Job Number: #120
Job Details
Job Title: Clinical Pathology Laboratory Student Assistant
Service/Unit area: VDL Clinical Pathology
Hiring Managers Name: Shana Michael
Hiring Managers Email: sgmichael@illinois.edu
Hourly Rate: $16.00/hr
Job Type: Laboratory
Job Structure: After hours / as needed
Work Schedule:
- Availability over summer and winter breaks is required.
- Regular on-site shifts on Saturdays, holidays, and University “gift days” (as scheduled). Our goal is to develop a team of approximately six people to share Saturdays, holidays, and University “gift days” throughout the year. Shifts on Sundays may be added if there is sufficient staffing and interest. No on-call duty is required.
- Non-holiday weeks are expected to consist of one 6-hour shift on Saturday, handled by a single person. The proposed hours are 7:30 am to 1:30 pm; adjustments are possible based on caseload and feedback to best meet laboratory & hospital needs.
- Holiday weeks will necessitate more total hours, which can be divided among several individuals or handled by a single person, if desired.
Job Description
Duties include:
With appropriate training and authorization, follow all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure typical laboratory standards are upheld to expectations of accrediting body (American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, AAVLD). The experience gained from this position will be valuable in the veterinary clinical setting and will provide additional exposure to and experience with clinical pathology data for hospital cases.
Sample Processing
• Receive samples from the VDL Receiving department when ready
• Receive samples from the VTH and researchers between designated hours
• Properly accession samples in the laboratory computer system
• Appropriately separate and store serum and plasma samples for later testing (biochemistry, coagulation testing)
•Perform SNAP diagnostic testing
Hematology:
• Prepare blood films of good diagnostic quality and stain them for later review
• Analyze anticoagulated blood samples using the laboratory hematology analyzer
• Assess agreement between hemoglobin and hematocrit; spin a PCV if indicated
• Perform scheduled quality testing and maintenance of hematology analyzer (e.g., replacement of reagents)
• Contact on call med tech for trouble shooting/assistance as needed
• Issue preliminary CBC data to clinician
Fluid analysis & Cytology:
• Analyze fluid specimens using the laboratory hematology analyzer, hemocytometer, and/or refractometer as indicated
• Prepare direct smears and concentrated cytospin preparations of fluid samples for later cytologic evaluation
• Stain cytology and fluid slides for later cytologic evaluation
• If indicated by VTH clinician, contact on call pathologist/resident to read stat VTH cases
Urinalysis:
• Perform urine dipstick analysis
• Measure urine specific gravity
• Spin urine sample and separate sediment
• Prepare concentrated cytospin preparations of urine sediment for later examination
Laboratory Care/Maintenance
• Follow SOPs concerning use of personal protective equipment (PPE), handling of sharps and biohazard materials, and laboratory cleaning
• Complete and stay up-to-date on training and assignments in the quality management system (QPulse) and with the University Department of Research Safety (DRS)
Job Requirements
- Must be actively enrolled and attending classes at the University of Illinois veterinary curriculum.
- Must be available to work weekends, holidays, and University “gift days” as scheduled, including over summer and winter breaks.
- Students must have reliable transportation to and from the VTH.
Number of positions available: 4-6