The Texas A&M University System

Agency

Department

The Veterinary Pathologist, under general direction, in the Canyon Laboratory conducts necropsy and histopathology examinations, prepares written reports, and communicates with clients. The pathologist will participate in weekend and holiday necropsy rotations with other pathologists. The pathologist will consult with other diagnosticians and may have the opportunity to participate in the training of pathology residents and veterinary students. The pathologist will assist technical staff in identifying tissue and providing directions for trimming.  

Testing:

The Veterinary Pathologist conducts necropsy and histopathology examinations of mammalian and, depending on interest and need, avian and exotic animal tissues and carcasses to determine the cause of disease. The pathologist may be asked to participate in the racehorse catastrophic breakdown program which consists of dissecting, identifying, describing, and documenting lesions from horses with musculoskeletal failure at the racetrack. 

Data Entry, Interpretation, Results: 

The Veterinary Pathologist will enter the results from necropsy and histopathology cases in the Laboratory Information System (LIMS). The pathologist will coordinate multiple assigned cases when a pathology discipline is one of the assignments. Coordination of cases may consist of communication with the various sections of the laboratory, necropsy staff, diagnosticians, referral laboratories, and clients to ensure that requested testing is accurately completed and in a timely manner. The pathologist is responsible for the accuracy and timeliness of the completed report before delivery to the client in accordance with the TVMDL established/published turnaround time.

Client Communication: 

The Veterinary Pathologist is responsible for responding in a timely fashion to client calls about cases. The pathologist or designee is responsible for obtaining or clarifying client information when carcasses or tissue samples are delivered to or dropped off at the laboratory for processing in the necropsy or histopathology sections. Other pathologists and diagnosticians are available to secure information if the pathologist on duty is otherwise preoccupied when samples are being delivered to the laboratory. 

Quality Assurance & Safety: 

The Veterinary Pathologist is responsible for training and adhering to the guidelines outlined in the most current Quality and Safety documents and procedures at TVMDL.

SOPs, Procedures, Forms, Other Documentation: 

The Veterinary Pathologist is responsible for ensuring they are up to date on training to the most current SOPs.

Training & Mentorship: 

The Veterinary Pathologist will mentor and train pathology residents and veterinary students as needed. Pathologists will mentor newly hired pathologists.

Teamwork & Cooperation: 

The Veterinary Pathologist is a part of a team of pathologists at TVMDL. As such, the pathologist is encouraged to be collegial and seek help as necessary for difficult cases. Conversely, the pathologist is encouraged to share information as necessary for difficult cases.

Other:

Work shall be performed with adherence to federal, state, Texas A&M University System, and TVMDL safety rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. Performs work to avoid exposing oneself or others to avoidable hazards by reasonable and approved methods. 

Position Details:

• This position is required to work onsite during normal business hours M-F 8 AM to 5 PM.

• This position is eligible for a partially remote work arrangement for up to 16 hours per week. 

• TVMDL is located on the campus of West Texas A&M University (WTAMU). Parking permits are available from TAMU at the expense of the employee. 

• Incumbent will be required to take a pre-exposure rabies vaccination series; TVMDL will cover all costs.

• TVMDL is considered an essential component of the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) and remains operational for several “open holidays” in which overtime or compensatory time may be earned. 

• This position may have access to equine or greyhound racing drug testing samples, records, and/or data and as such, the incumbent must have no financial interest in racehorses, racing greyhounds, or a racetrack, or any other conflict of interest within the racing industry. Furthermore, such employees shall have no investments in any racetrack nor receive any remuneration from a racetrack association, nor own or lease a racehorse or racing greyhound that is racing in the State of Texas. The incumbent may be required to consent to a background investigation through by the Texas Department of Public Safety including, but not limited to, fingerprinting of all TVMDL staff involved in drug testing for livestock and race animals.  

Required Education and Experience:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Texas veterinary license or eligibility to sit for the Texas special licensure examination.

• Two years of related experience in diagnostic pathology. 

• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications. 

• Knowledge of animal diseases. 

• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others. 

• Ability to present information clearly and effectively to ensure understanding. 

• Eligible to become a member of the American College of Veterinary Pathologist or the American College of Poultry Veterinarians.  

Preferred Education and Experience: 

• MS, Ph.D. in a related field or any equivalent combination of training and experience.

• Board certification from ACVP or ECVP.

• Texas veterinary license.  

• Experience in the use of LIMS, computer software for examination of digitally scanned images, interpretation of immunohistochemically stained slides, and microscope and basic computer programs. 

• Must be able to accurately describe lesions in gross specimens and microscopic slides or images with minimal supervision to arrive at a diagnosis. 

​How to Apply:

• A cover letter, resume/CV, and contact information for three professional references (to include at least one previous supervisor) are required to successfully apply for this position. You may upload all three on the application under CV/resume, pre-populate the online application using a LinkedIn profile, or attach the documents. 

• Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.