NMDA Veterinary Lab Specialist Associate

Department contact: Cheryl Mason-Herrera, 575-646-7523, cmason@nmda.nmsu.edu. Open to all applicants.

About the role

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

• 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.
• Identify workflow concerns and support efficient laboratory operations through adherence to quality systems, established laboratory methodologies, and operational standards.
• May perform other essential duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School diploma + 1 year of relevant experience, or higher degree.
• Cover letter is required.

Working Conditions

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
• Light physical effort, including lifting average-weight objects up to 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four hours per day.
• Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, requiring following basic safety precautions.

Schedule

Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–4:30 PM.