Microbiology Laboratory Technician, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Description

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine invites applications for a Microbiology Laboratory Technician
. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 18 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

he Microbiology Support Technician is a member of the Diagnostic Services Unit (DSU) of the University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM). Reporting to the Manager, DSU Laboratories, and receiving day-to-day direction from the Section Laboratory Supervisors and Senior Technicians, the Microbiology Support Technician carries out various activities that support the diagnostic and service functions of the microbiology laboratories. The position provides laboratory regular support across Bacteriology, Serology, Molecular, and Parasitology, with the potential to support other DSU labs.

This position requires effective communication skills, attention to detail, organization, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary laboratory team. All assigned activities must be carried out with a high degree of accuracy and professionalism and in accordance with established standard operating procedures (SOPs), quality requirements, and laboratory biosafety practices.

Work assignments may vary among microbiology sections depending on operational requirements, workload, staff coverage, and service priorities. The incumbent must be flexible and willing to be trained to perform appropriate support activities across multiple microbiology sections.

Work is of varying complexity and may involve peak periods and short timelines for completion. The incumbent must be able to organize assigned activities, respond to changing priorities, and seek guidance from the Manager, laboratory supervisors, or appropriate technical staff when required.

The position involves working with biological specimens, microorganisms, chemicals, and laboratory equipment. Appropriate personal protective equipment and established laboratory safety and biosafety procedures must be followed at all times.

The position is based at the Spy Hill Campus. However, travel to Foothills Campus may be required.

• Receive, verify, label, organize, aliquot, store, retrieve, transfer, archive, and dispose of laboratory specimens and related materials according to established procedures, while maintaining accurate specimen identification and traceability throughout the laboratory workflow.
• Prepare specimens, workstations, reagents, media, solutions, quality control materials, consumables, worksheets, and other laboratory materials required to support routine diagnostic activities.
• Provide technical laboratory support across Bacteriology, Serology, Molecular, and Parasitology.
• Depending on operational needs and documented training and competency, assigned activities may include specimen preparation for processing, culture and media setup, serum or plasma aliquoting., plate and testing preparation, molecular testing preparation, and microscopy-related specimen preparation.
• Operate designated laboratory equipment following successful training and competency assessment, and perform assigned startup, shutdown, cleaning, routine maintenance, inspections, and consumable replacement. Identify and report equipment problems or deviations to appropriate laboratory staff.
• Monitor and document designated laboratory temperatures and environmental conditions and report deviations according to established procedures.
• Maintain clean, organized, appropriately stocked, and safe laboratory work areas, including routine cleaning and decontamination of work spaces and equipment and the preparation, cleaning, or sterilization of reusable laboratory materials.
• Support laboratory inventory by receiving and organizing supplies, monitoring stock and expiry dates, rotating and replenishing consumables, maintaining storage areas and inventory records, and communicating supply needs or concerns.
• Complete assigned laboratory documentation and non-interpretive LIMS activities, including specimen and storage information, reagent preparation records, equipment and maintenance logs, temperature records, inventory records, and other laboratory or quality documentation.
• Support specimen transport and shipment activities, including preparation, packaging, labeling, documentation, cold-chain requirements, and chain-of-custody processes where applicable, in coordination with laboratory personnel and Lab Services.
• Handle and dispose of biological, chemical, sharps, and general laboratory waste and prepare materials for sterilization or disposal according to established safety, biosafety, and laboratory procedures.
• Assist with designated quality assurance and quality control activities and maintain accurate, complete, and legible records associated with assigned work.
• Communicate specimen, equipment, inventory, workflow, and other laboratory issues promptly and work collaboratively with laboratory technicians,…