Parasitology Laboratory Manager and Quality Technician

Colorado State University; United States; On-site; USD 57,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory in Fort Collins, CO seeks an Administrative Professional to serve as Parasitology Laboratory Manager and Quality Technician. This full-time, in-person role requires after-hours and weekend work as caseload and diagnostic demand dictate, and may include on-call duties during emergencies.

Responsibilities span supervising Parasitology staff, maintaining quality systems, writing SOPs, ensuring accurate test results, and meeting

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in microbiology or related science field.
• At least 1 year of experience performing diagnostic testing.
• At least 1 year of experience leading a team or managing projects.
• Experience with veterinary laboratory QA/QC programs is highly preferred.
• Knowledge of veterinary parasitology laboratory diagnostic methodologies is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead Parasitology and Quality sections to ensure testing excellence.
• Ensure diagnostic testing accuracy and adherence to quality procedures.
• Provide staff training, scheduling, and performance feedback.
• Write and review SOPs and quality documentation; conduct internal audits.
• Maintain high client service standards and timely reporting of results.

Skills

Team leadership

Diagnostic testing

Quality assurance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in microbiology

Job description

Job Description Position Summary

This is an Administrative Professional position at the Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (CSU VDL) in Fort Collins, Colorado. This is an in-person position. This position will serve in two roles: 1) Parasitology Laboratory Manager, and 2) Quality Technician. The position is full-time with a schedule based on section needs. This position may require after-hours and weekend work, based on caseload and urgent testing or laboratory needs. On call hours may be required for this position. This is an essential position, and the employee may be required to report to work, without delay, on some weather closure days and various holidays throughout the year. This position will be required to report to work for emergency disease response requests and may be required to work significant hours (exceeding 40 hours per week) during a disease outbreak detection and response effort or other important diagnostic effort. In-state and out of state travel will be required to provide quality services to the branch laboratories, and attend diagnostic, quality and other related meetings and trainings. This position will also be expected to travel to help with outbreak testing and other lab events.

Description of Work Unit

At the CSU Veterinary Health System, animals and the people who care for them are at the heart of everything we do. Every decision we make reflects our commitment to those who trust us with their animals’ health. That focus inspires us to deliver expert veterinary services, support veterinary education and training, and advance groundbreaking research. We show up every day with passion, eagerness to collaborate, and a drive to redefine what’s possible. Our deep partnership with the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences amplifies our impact, enabling us to boldly innovate and share knowledge widely.

Essential Job Duties

• Work independently and reliably in the Parasitology and Quality sections, ensuring operational and testing excellence for the VDL.
• Ensure all diagnostic testing is performed accurately, according to quality and testing procedures, and is kept up to date based on diagnostic test advancements.
• Ensure client results are accurately reported and all turnaround times are met.
• Manage laboratory staff in the Parasitology section, which includes training and mentoring, organizing section schedules, providing performance feedback, and managing issues related to staff, including conflict resolution and other performance issues.
• Serve on the Quality team and perform quality technical work, including but not limited to, writing and reviewing standard operating procedures, worksheets and work instructions; calibrating and verifying equipment; interpreting quality standards; determining departures from the quality system and correctly documenting and investigating these departures; and performing internal audits.
• Manage all quality control aspects of the Parasitology laboratory, ensure high level section performance in audits and proficiency testing, write and review standard operating procedures, and ensure that departures from the quality system are documented and appropriately managed.
• Serve as a positive role model in work performance and practices and ensure staff follow the same, including completing testing without delay, minimizing non-work-related activities, ensuring completion of tasks in a timely manner.
• Provide exceptional client services to all VDL clients, including minimizing operational and testing issues and appropriately resolving client complaints.
• Conduct diagnostic assays, including sample preparation, interpreting and reporting of routine and specialized parasitology assays or other advanced diagnostic assays.
• Ensure all personnel of the Parasitology section appropriately comply with VDL, VHS, CVMBS, CSU and state/national policies and procedures and other regulatory requirements.
• Provide essential services, including reporting to work, without delay, on some weather closure days and various holidays throughout the year, responding to various emergency disease outbreaks and important diagnostic projects, and traveling as requested to provide training or assist other laboratories.
• Other duties as assigned.

Conditions of Employment

• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for all new hires).
• Valid Driver’s License - Must possess or obtain a valid driver’s license by the employment start date and maintain such in good standing for duration of active employment.
• Essential Services Designation: Required to report without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services to ensure health, safety and welfare.
• CSU Veterinary Health System does not follow standard University Holiday Schedule due to the nature of the business. After hours and weekend work may be required.
• Must safely lift and carry items that weigh up to 50lbs.
• Candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• May be required to be rabies vaccinated upon hire and maintain protective titers (blood drawn on a schedule determined by CSU Occupational Health to evaluate status).
• On-call Status.
• Use, handling, or exposure to hazardous and/or zoonotic materials.
• Travel.
• Supervision: Supervises 1.0 FTE Ad Pro position (NEX parasitology laboratory professional). Student and non-student hourly employees as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in microbiology or a related science field.
• A minimum of 1 year of experience performing diagnostic assays or related testing work is required.
• A minimum of 1 year of experience in leading a team, managing projects, or related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of 1 year of experience with veterinary laboratory quality assurance/quality control programs is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of veterinary-specific parasitology laboratory diagnostic methodologies is highly preferred.

Salary Range

57000-65000

• Cover Letter, Resume/CV

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact. Review our detailed benefits information here. Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here. For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator. Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Inspired by its land-grant heritage, Colorado State University is committed to excellence and engagement, setting the standard for public research universities in teaching, research, service and extension for the benefit of the citizens of Colorado, the United States, and the world.

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