Job Title

Diagnostic Technician - Bacteriology

Agency

Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

Department

College Station - Bacteriology

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

About Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL)

The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) is a vital member of the Texas A&M University System and one of four agencies within Texas A&M AgriLife. As Texas’ only state agency exclusively dedicated to diagnostic testing for animal and public health, TVMDL has served the state for more than fifty years. With two full-service labs in College Station and Canyon and specialized poultry labs in Center and Gonzales, TVMDL completes more than one million tests annually for clients in Texas, across the U.S., and around the world.

TVMDL’s mission is to promote animal and public health through excellence in veterinary diagnostic services. Routine diagnostics, disease surveillance, and specialty services support a wide variety of animal species and industries, helping protect Texas’ agriculture and economy from disease outbreaks. TVMDL’s clients include veterinarians, animal owners, livestock producers, government agencies, zoos, and researchers—serving over 6,000 clients each year and providing timely, accurate, and reliable results through state-of-the-art laboratory testing.

Committed to innovation and service, TVMDL is recognized nationally for its membership in the USDA National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) and FDA’s Vet-LIRN. The laboratory’s impact reaches far beyond Texas: while 81% of its caseload serves Texas, TVMDL provides diagnostic solutions to all 50 states and an average of 22 countries each year.

TVMDL’s vision is to be the global leader in veterinary diagnostics, continually expanding services to protect the health of all animals.

Position Information

Job Description Summary

The Diagnostic Technician, under general supervision, in the Bacteriology section of the College Station Laboratory prepares and tests blood, urine, feces, tissue, and bacterial isolates for diagnostic purposes. Techniques include bacterial and fungal cultures, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and mass spectrometry microbial identification. This role requires the performance of routine, repetitive tasks of straightforward to moderate complexity and the ability to troubleshoot routine procedures with considerable supervision.

The Bacteriology Section is a high-volume laboratory that conducts hundreds of tests daily on animal samples submitted by veterinarians and animal owners. Timeliness, accuracy, and the ability to remain focused in a high-volume work environment are vital in this position, as well as a service mindset and strong work ethic.

Responsibilities

Sample Prep, Sample Cataloging: 

Retrieves samples, visually analyzes samples for quality, orders appropriate tests in TVMDL’s computer-based laboratory information management system (LIMS), and distributes samples to the appropriate testing station. Reviews submittal forms and interprets test requests and client instructions. May file and catalog samples, slides, specimens, or other diagnostic material for archival purposes.

Testing:

Utilizes standard laboratory equipment, including centrifuge, biosafety cabinet, vortex, heat block, autoclave, and media sterilizer. Visually analyzes samples for quality and follows standard operating procedures to conduct routine laboratory test methods, including setting bacterial and fungal cultures, performing antimicrobial susceptibility testing, performing mass spectrometry microbial identification, and using microscopes to examine slides and cultures. 

Prepares reagents, buffers, standards, controls, and microbial culture media as needed. Completes proficiency tests and verifies ongoing competency for assigned assays.

Data Entry, Interpretation, Results: 

Reads, computes, and records observations, results, and measurements into LIMS. Ensures documentation for all tests meets quality assurance requirements. Reviews, releases, and publishes accurate results. Recognizes abnormal results requiring further review. Ensures confidentiality of correspondence and reports.

Client Communication: 

Communicates with clients via phone or writing to clarify test requests, discuss basic testing capabilities, and verify sample details or patient history. Ensures confidentiality of correspondence and reports.

Quality Assurance & Safety: 

Adheres to and conforms to quality assurance, safety programs, and procedures. Assists in identifying incidents of nonconformance and noncompliance. Ensures documentation for all testing meets quality assurance standards. Performs training and testing within established turnaround times. Is responsible for safe handling and disposal of hazardous chemicals when relevant.

SOPs, Procedures, Forms, Other Documentation: 

Reads, interprets, and performs all tests in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs). Reviews and recommends changes or improvements to section SOPs, forms, or other documentation related to section protocols. Generates forms and test documentation and files according to SOPs.

Supplies, Stock, Inventory, Equipment: 

Catalogs incoming supplies and stock inventory. Informs management when supply inventory is low, inadequate, or expired. Verifies instrument accuracy by running known control samples and analyzing control data. May assist in monitoring, calibrating, and verifying laboratory equipment.

Administrative Roles: 

Files electronic paperwork in a timely manner, including worksheets, forms, accession forms, regulatory forms, quality assurance and safety documentation, equipment maintenance forms, and logbooks. Abides by agency and state records retention and confidentiality requirements.

Teamwork & Cooperation: 

Works with colleagues in other testing sections and laboratories to coordinate testing for shared samples. Assists in training fellow technicians as needed. Fosters laboratory teamwork, cooperation, professional standards, and communication. Participates in cross-training with fellow Technicians in sections throughout the laboratory. Performs other job related duties as assigned.

Other:

Performs work with adherence to federal, state, Texas A&M University System, and TVMDL safety rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. Performs work to avoid exposing oneself or others to avoidable hazards by reasonable and approved methods. 

Position Details:

• This position is required to work onsite during normal business hours M-F 8 AM to 5 PM and will participate in a Saturday rotation with fellow staff members. 

• This position is enrolled in TVMDL’s Salary Step Program, guaranteeing two pay increases in the first 18 months of employment for satisfactory performance.

• TVMDL is located on the campus of Texas A&M University (TAMU). Parking permits are available from TAMU at the expense of the employee. 

• Incumbent will be required to take a pre-exposure rabies vaccination series; TVMDL will cover all costs.

• TVMDL is considered an essential component of the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) and remains operational for several “open holidays” in which overtime or compensatory time may be earned. For information on TVMDL’s holiday schedule, visit our website.  

Required Qualifications:

• High school graduation or equivalent combination of training and experience.

• Knowledge of laboratory equipment, scientific apparatus, and computer equipment. 

• Ensure attention to detail. 

• Able to multitask and work cooperatively with others. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Associate degree. 

• Experience in a clinical lab, veterinary diagnostic lab, veterinary clinic, or other animal-related occupation. Experience providing customer service to internal or external clients. 

• Knowledge of basic scientific, veterinary, or medical terminology.

• Skilled in the use of laboratory and computer equipment. 

• Ability to perform repetitive tasks efficiently and accurately. Previous experience performing sterile techniques.

• Ability to comfortably work with animal tissues and bodily fluids, maintain focus under pressure, and meet deadlines.

What You Need to Know

Salary: $21.63/hour

Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife?

When you choose to work for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.

In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following:

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums 

• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays  

• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month

• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas  

• Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife

Applicant Instructions

Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.