Director Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

Position Title : Assistant or Associate Professor and Director, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

Location: Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Fayetteville, Arkansas

Appointment : 100% Agricultural Experiment Station

Date Available: Anticipated November 1, 2024

About the University of Arkansas

Leland E. Tollett Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory:

The Leland Tollett Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) functions as a service unit within the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and is committed to the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and social responsibility. The VDL also operates as branch laboratory to the Arkansas Livestock & Poultry Commission Laboratory within the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN). The VDL opened in a new facility in 2008 and is staffed by the Laboratory Director, Lab Manager, and five lab technicians. The facility contains a drive-up window for client convenience and biosecurity; a necropsy suite with a hydraulic large-animal table, a small animal/poultry table with surgical lighting, a large capacity walk-in cooler, large capacity incinerator, and biosafety hoods, incubators, coolers, and centrifuge. Approximately 95% of the work at the VDL is from the commercial poultry industry. Approximately 270,000 serology assays are performed yearly on samples to monitor poultry health and vaccination programs, preprocessing testing, export testing, and National Poultry Improvement Plan testing. Microbiological and molecular assays account for another 17,000 annual sample assays.

The mission of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) is to be a trusted partner for animal health diagnostics, providing reliable and timely results that support the well-being of poultry flocks and the overall health of the industry.

Laboratory Home Page: /aaes.uada.edu/technical-services/veterinary-diagnostic-lab/

Laboratory Director

Summary of Job Duties:

The Laboratory Director is responsible for overseeing the overall operations and strategic direction of the Leland Tollett Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL). This role encompasses three major duty areas including laboratory administration and personnel management (30%), management of diagnostic services (40%), and industry collaboration and outreach (30%). The Director will serve as the primary point of contact for emergencies.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and Management:

Provide strategic leadership and direction for the VDL, aligning with the broader goals of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Oversee the laboratory's operations, including pathology, microbiology, molecular, and serology testing.

Supervise and mentor a team of laboratory technicians and support staff.

Manage the laboratory budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.

Technical Expertise and Quality Assurance:

Conduct pathology/necropsies on a variety of animal species to determine the cause of death and identify potential diseases.

Develop and implement quality control measures to ensure the accuracy and reliability of laboratory results.

Stay abreast of the latest advancements in diagnostic techniques and technologies.

Client Relations and Collaboration:

Provide technical consultations and advice to clients, including university faculty, commercial poultry and livestock industries, private veterinarians, and regulatory agencies.

Collaborate with external stakeholders, such as the Arkansas Livestock & Poultry Commission, USDA, and other laboratories, to address animal health issues and support regulatory compliance.

Represent the VDL at industry events, conferences, and training programs.

Facility Management and Development:

Plan for future laboratory needs, including facility renovations, equipment upgrades, and the development of new testing procedures.

Ensure the laboratory is maintained in a safe, clean, and compliant environment.

Regulatory Compliance and Accreditation:

Maintain laboratory certifications and accreditations, such as NAHLN status.

Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements and standards.

Education and Training:

Provide training and mentorship to laboratory staff to enhance their skills and knowledge.

Participate in teaching and research projects with the Animal Science and Poultry Science Departments.

By effectively fulfilling these responsibilities, the Laboratory Director will play a crucial role in ensuring the VDL's success as a leading provider of animal health diagnostic services.

Minimum Qualifications:

To be considered for the position of Laboratory Director, applicants must possess a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from a college accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional leadership and management skills to effectively motivate and mentor a team of laboratory personnel. Strong interpersonal skills are essential, including the ability to communicate technical information clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of accurately interpreting and applying laboratory results, coupled with a passion for collaborating with private industry, research faculty, and extension professionals.

Preferred Qualifications:

Specialized training in poultry production, diseases and pathology preferred. The incumbent is expected to become or be an Arkansas Licensed Veterinarian, USDA-APHIS Accredited Veterinarian, Board Certified Veterinarian (Diplomate) in the American College of Poultry Veterinarians, acquire training as a Poultry Disease/Diagnostic Specialist and in Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostics, and maintain pertinent memberships in organizations such as American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), American Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAAP), American College of Poultry Veterinarians (ACPV), Poultry Health Advisory Committee (PHAC), Arkansas Poultry Veterinary Association, and Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association (ARVMA).
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