Diagnostic Associate I – Bacteriology Lab

Position Information:

Position Title:
Diagnostic Associate I – Bacteriology Lab

Job Group:
Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree

Special Required Qualifications
Must have accurate color recognition

Preferred Qualifications:
Laboratory experience working with equipment and microbiology related tests
Experience with pipettes, scales, LIMS, autoclaves
Degree in microbiology, biology or animal science preferred
Proven experience working in a laboratory research or diagnostic team
Provides help with accessioning of diagnostic specimens into LIMS in the ISU VDL mailroom and sample processing room.

Job Description:

The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Bacteriology lab in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University is seeking qualified candidates for a Diagnostic Associate I position.

The ISU VDL is a full-service veterinary diagnostic laboratory engaged in missions of service, teaching and research on a daily basis.  The laboratory processes 90,000+ submissions from veterinarians and researchers annually.

Example of Duties
• Culture animal tissues and other specimens for pathogens including marking plates, searing and incising tissue, and swabbing to media.

• Visually analyze culture plates for presence of pathogenic organisms and make judgement decisions on steps needed for determining final identification of relevant pathogenic organisms on a case-by-case basis.

• Use Sensititure ARIS and Vizion systems and SWIN software to perform antimicrobial susceptibility testing on bacterial isolates.

• Enter tests and test results into LIMS.

• Use oral and written skills for accurate recording of results and for interacting with clients and colleagues on a daily basis in a team environment. 

• Participate in external and internal collaborative research and diagnostic investigations

• Oversee sample processing, isolation, identification procedures, and data collection and entry, as well as meet expected timetables as described in research and diagnostic investigation protocols.

• Research cases, creating avenues for new and improved testing procedures in classical molecular biology and researching complex cases.

• Train other staff and student employees on specific procedures related to current research and diagnostic investigations.

• Develop new ideas and offer suggestions for the development of protocols and implementation of protocols associated with value-added research/diagnostic investigations conducted in this section using Q-Pulse document control software. 

• Preparation and quality control of agar and broth media used for isolation and biochemical identification of bacterial organisms (both manually and via the use of automated equipment).

• Assist with inventory of supplies. 

•Follow safety guidelines for maintaining a clean and safe work area, which involved removing bio-hazardous waste and sharps, cleaning work surfaces, and potentially contaminated areas with disinfectants.

• Replenish depleted supplies, when needed, in order to contribute to the maintenance, cleanliness and orderliness of the bacteriology laboratory. 

Appointment Type:
Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:
12 Month Work Period

Time Type:
Full time

Pay Grade:
PS806

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Original Posting Date:
September 13, 2022

Posting Close Date:
September 19, 2022

Job Requisition Number:
R9368