Veterinary Technologist - Rainbow Chicken

Trending Talent Solutions; Rustenburg; On-site; ZAR 350,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Trending Talent Solutions is seeking a Veterinary Laboratory Technician with hands-on experience in ELISA and rapid plate agglutination testing. You will process environmental and animal-derived samples for Salmonella detection, maintain quality controls and ensure safe laboratory operations.

Required qualifications include a National Diploma or BTech/Bachelor in Veterinary Technology with SAVC registration where applicable.

Qualifications

• Matric certificate.
• National Diploma or Bachelor of Technology/Degree in Veterinary Technology, or equivalent recognized for SAVC.
• Current SAVC registration as Veterinary Technologist, where required.
• Training/competence in ELISA and rapid plate agglutination methods.

Responsibilities

• Receive, verify, register, label and assess samples for acceptance.
• Prepare samples, reagents, controls and media for ELISA and microbiology testing.
• Perform ELISA testing with incubation, washing and reading.
• Perform rapid plate agglutination testing and record results.
• Process environmental and animal-derived samples for Salmonella testing.
• Apply quality controls and investigate invalid results.
• Capture data and prepare graphs for veterinary interpretation.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and report deviations.
• Ensure biosafety, waste management and safety compliance.

Skills

ELISA principles

Plate agglutination interpretation

Sample processing

Pipetting accuracy

QA data review

Equipment operation

Biosafety knowledge

English communication

Education

National Diploma or BTech/Bachelor in Veterinary Technology

Tools

ELISA equipment (plate reader)

Microbiology tools

Job description

Conduct veterinary diagnostic serology testing using ELISA and rapid plate agglutination methods, and process raw material, environmental samples, animal-derived samples and processed products for the detection and/or isolation of Salmonella spp and other microbes relevant to poultry, in accordance with approved methods, quality requirements and laboratory safety procedures.

Required Knowledge & Skills:

• Knowledge of veterinary diagnostic serology principles, ELISA methodology, rapid plate agglutination reactions and interpretation of control and sample results.
• Knowledge of microbiological processing of environmental and animal-derived samples for Salmonella spp. testing, including contamination control and aseptic technique.
• Ability to prepare and handle reagents, controls, media and reference materials in accordance with approved instructions.
• Ability to recognise invalid test runs, atypical reactions, contamination, equipment malfunction and deviations from acceptance criteria.
• Competence in accurate pipetting, dilution preparation, sample traceability, technical recordkeeping, calculations and data review.
• Ability to operate and perform routine checks on ELISA and microbiology equipment and to escalate faults appropriately.
• Knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requirements relevant to personnel competence, equipment, metrological traceability, externally provided products and services, method verification/validation, handling of test items, technical records, ensuring validity of results and reporting.
• Knowledge of laboratory biosafety, biosecurity, chemical safety, biological waste management and contamination prevention.
• Computer literacy and the ability to capture, review and report laboratory data accurately.
• Clear written and verbal communication in English, with the ability to communicate technical information professionally.

Required Qualification and Experience:

• Matric certificate
• National Diploma or Bachelor of Technology/Degree in Veterinary Technology, or an equivalent qualification recognised for registration in South Africa.
• Current registration with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) as a Veterinary Technologist, where required for the scope of practice.
• Documented training and demonstrated competence in the assigned ELISA, rapid plate agglutination and Salmonella spp. test methods before independent testing or result authorization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Receive, verify, register, label and assess samples against applicable acceptance criteria, while maintaining sample identity, integrity and traceability.
• Prepare samples, reagents, controls, media and equipment for ELISA, rapid plate agglutination and microbial testing in accordance with approved standard operating procedures and test methods.
• Perform ELISA testing, including plate preparation, addition of samples and controls, incubation, washing, reading and interpretation of results against approved validity and acceptance criteria.
• Perform rapid plate agglutination testing, including preparation of samples and controls, reaction assessment and recording of results according to the approved method.
• Process environmental samples, animal-derived samples, raw material and processed product for Salmonella spp. and other microbe testing, including the applicable sample preparation, enrichment, selective culture, examination of suspect colonies and confirmatory activities specified in approved methods.
• Receive, verify, register, label and assess samples against applicable acceptance criteria, while maintaining sample identity, integrity and traceability.
• Prepare samples, reagents, controls, media and equipment for ELISA, rapid plate agglutination and microbial testing in accordance with approved standard operating procedures and test methods.
• Perform ELISA testing, including plate preparation, addition of samples and controls, incubation, washing, reading and interpretation of results against approved validity and acceptance criteria.
• Perform rapid plate agglutination testing, including preparation of samples and controls, reaction assessment and recording of results according to the approved method.
• Process environmental samples, animal-derived samples, raw material and processed product for Salmonella spp. and other microbe testing, including the applicable sample preparation, enrichment, selective culture, examination of suspect colonies and confirmatory activities specified in approved methods.
• Apply positive, negative and other required quality controls; assess run validity and promptly investigate or elevate invalid, atypical or out-of-specification results.
• Accurately capture raw data, calculations, observations, quality-control outcomes and test results in laboratory worksheets and/or the laboratory information system and prepare graphs for Veterinarian summary and interpretation..
• Review own work for completeness and technical accuracy and submit results for review or authorization in accordance with assigned competency and authorization.
• Operate, verify, clean, maintain and perform routine checks on relevant laboratory equipment, including ELISA plate readers and washers, incubators, refrigerators, freezers, pipettes, centrifuges and microbiology equipment.
• Monitor and record environmental and equipment conditions that may affect test validity, and report deviations in accordance with the quality management system.
• Prepare, label, store and monitor reagents, controls, antigen, media and consumables; check lot numbers, expiry dates, storage conditions and stock levels.
• Comply with biosafety, biosecurity, infection-control, waste-disposal and occupational health and safety requirements when handling potential biohazardous samples.
• Participate in method verification or validation, measurement uncertainty activities where applicable, proficiency testing, internal quality control, corrective actions and continual improvement.
• Assist with training and competency assessment of authorised personnel or interns when formally assigned and competent to do so.
• Perform other laboratory duties reasonably related to the role, as assigned by the Laboratory Manager.

Experience and Training:

• 3-5 Years practical experience in a veterinary, food, microbiology, serology or diagnostic testing laboratory is preferred.
• Practical training or experience in ELISA and rapid plate agglutination testing is required for independent performance of the assigned methods.
• Practical training or experience for Salmonella spp. testing is required for independent performance of the assigned methods.
• Experience working within an ISO/IEC 17025 quality management system

Competences:

• Current SAVC registration and continuing professional development compliance, where applicable.
• Demonstrated method-specific competence in ELISA and rapid plate agglutination testing.
• Demonstrated competence in processing samples for microbial testing.
• Understanding and practical application of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and the laboratory quality management system.
• Aseptic technique, contamination control, biosafety and biosecurity awareness.
• Method verification/validation, internal quality control and proficiency-testing participation, as assigned.
• Attention to detail, integrity, accountability, analytical thinking, prioritisation and effective time management.
• Commitment to impartiality, confidentiality, ethical conduct and continual improvement.