability to perform job functions in an upright position. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions in a seated position. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile. (Frequent) Ability to climb stairs. (Infrequent) Ability to work indoors. (Continuous) Ability to work in all cold temperature extremes, i.e. spot coolers. (Frequent) Ability to bend at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to perform 'pinching' operations. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (Continuous) Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both legs. (Continuous) Ability to reach in all directions. (Continuous) Possess good finger dexterity. (Continuous) Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (Continuous) Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (Continuous) Ability to lift and carry 30 lbs., unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lift objects, up to 30 lbs., from floor level to height of 72 inches, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lower objects, up to 30 lbs., from height of 72 inches to floor level, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to push/pull objects, up to 50 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift and carry objects up to 30 lbs. a distance of five (5) floors and to outlying buildings. (Frequent) Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects at a distance. (Continuous) Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (Continuous) Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (Continuous) Good peripheral vision capabilities. (Continuous) Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (Continuous) Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous) Ability to be qualified physically (by medical personnel) for respirator use, initially and annually. Ability to work alone in isolated areas, such as darkrooms. (Frequent) Additional New Requirements: Ability to obtain and maintain a valid drivers license. Computer literacy. Ability to work rotating shifts as required. Ability to work overtime as required. Ability to learn and use new processes, tools and equipment as required.

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

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