Laboratory Paraprofessional

Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia's oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education ( https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,000 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 40,000 students including over 30,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 18 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens.

The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, founded in 1946, is dedicated to training future veterinarians, providing services to animal owners and veterinarians, and conducting investigations to improve the health of animals as well as people. The college benefits pets and their owners, food-producing animals, and wildlife by offering the highest quality hospital and diagnostic laboratory services. Equipped with the most technologically advanced facilities located on a university campus, the college is dedicated to safeguarding public health by studying emerging infectious diseases that affect both animal and human health.

The College of Veterinary Medicine values all members of the university community, recognizing that differences in experience and culture can only lead to a more well-rounded, accepting academic environment as embodied in our Principles of Community ( http://vet.uga.edu/principles-of-community/).

Monday - Friday 8:00am-5:00pm
Possible weekends and/or holidays as needed

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Requires technical knowledge in the field acquired through an apprenticeship, a 2-year degree, or professional certificate. Please contact your Human Resources office for an evaluation of education/experience in lieu of the required minimum qualifications.

Individual in this position will assist in veterinary diagnostic microbiology work. Specific duties include general laboratory maintenance, processing a wide variety of animal specimens for bacterial and fungal culture, DNA extraction, PCR, meticulous record keeping, data entry.

Knowledge of aseptic (sterile) techniques; Knowledge and skills in the culture and identification of bacterial, fungal isolates. Ability to accurately observe/interpret test results and report them using laboratory information software; Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing; Ability to manage time well and carefully follow both written and verbal instructions.

1. The successful applicant should have excellent manual dexterity
2. Ability to lift with assistance up to 50 Lbs, and unassisted up to 30 pounds.
3. Ability to see details and colors to correctly interpret laboratory results.
4. Normal laboratory environment including exposure to chemicals and odors.
5. May need to stand for extended periods of time.

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Perform test procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial, viral and fungal diseases of animals

- Evaluate submission forms to determine the appropriate tests for each specimen. Includes: Bacteriology, Mycology, and Molecular- requires sign off by supervisor Bac-D015.cv

- Set up the specimen on appropriate test media Bac-0099.cv, Bac-MD010.cv, WIBac004.cv

- Prepare cytospins for Gram stains.Bac-St105.cv

- Perform Molecular extraction procedures and PCR procedures as needed

General laboratory Maintenance

- Biohazard waste. Bac-D005.cv

- Weekly inspection of Satellite Accumulation- Monitor Waste containers and order pick-up as needed Bac-D010

- Inspect Eyewashes weekly and maintain the Eyewash log sheet Bac-D010

- Keep all extraction glassware and plastic-ware clean as needed

- Monthly and Biannual maintenance of QIAGEN Qiacubes Bac-1048

- Restock supplies
- Wash glassware and plasticware- as needed

- Rotate sample and tissue storage- Weekly/ Monthly (Bac-D015.cv)

- Prepare fresh disinfectant solution for all Bact workstations- Weekly (See below)

- Clean Biosafety Cabinets in room 141 and 139-Weekly (See below)

- Clean anaerobic containers- Monthly (See below)
- Rotate filed paperwork and package for shredding- as needed (Bac-D015.cv)

- Check CO2 - Daily- Change tank as needed (Ser/Vir 025)

- Aerospray TB maintenance- Daily/ Monthly (WI-Bac012)

- Previcolor maintenance- Daily / Monthly (WI-Bac012)

- Check Bactec- Daily (Bac-I135.cv)

- Inspect Eyewashes; Rooms 134 A&B, 135, 139, 140- Weekly (See below)

- Inspect Satellite Accumulation- Monitor Waste containers and order pick up- as needed

Quality Control

- Molecular Quality tasks such as:

Prepare and validate new lots and batches of the positive amplification controls used in the molecular testing of microorganisms, Record and reconstitute new lots of primers. Run PCR on these primers with the appropriate, PAC to ensure they are working correctly. Update the L: drive PCR worksheets to reflect lot or batch number changes. Document all results as described in SOP Bac-MD0125- Requires sign off by supervisor

- Bacteriology Quality tasks such as:

Maintain QC organisms- Weekly / Monthly (Bac-QC110.cv), Maintain MS calibration strain E. coli and QC strains, Daily / Weekly (Bac-305.cv), Gram stain QC- Weekly (Bac-St105.cv), Vitek 2 Maintenance- Monthly (Bac-I 133.cv pg12.16-12.33), Calibrate Densicheks- Weekly, Perform MS QC- Weekly (Bac-C305.cv), Maintain Media Log - Weekly (See below), Media QC- as needed (Bac-QC110.cv)

Other duties as assigned

- Participate in all proficiency tests administered by Federal agencies including, but not limited to Foot and Mouth Disease, Classic Swine Fever, Avian Influenza, Swine Influenza and Exotic Newcastle disease, African Swine Fever

- Read SOPs and perform proficiency test panels according to the protocol described

SOP-AV-0068, WI-AV-0038, WI-AV-0039, WI-AV-0050, DS-0074, DS-080, WI RVS-003

- AMR/Vet- LIRN bacterial isolate testing

- Special projects as they arise