MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST LEAD-ARP CORE FACILITIES

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST LEAD-ARP CORE FACILITIES

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is actively seeking qualified candidates for the position of Medical Technologist Lead - ARP Core Facilities. In this role, the successful candidate will be crucial in leading the UAB Gnotobiotic Mouse Core (GMC) and Comparative Pathology Laboratory (CPL). In addition to general oversight of GMC and CPL, the role also requires monthly bacterial cultures of isolators to determine microbial status. Both the GMC and CPL facilities fall under the oversight of the Animal Resources Program (ARP) and provide germ-free and gnotobiotic animal care and maintenance, histology, and diagnostic services to UAB. GMC employs two to three capable full-time gnotobiotic technicians and occupies over 1,700 sq. ft. of germ-free and gnotobiotic mouse housing in 54 isolators for breeding and experiments. GMC also has two 70-cage Tecniplast lsocageTM positive pressure isolation cage systems used for short-term experiments such as housing mice colonized with human microbiota. CPL employs one to two full-time histology technicians and occupies over 2,600 sq. ft. CPL provides services including paraffin-embedding of fixed tissue samples, sectioning, HE is staining of slides, and clinical chemistries to the UAB community, as well as diagnostic services to ARP veterinarians. If you are a dedicated professional passionate about animal care and possess the necessary skills and experience, we invite you to apply for this rewarding opportunity at UAB. Join us in contributing to advancing research and the well-being of laboratory animals.



Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversees and manages daily operations and activities in the Gnotobiotic Mouse Core (GMC) and Comparative Pathology Laboratory (CPL). Supervises personnel working in GMC and CPL, responsible for coordination of collection/submission/reporting diagnostics for CPL/ARP
• Train animal care specialists, scientists, and others to follow GMC facility protocols and procedures
• Oversees inventory of supplies, equipment, and chemical supplies/manifests for GMC and CPL
• Conducts monthly microbial (bacterial/fungal) fungal cultures for GMC/ARP (environmental monitoring). Facilitates acquisition shipment of animal samples for downstream diagnostics (qPCR analyses of bacterial 16srRNA, and other diagnostics performed by outside laboratories)
• Working knowledge of bacteriology, specifically culture of bacteria and gram staining is preferred as it is critical to the job responsibilities in GMC. Clear understanding and working knowledge of the principles of and application of aseptic techniques
• Maintains strong working knowledge of microbiology and clinical pathology for CPL and for GMC-animal husbandry, derivation, and experimental procedures
• Maintains and establishes updates to SOPs for histology, clinical pathology, and specific tasks in GMC [supply preparation, sterilization, introduction of supplies into the isolators, isolator assembly/QC, transfer of mice into/out of isolators, blood/tail sampling, oral gavage, and other experimental techniques implemented in the core].
• Utilizes knowledge base and experience of these vital tasks to provide assistance to care, staff, and investigators when needed
• Understands biosecurity/barrier and health surveillance procedures necessary to maintain mice's gnotobiotic or germ-free status. Recognizes and reports sick or abnormal mice. Works with veterinary staff on appropriate care for medical cases in the GMC
• Assists care staff with curation and maintenance of up-to-date facility records documenting husbandry, introduction of supplies, breeding, systems maintenance, function and repair, import/export, and colony management of mice within GMC
• Coordinates and leads tours of CPL and GMC for guests, including new care staff, UAB investigator/staff, or visiting investigator staff. Maintains a guest and tour log
• On call with a group of others for weekend monitoring of animals within the core (rotating schedule between animal laboratory specialists, director, consultant, and this position) including holidays
• Monitoring (15 - 30 minutes to survey both rooms) involves looking in on mice in isolators to make sure there is the appropriate amount of food and water, evidence of flooded cages (require cage change), or animal deaths
• Will be expected to provide training and assistance with husbandry in GMC on occasion so must be comfortable standing for prolonged periods of time, utilizing step stools or ladders
• Perform other duties as assigned

Annual Salary Wage : $57,940-$94,150 (commensurate with experience)

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in the clinical laboratory or a related field and one (1) year of experience as a medical technologist in the clinical field or lab manager in an academic field or equivalent. Work experience may NOT substitute education experience. Medical Laboratory Scientist ( MLS ) or Medical Technician (MT) preferred.









Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with rodent husbandry and training in microbiology, specifically familiarity with microbial culture/identification, and experience with clinical samples (serum) for downstream applications (CBC, Clinical Chemistries)
• Previous experience working in a clinical setting as a medical technologist is preferred Additional experience in an academic setting as a researcher or lab manager level position is beneficial
• The ability to train and assist staff in husbandry duties is needed
• Attention to detail is critical to maintaining the adherence of staff and other individuals to established GMC/CPL protocols
• Strict adherence to procedure is critical for the maintenance microbial status of animals within isolators in GMC and for proficiency with CPL in-house and external diagnostics

UAB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and family-friendly environment in which all faculty and staff can excel and achieve work/life balance irrespective of race, national origin, age, genetic or family medical history, gender, faith, gender identity and expression as well as sexual orientation. UAB also encourages applications from individuals with disabilities and veterans.