Parasitology/Microbiology Laboratory Technician (HOSP LAB TCHN 2)

Want to be part of the most innovative veterinary team in the country? We are looking for a Parasitology/Microbiology Laboratory Technician to work alongside our world leading faculty clinicians and technicians, helping them teach the next generation of veterinarians while also serving the animals and pet owners of our community.

Under general supervision of the Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Manager, primarily performs diagnostic parasitology on clinical and necropsy specimens from domestic, equine, livestock, poultry, and marine species. Responsibilities include specimen receipt and preparation, workflow organization, parasite detection and identification, documentation of objective findings, and result entry in accordance with SOPs and established turnaround times. Follows Parasitology SOPs, participates in assigned quality assurance and quality control activities, and accurately documents results. Provides secondary support to the Microbiology Laboratory for daily sample setup, bacterial identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The incumbent works under the direction of Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) staff, the Supervisor, and the Service Chief. #CA-AR

Apply By Date 11/27/2025

RECRUITMENT PERIOD ONE MONTH: Applicants will be screened after two weeks; and then on a weekly basis. The position can be filled prior to the removal date.

Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position

• No minimum license requirement.
• College degree in Parasitology, Microbiology, Infectious Disease, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in a veterinary diagnostic or research laboratory as a hospital laboratory technician or assistant, with consistent adherence to SOPs, participation in routine quality control procedures, and accurate record keeping in a laboratory information system.
• Demonstrated proficiency using compound, fluorescent, and dissecting microscopes to observe fluorescent stains and to detect, identify, and characterize parasites and pathogens.
• Proven expertise in diagnostic parasitology, including gross and microscopic examination for parasite detection and identification, with hands-on experience in flotation, sedimentation, Baermann, McMaster counts, DFA for Giardia and Cryptosporidium, acid fast staining, and cultivation and identification of Tritrichomonas foetus.
• Skill in recognizing and describing ectoparasites and endoparasites from skin scrapings, ear swabs, necropsy specimens, and other sources in domestic and exotic species using taxonomic keys and reference specimens.
• Proficiency in safe laboratory practices, including equipment operation and basic maintenance, accurate preparation of reagents, and precise data entry and result recording in hospital and laboratory information systems, while maintaining confidentiality, infection control, and proper chemical and biological waste disposal.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks, meet established turnaround times, and maintain an orderly and safe work environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience cultivating and isolating microorganisms and applying diagnostic methods such as biochemical testing, serologic assays, and commercial identification kits in accordance with SOPs.
• Proficiency in aseptic technique and working in a biosafety cabinet.
• Skill in performing antimicrobial susceptibility testing using MIC and disk diffusion methods per SOPs.
• Proficiency operating MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry systems for organism identification within established workflows.

Key Responsibilities

• 40% - Clinical Parasitology
• 40% - Clinical Microbiology
• 10% - General Duties
• 5% - Communication
• 5% - Hospital and LIS Computers

Department Overview

The Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) is a unit that provides clinical case material in support of the teaching programs throughout the School of Veterinary Medicine on a 24-hour basis. Its primary objectives are to train professional (veterinary) students, graduate clinical students (interns and residents), and graduate academic students; to provide veterinary services to the public; to serve as a referral center for practicing veterinarians, and to advance veterinary medical knowledge.

POSITION INFORMATION

• Salary or Pay Range: $42.39-$52.67
• Salary Frequency: Bi-Weekly
• Salary Grade: 173
• UC Job Title: HOSP LAB TCHN 2
• UC Job Code: 008975
• Number of Positions: 1
• Appointment Type: Staff: Career
• Percentage of Time: 100% Fixed
• Shift (Work Schedule): 8:00am-5:00pm Monday-Friday with rotating weekend and holiday coverage as assigned. Work occasional overtime and various hours on short notice, including covering staff shortages, holiday shifts, and weekends.
• Location: Davis
• Union Representation: EX-Patient Care Technical
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
• This position is 100% on-site

Benefits

As part of the top ranked UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital team, our technicians are provided with the following benefits:

PERSONAL LEAVE

• Vacation - earn (3) three weeks per year!
• 14 paid Holidays annually
• Sick Leave - eligible to earn up to 8 hours per month (no maximum)

COMPENSATION

• Competitive pay
• Shift Differentials

CE & Other BENEFITS

• $650 Continuing Education annual allowance
• 40 hours Paid CE annually (pro-rated based on appointment %)
• $100 monthly stipend for RVTs
• Wellness and on-site Employee Assistance Program
• Scrubs provided and laundered at no cost to the employee

Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility rules by visiting either our handy Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees and our Benefits Page.

If you are represented by a union, benefits are negotiated between the University of California (UC) and your union and finalized in a contract. Read your bargaining unit's employment contract, stay abreast of current negotiations and learn about collective bargaining at UC: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/index.html

High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs

• UC pays for Dental and Vision insurance premiums for you and your family
• Extensive leave benefits including Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave
• Paid Holidays annually as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Education Reimbursement Program as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
• WorkLife and Wellness programs and resources
• On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
• Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance and legal coverage
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Qualified Employer & Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program for qualified roles
• Retirement benefit options for eligible roles including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans. More information on our retirement benefits can be found here

Physical Demands

• Standing - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Walking - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Sitting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 26-50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying over 50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling over 50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Bending/Stooping - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Twisting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Occasional Up to 3 Hours

Environmental Demands

• Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Loud noise levels - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Marked changes in humidity or temperature - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Microwave/Radiation - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Extreme Temperatures - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Uneven Surfaces or Elevations - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Complex problem solving/reasoning - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Ability to organize & prioritize - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Communication skills - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Numerical skills - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Constant Interaction - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Customer/Patient Contact - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Occasional Up to 3 Hours

Work Environment

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

May be required to wear protective clothing for extended periods of time including: gown, coveralls, gloves, masks, face shields, goggles, sleeves and head covers. Knowledge of physical properties and incompatibilities of chemicals to execute safe disposal procedures. Manual dexterity to pipette accurately. Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment.

Special Requirements - Please contact your recruiter with questions regarding which activities apply by position

• This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment
• This is a position with direct access to or responsibility for controlled substances, high risk hazardous chemicals, biological or radioactive/nuclear materials

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging

At UC Davis, we're committed to solving life's most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.

As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

To view the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere

To learn more about our background check program, please visit: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/recruitment/ucd/selection/background-checks