Veterinary Laboratory Support – Sample Processing

Colorado State University • Fort Collins, CO

2d • $40,000 - $41,000

About The Position

Position Summary: Full Consideration Date: 3/12/2026 Veterinary Health System: The Veterinary Health System transforms our service units into a comprehensive veterinary medical center governed by responsible management that supports our units’ individual missions. Capitalizing on Colorado State University’s top ranking in veterinary medicine, and building on our tradition of providing high-quality compassionate care and achieving outstanding clinical outcomes, the Veterinary Health System broadens our expertise and skill to deliver the highest levels of customer service, employee satisfaction, and advancements in medicine through clinical service, diagnostics, research, and innovation. Work Unit | Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories: Faculty and staff at the CSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories (VDL) are among the nation’s finest in their fields of expertise and offer comprehensive diagnostic services. The mission of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) is to provide timely, accurate and pertinent animal disease diagnostic services and educational outreach to veterinarians, animal industries and animal interests. The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory will strive to meet the goals the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and the University through research to develop new approaches to disease identification, investigation, prevention and through education of professional veterinary medical, graduate, and post-doctoral students. This position exists to support CSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories by receiving, verifying, preparing, storing, distributing, and shipping specimens for testing; by attaching test documents and reporting results; by identifying and inserting appropriate charges to customers; and by separating specimens (possibly infectious) to submit for testing in multiple laboratory sections (spinning tubes containing blood/body fluids; creates aliquots of blood/serum/fluid/fecal specimens; determines how to split specimen and prepare for testing). The individual will open packages, accession submissions, separate and route specimens, greet the public in person and via phone or email, and answer questions regarding specimen submission. The individual will identify requests for testing not performed at CSU, contact customer, research and select alternate laboratory for submission, and prepare/package specimens for shipment. This is an essential services unit and the incumbent is required to report to work, without delay, on all/most weather closure days and various holidays throughout the year.

Requirements

• High School Diploma (or GED)
• The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. by proposed start date; Colorado State University Diagnostic Laboratories will not provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
• Valid Driver’s License - Must possess or obtain a valid driver’s license by the employment start date and maintain such in good standing for duration of active employment.
• Essential Services Designation - Required to report without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services to ensure health, safety, and welfare.
• Shift Work - CSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory does not follow standard University Holiday Schedule due to the nature of the business. Monday through Friday is typical schedule but rotation of holidays is required and occasional Saturdays needed.
• On-call Status - In the event of an emergency is declared by the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab Director, needed to meet NAHLN requirements, overtime work or work outside normal operating ours will be required.
• Use, Handling, or Exposure to hazardous materials - Exposure to formalin & formalin-fixed tissues. This position handles samples that may contain infectious agents and must follow PPE guidelines and appropriate standard operating procedures.
• Special Requirements/Other - Must safely lift and carry items that weigh up to 50lbs. May be required to be rabies vaccinated upon hire and maintain protective titers (blood drawn on a schedule determined by CSU Occupational Health to evaluate status).

Nice To Haves

• 1 year experience analyzing and accurately accessing/transferring data.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills as evidenced by submitted written materials

Responsibilities

• Receive Specimens & Testing Requests: Open packages received through USPS, couriers (Fedex, UPS, local), campus mail service, or drop-off. Review submission form(s) to ensure all information is accurate. Assign accession number(s) and route specimens with necessary form(s) to the appropriate area/section/laboratory. Scan submission documents into LIMS system before routing. Track specimens and split samples appropriately and as needed.
• Create Requests and Send Specimens for Referral Laboratory Testing: Identify test(s) not performed at the CSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories. Verify specimen is correct for test requested. Complete appropriate submission form, package and ship following international guidelines. Log case(s) into database ensuring correct data is inserted. Add appropriate charges and notes for documentation. Scan submission form(s) and shipping documents into accession and add information to internal tracking spreadsheet. Update daily spreadsheet to communicate charges to CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
• Perform Additional Client & Laboratory Support Services: Consistently provide courteous, responsive and accurate assistance to clients regarding test submission questions, general directions or results. Centrifuge specimens and aliquot resulting product for distribution to laboratory sections. Distribute supplies/packages received to various laboratory sections or to CSU hospital central receiving. Create incident reports in Quality System when pre-analytical mistakes occur in section. Stock supplies; daily cleaning and the bi-annual cleaning of entire area; temperature logging of refrigerators & freezer. Create histopathology mailers and ship to customers.
• Retrieve Packages & Perform Courier Route: Drive company vehicle to CSU Central Receiving, Federal Express, UPS, and/or other locations to retrieve packages and laboratory specimens. Perform courier route to local clinics, as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service.
• With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
• Review our detailed benefits information here.
• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.
• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED