Build your career at Viridian

FIELD LABORATORY TECHNICIAN

Full-Time, Permanent | Abbotsford, BC

THE ROLE:

Location: Abbotsford, BC (with frequent travel to farms in the BC area)

Hours: Full-Time, Permanent (Monday to Friday with some periodic weekend work)

Reporting to: Managing Partner

On behalf of our client, Poultry Health Services Ltd., we are seeking a Field Laboratory Technician. This role is an integral part of the team and provides in-person services to Poultry Health Services’ clients in the field, laboratory, and also works directly with the Veterinary team.  This role provides the successful candidate with the opportunity to learn the business from the ground up and provide leading-edge services to clients. Poultry Health Services Ltd. consists of a team of dedicated professionals who love what they do while providing industry-leading veterinary and health management services for the commercial poultry industry. Using scientific and evidence-based medicine, they strive to improve bird health, welfare and quality for their clients across Canada.

This role will provide services both in-house and on-site.  In-house, the labs provide diagnostic services to industry clients (farms, hatcheries, processing plants), and conduct postmortem examinations, bacteriology, parasitology, serology, and virology tests. On-site services include farm visits, audits, flock health checks and sample and data collection for government and industry-partner programs.

The successful candidate will work well with others and will be committed to learning and helping to achieve organizational outcomes and help shape the future of the company. This position would appeal to a professional who is engaging, communicates effectively, loves learning, and takes initiative to support others. The successful candidate will embody the company values of innovation, collaboration, respect, honesty, and trust.

To learn more about the company and their story, please visit their website at Poultry Health Services – Integrated Poultry Management

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU:

  • Competitive salary ($45,000 to $65,000 per year, dependent on qualifications and experience).
  • Participation in the health benefits program, including a wellness program.
  • RRSP matching program.
  • Vacation entitlement.
  • Continuing professional development is encouraged.
  • Access to a company vehicle for travel purposes.
  • Onsite parking.
  • Be part of a flexible, collaborative and high performing culture that provides ongoing growth opportunities and genuinely takes care of their people so they can take care of the clients.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Assist Veterinarians with post-mortems on farm and in lab, live bird handling and sample collection.
  • Field work as required: farm/plant/hatchery visits, audits, sample collection etc.
  • Processing of diagnostic samples including sample prep, labeling, and shipping.
  • Assist in data collection, farm records etc.
  • Timely and accurate field work and data collection including reporting and projection coordination.
  • Support maintenance of field inventory including field kits and cleaning.
  • Flexibility with regards to unexpected requests taking priority over planned duties.
  • Coordinate and prioritize daily tasks within a busy environment.
  • Able to handle case management/medical record keeping.
  • Complete data analysis utilizing excel graphs and other computer resources.
  • Attend team meetings and actively contribute.
  • Travel to Alberta (Airdrie) for further training within the company.
  • Assist in research projects and research project management.
  • Support the BC/AB team on managing pharmaceutical products and inventory.
  • Knowledge and expertise of all products offered by PHS.
  • Clear communication with clients to ensure timely delivery and stock of PHS products on farm.
  • Product deliveries as needed.
  • Other duties as required.

PREFERRED SKILLSET AND PROFILE:

The successful candidate for this position will have strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, and will be a self-starter that is capable of working independently with minimal supervision as well as collaboratively within a team. Additional preferred skillsets include:

  • Must be willing to travel up to 30% of the time.
  • Be experienced with writing process and procedure documentation.
  • Must have high attention to detail and have advanced analytical, technical and problem-solving skills.
  • Must be able to take initiative and be self-motivated.
  • Must be adaptable, flexible, and possess a positive attitude.
  • Outgoing personality with a sense of humour.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills.
  • Lead by example and take accountability.
  • Ability to handle confidential data with discretion and good judgment.
  • Relationship builder with team, suppliers, clients and business partners.
  • Ability to demonstrate empathy with clients while ensuring quality outcomes.
  • Experience of working within tight deadlines and turnaround times while being able to work well under pressure at peak times.
  • Ability to balance high volumes and produce quality results.
  • Able to adapt to changing situations and make decisions that support the team and client needs.

QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to the above details, other qualifications include:

  • A bachelor’s degree in agriculture, Science, Microbiology, Animal Health background or equivalent is beneficial, or completion of Laboratory Technician / Veterinary Technician program at a recognized College or University.
  • 1 year+ microbiology laboratory experience desired.
  • Be able to lift 30+ pounds and be able to stand for extended periods of time.
  • Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite of products.
  • Own reliable transportation and hold a valid driver’s license with a clean driving history.
  • Must be comfortable with the following work conditions:
    • Handling of carcasses, blood and tissue samples;
    • Live bird handling and euthanasia;
    • Ability to work in both lab and field environments;
    • Ability to operate microscope for extended period of time; and
    • Tolerance of strong odours.
  • Must be legally able to work in Canada.
  • Successfully complete a criminal back check process.