Overview
Large Animal Milk Lab Technician Jobs in Atwater, CA at Atwater Veterinary Center
Farm Hand or Large Animal Experience Required
We are looking for a full time, Large Animal Milk Lab Technician to work a Monday through Friday 9:00a to 6:00p. The majority of your position would be in clinic, however, there are times when you would assist the Veterinarian on the Dairy or farm.
Job Title: Large Animal Milk Lab Technician
Position Overview:
The Milk Lab Technician plays a critical role in supporting all aspects of the milk laboratory at Atwater Merced Veterinary Clinic Inc. This position involves various tasks related to processing and analyzing milk samples, reporting results, coordinating laboratory services, and assisting veterinarians both on the farm and within the clinic. The technician will ensure seamless communication, timely reporting of test results, and contribute to the overall efficiency and accuracy of the clinic’s laboratory services for our dairy clients.
Primary Responsibilities:
Milk Sample Management: Prepare and plate milk samples according to the specific needs of each dairy client.
Laboratory Reporting: Use dairy software to retrieve results from veterinarians and communicate these results promptly to dairies and veterinarians. Ensure timely reporting at the start of the shift and throughout the day.
Urine PH run Urine PH for specific Veterinarians and promptly report results.
Immunoglobulin G (IgG) testing including prepare, read and report IgG results.
Data Entry and Record Keeping: Maintain accurate records for all laboratory samples and results.
Supply Management: Maintain stock levels for essential veterinary supplies (Brucellosis tags, Silver tags, vaccines, etc.) and inform the Large Animal Coordinator about ordering needs. Ensure that all necessary laboratory and animal care supplies are available.
Equipment Maintenance: Troubleshoot and maintain laboratory equipment, including Urine pH meters, BHBA meters, incubators, and microscopes. Ensure equipment is functioning correctly and notify the team of maintenance needs.
Sample Shipping: Prepare, package, and ship various laboratory samples (milk, blood, feces, ear notches, Johnes screening, etc.) to appropriate external laboratories in a timely manner.
On-Farm Support: Assist veterinarians on the farm as needed, ensuring that all laboratory-related tasks are completed efficiently during on-site visits.
Collaboration: Work closely with the Large Animal Coordinator and other veterinary staff to provide seamless service to dairy clients. Act as a liaison between veterinarians and clients, maintaining strong communication and good relationships.
Client Collaboration: Work to develop a working relationship with Dairy clients to ensure their trust in our abilities. Attend to their needs and request in a timely manner.
Compliance and Safety: Follow OSHA regulations regarding biohazard control in the milk lab, ensuring cleanliness and safety protocols are consistently followed.
Animal Transportation Preparation: Work closely with Dairy workers and State Officials to gather proper information to complete paperwork to complete paperwork for Health Certificates, Tuberculosis and Brucellosis
Any other duties requested and/or directed by veterinarians, leads or management.
Skills and Knowledge:
Have an understanding of how a Dairy works i.e. what types of vaccines the animal may need, what types of tags correlate with what vaccines, illness that can typically happen on the Dairy or farm, etc.
Have an understanding of what is considered an emergency for varies species treated on the Dairy and/or farm.
Understanding of veterinary procedures for receiving, treating, and scheduling laboratory tests.
Knowledge of sterilization techniques for veterinary instruments and laboratory materials.
Ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory instruments and equipment.
Basic proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Dropbox, and other veterinary software platforms (e.g., DC305).
Strong organizational and multitasking skills, with a focus on accuracy and attention to detail.
Ability to work independently, remain calm under pressure, and troubleshoot problems when they arise.
Clear and effective communication skills, both written and verbal.
Must be able to work with various large animals including, Bovine, swine, camelids, goats, and more.
Must be detail oriented and cannot rush through tasks.
Must have good penmanship to ensure accurate animal IDs are read.
Must be able to work with and read numbers and keep them in order as written.
Physical Requirements:
Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and stoop for extended periods.
Capable of lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs. and handling animals weighing over 1,000lbs as needed.
Comfort with working in environments that may involve body fluids, blood, and other biohazardous materials.
Comfort with working in uncontrolled temperature settings when on the Dairy or farm.
Ability to work in a fast and slow-paced environment, handling multiple tasks simultaneously.
Qualifications:
Must have a valid driver’s license and pass a drug screening test.
No history of DWI or reckless driving incidents.
Must be flexible and adaptable to changing schedules and farm visit requirements.
High attention to detail and accuracy when working with laboratory data.
Strong initiative and self-motivation; able to work independently with minimal supervision.
Willingness to learn new software and technologies as required (Excel, Dropbox, To-Do List, DC305, etc.).
Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to remain calm and focused under pressure.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain positive relationships with clients and coworkers.
Reporting Structure:
Supports all large animal (LA) veterinarians in processing and reporting laboratory samples.
Reports to the Practice Manager for general oversight and coordination of duties.
This position provides the opportunity to play a vital role in providing high-quality veterinary services to dairy clients while developing hands-on expertise in laboratory operations, animal health, and veterinary care. If you are highly organized, detail-oriented, and ready to support a busy clinic, we encourage you to apply.
Compensation: Entry level starts at $17.00 per hour
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $17.00 – $19.00 per hour
Benefits:
401(k)
Dental insurance
Employee discount
Health insurance
Paid time off
Schedule:
8 hour shift
Work Location: In person
Title: Large Animal Milk Lab Technician
Company: Atwater Veterinary Center
Location: Atwater, CA
