Job Description Summary

VDL Lead Tech
Laboratory Management 35%
Facilitates continuity of lab functions
Oversees daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance for all machines in the lab space; calibrates machines in the lab; maintains -80 freezer.
Orders supplies as needed or informs supervisor to order as necessary.
Develops and maintains Standard Operating Procedures for the validation and operation of diagnostic equipment
Manages and oversees record-keeping of all tests performed and data collected.
Cross-trains lab and other departmental personnel on maintenance and utilization of lab equipment
Performs billing for standard lab procedures and prepares billing quotes for administration staff
Ensures compliance of lab facilities and functions with all regulatory guidelines
Colony Management 25%
Manage and work effectively and efficiently with collaborators and other groups who need Colony Management support.
Establishes, oversees and implements breeding schemes to optimize the number of animals required for numerous investigators on campus following approved research protocols.
Supervises the collection and storage of tissue samples and stores them, gives them to research staff, or sends them to Transnetyx for the purpose of genotyping. 
Supervises maintenance of records of colony status, procedures performed, actions taken, and notifies staff of abnormalities and discrepancies in a timely manner.
Maintains a database of all animals utilized through DLAR colony management services for each research colony.
Transfers animals to other investigators as requested.
Orders Transnetyx supplies and notifies supervisor when other supplies are needed. Ensures that all billable costs are invoiced
Trains investigators in colony management basic and advance skills.
Guides DLAR and research personnel in colony management techniques and theory

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-05

Pay Range

$37,860 - $53,957 - $70,054

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

VDL Lead Tech

Laboratory Management 35%

• Facilitates continuity of lab functions
• Oversees daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance for all machines in the lab space; calibrates machines in the lab; maintains -80 freezer.
• Orders supplies as needed or informs supervisor to order as necessary.
• Develops and maintains Standard Operating Procedures for the validation and operation of diagnostic equipment
• Manages and oversees record-keeping of all tests performed and data collected.
• Cross-trains lab and other departmental personnel on maintenance and utilization of lab equipment
• Performs billing for standard lab procedures and prepares billing quotes for administration staff
• Ensures compliance of lab facilities and functions with all regulatory guidelines

Colony Management 25%

• Manage and work effectively and efficiently with collaborators and other groups who need Colony Management support.
• Establishes, oversees and implements breeding schemes to optimize the number of animals required for numerous investigators on campus following approved research protocols.
• Supervises the collection and storage of tissue samples and stores them, gives them to research staff, or sends them to Transnetyx for the purpose of genotyping. 
• Supervises maintenance of records of colony status, procedures performed, actions taken, and notifies staff of abnormalities and discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Maintains a database of all animals utilized through DLAR colony management services for each research colony.
• Transfers animals to other investigators as requested.
• Orders Transnetyx supplies and notifies supervisor when other supplies are needed. Ensures that all billable costs are invoiced
• Trains investigators in colony management basic and advance skills.
• Guides DLAR and research personnel in colony management techniques and theory

Environmental Health Monitoring 10%

• Oversees the DLAR sentinel program for the control of disease and pathogens in animal housing areas.
• Orders animals and supplies as needed.
• Oversees collection of blood, tissue, and swab samples for testing.
• Communicates with facility supervisors about schedule and sampling needs.
• Oversees shipment of samples appropriately to the testing center(s).
• Reports results when received

Technical & Diagnostic Services 10%

• Manages and performs requested tests on blood samples collected by departmental staff, investigators, or research personnel.
• Oversees blood collection for testing as requested following the approved research protocol.
• Oversees and performs RT-PCR analysis of samples for pathogens for the cross-foster program or follow-up sentinel testing.
• Oversees preparation and shipment of samples to outside labs for analysis.
• Performs as needed with Technical Service procedures or training(s). This position will require occasional weekend/holiday hours.
• Trains others, including DLAR staff and investigators, in sample collection/phlebotomy techniques in rodents.
• Ensures that all billable costs are invoiced

Animal Shipment and Transfers 10%

• Performs procedures for animal import/export (non-approved vendors).
• Uses the electronic ordering system to process orders.
• Communicates with other institutions and arranges shipments.
• Gathers any information required by other institutions for approval.
• Reviews and summarizes all supplied information to communicate with a DLAR veterinarian or receiving institution for approval.
• Arranges for animals for shipment; prepares and packs up animals for transport.
• Checks the health of animals received and animals for export.
• Manages records of all imports/exports performed.
• Ensures that all billable costs are communicated to the Diagnostic Laboratory Supervisor.
• Oversees application of ectoparasite treatments to the imported rodents; collects samples for quarantine testing, ships the samples, and reports the results.
• Oversees communication of results to husbandry staff and investigator for release.
• Oversees and places transfers in LIMS system to release the animals from quarantine into the appropriate animal housing.
• Oversees and ensures animal testing and release of transfers are done in a timely manner.

Necropsy and Biological Sample Handling 5%

• Assist with necropsies.
• Performs necropsies of rodents as needed; provides diagnostic and research pathology.
• Manages records and a database of all information collected from necropsy and tissue samples collected, ensures compliance of storage space with regulatory requirements
• Collects biological samples.
• Filing and storage of samples and slides.
• Follows proper guidelines for chemical and waste use/disposal.
• Maintenance of a beetle colony for use in necropsy procedures.

• Oversees lab personnel in necropsy techniques and record keeping.

Other Duties as assigned 5%

Additional Job Description

Minimum Requirements: A bachelor's degree in animal husbandry, agriculture or a related field and four years of work experience that is directly related to the area of employment. Work experience that is directly related to the area of employment may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis. Certification in an animal care technology field may be required for positions overseeing the care of laboratory 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 a seated position. (Continuous) Ability to climb using step stool. (Infrequent) Ability to work in temperature extremes (32° F to 100 ° F) when required due to assignments in cold rooms and/or foreign countries. (Infrequent) Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (Continuous) Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (Continuous) Ability to lift and carry 4 liter waste material bottles a distance of 30 feet, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lift and carry 25 lbs. to 30 lbs. jugs of liquid a distance of 100 feet, unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to file boxes from floor level to counter tops, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lift materials up to 20 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift 25 lbs. boxes from floor level to a maximum height of 72". (Infrequent) Ability to lift 40 lbs. centrifuge rotors, from floor level to a height of 40 inches, then down 20 inches into centrifuge drum. (Infrequent) Ability to push/pull file boxes from one location to another at floor level, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to maneuver heavy equipment on bench tops (Frequent) Ability to reach, stretch, bend, while moving items/materials from both sitting and standing positions. (Frequent) Ability to conduct a variety of hand pipefitting operations. (Continuous) Ability to maintain 20/40 vision in both eyes, corrected. (Continuous) Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (Continuous) Ability to hear and recognize various alarms emitting from work area systems. (Continuous) Ability to work in a darkroom for processing film, etc. (Continuous) Ability to qualify for the use of cartridge respirators. (Continuous) Ability to work in dusty areas. (Infrequent) May require working with animals of various sizes.

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.

Medical University of South Carolina participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E-Verify program, please click here: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees