Lab Associate Jobs in Las Cruces, NM (NOW HIRING)

Department Contact: Cheryl Mason-Herrera, 575-646-7523, cmason@nmda.nmsu.edu
Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants
Advertising Summary: As a full service veterinary diagnostic laboratory, VDS works closely with practicing veterinarians, livestock producers, animal owners, and state and federal agencies. Services provided include: necropsy, histopathology, pathology, bacteriology, serology/virology, molecular biology, and immunohistochemistry. As a laboratory, VDS administers all activities through a quality management system incorporating policies and protocols from NMDA and NMSU, in addition to those of the National Laboratory Animal Health Network (NAHLN) and ISO/IEC 17025.
Position Details
Position Title: NMDA Veterinary Lab Specialist Associate
College/Division: New Mexico Dept of Agriculture
Department: 181300-NMDA VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC SVC
Location: NMSU satellite location
Offsite Location (if applicable): Albuquerque
Target Hourly/Salary Rate: Commensurate with qualifications.
Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0
FLSA Status: Exempt
Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
Contingent Upon Funding: Contingent upon funding
Standard Work Schedule: Shift: Other Shift
If Not a Standard Work Schedule: M-F, 0730-1630
Job Duties and Responsibilities: The NMDA Veterinary Laboratory Specialist, Associate for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) performs specialized technical, operational, and laboratory coordination activities within a veterinary diagnostic laboratory environment supporting animal health programs, disease surveillance activities, regulatory diagnostic services, and accredited laboratory operations. This position serves as a key resource supporting specimen accessioning, laboratory information management activities, quality management processes, diagnostic workflow coordination, and laboratory operational continuity, all necessary to support Veterinary Diagnostic Services functions.
Responsibilities include safe handling, accessioning, tracking, documentation, and chain-of-custody management of animal diagnostic specimens, including biological materials such as blood, tissue, carcasses, and related veterinary diagnostic submissions, in accordance with established laboratory procedures, biosafety standards, and quality requirements. The position coordinates specimen routing activities, referral laboratory submissions, laboratory documentation processes, and laboratory information management functions to facilitate timely and accurate veterinary diagnostic testing services.
The position maintains laboratory records, case information, and testing documentation in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), supports the maintenance of laboratory inventories and operational resources, coordinates specimen shipment activities, and assists with the continuity of laboratory workflow across multiple diagnostic laboratory sections. Responsibilities include preparing and distributing diagnostic information, maintaining laboratory records, and supporting documentation activities necessary to meet quality assurance requirements and maintain accredited laboratory operations.
The Veterinary Laboratory Specialist, Associate incorporates Quality Management System requirements into daily laboratory functions and maintains compliance with biosafety requirements, infection control standards, environmental safety practices, specimen handling requirements, and laboratory operational procedures necessary to support accredited veterinary diagnostic laboratory operations. The position identifies workflow concerns and supports efficient laboratory operations through adherence to quality systems, established laboratory methodologies, and operational standards.
This position maintains effective working relationships with laboratory clientele, regulatory stakeholders, referral laboratories, and internal laboratory personnel while supporting diagnostic laboratory functions and Veterinary Diagnostic Services operational objectives.
This Position Performs the Following:
Coordinate specimen accessioning, documentation, tracking, and chain-of-custody activities for veterinary diagnostic submissions
Maintain case information, testing documentation, and laboratory records within the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
Coordinate specimen routing activities and referral laboratory submissions
Support laboratory workflow activities and operational continuity across veterinary diagnostic laboratory sections
Maintain laboratory inventories and operational resource documentation
Coordinate specimen shipment activities and required laboratory documentation
Maintain laboratory records in accordance with quality assurance and laboratory operational requirements
Prepare and distribute diagnostic information utilizing established laboratory procedures
Support Quality Management System requirements and laboratory quality activities
Maintain compliance with biosafety requirements, infection control standards, environmental safety practices, and laboratory operational procedures
Maintain effective working relationships with laboratory clientele, referral laboratories, regulatory agencies, and laboratory personnel
May perform other essential duties as assigned
Qualifications
Required Education and Experience:High School diploma + 1 years of relevant experience, or higher degree.
Equivalent Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
Special Certification/Licensure:Cover Letter is required.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
Physical Effort: Light physical effort. Effort applies to no more than two (2) hours per day.
Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.
Risk: Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.