HC Mgr 1-Histotechnology

The Section Manager of the Histology Laboratory, including the Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) laboratories, reports to the Faculty Section Head and provides leadership, technical expertise, and operational oversight for the Histology section and its associated laboratory services within the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL).

This position ensures the delivery of high-quality diagnostic services that support the VDL's mission of advancing animal health through timely, accurate diagnostic testing, disease surveillance, and collaboration in research and education.

Success in this role requires strong leadership and supervisory skills, advanced knowledge of histology and immunohistochemistry, expertise in laboratory quality systems and regulatory compliance, sound problem-solving and decision-making abilities, and effective communication and collaboration with pathologists, researchers, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders.

Job Responsibilities

35%- Section Manager of Histology (Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) services)

• Collaborates with the Faculty Section Head, Director, and Finance to develop, monitor, and manage the operating budgets for the Histology Lab; forecasts supply, equipment, maintenance, and staffing needs; monitors expenditures; provides budget justifications; and identifies opportunities for cost-effective resource utilization while maintaining high-quality laboratory operations.
• Develops and implements strategic plans for the Histology Lab to improve operational efficiency, expand diagnostic services, support research initiatives, evaluate emerging technologies, and meet the evolving needs of clients and the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
• Monitors laboratory workload, turnaround times, productivity metrics, and staffing requirements to optimize laboratory operations and ensure timely diagnostic services.
• Provides laboratory diagnostic services by developing, implementing, overseeing, and, as needed, performing specimen preparation and testing procedures; evaluates laboratory results to ensure diagnostic accuracy, quality, and compliance with established standards.
• Serves as a liaison between unit laboratories, pathologists, and other laboratories; consults with pathologists and research investigators.
• Coordinates equipment maintenance, including replacement, service, repair, calibration, preventative maintenance, and documentation in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and laboratory quality requirements.
• Participates in proficiency testing with external organizations and government agencies, including preparation of materials for national proficiency testing and inter-laboratory comparison programs.
• Oversees quality control and quality assurance programs; develops and maintains SOPs, documentation, forms, and records; reviews and approves revisions to policies and procedures; generates reports; ensures compliance with AAVLD Quality System Essential Requirements, and other applicable accreditation standards; investigates nonconforming work and implements corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Manages laboratory inventory by monitoring stock levels, forecasting needs, ordering supplies, and verifying receipt; maintains detailed records of hazardous chemicals and reagents and ensures availability of safety information; monitors supply expenditures and purchasing trends to support budget planning and fiscal accountability.
• Prepares and oversees preparation of laboratory reagents, buffers, stains, and other solutions required for diagnostic testing, ensuring accurate labeling, documentation, and quality.
• Participates in collaborative diagnostic and research projects within the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and with internal and external investigators.
• Maintains professional and technical expertise through conferences, workshops, webinars, and review of professional publications.
• Represents the Histology Lab in management meetings, instructional settings, and tours.

20%- Supervision

• Conducts staff competency evaluations to ensure ongoing proficiency and compliance.
• Organizes and oversees daily operations and workload distribution across the Histology Lab; directs, assigns, and delegates staff duties and projects.
• Develops and maintains position descriptions, role documentation, and staff schedules.
• Reviews and approves employee leave requests.
• Manages staffing needs by justifying positions, recruiting, hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, disciplining, and, when necessary, terminating employees.
• Solicits staff feedback to improve workflow, refines standard operating procedures, assigns special projects, and communicates strategic goals.
• Provides operational backup during staff absences by performing complex laboratory procedures including tissue processing, embedding, microtomy, routine and special staining, immunohistochemistry, coverslipping, quality control review, reagent preparation, troubleshooting laboratory procedures and instrumentation, laboratory maintenance, and reporting results to pathologists and clients.
• Provides direct supervision by planning, monitoring, and evaluating performance; conducts regular reviews to assess competency, job satisfaction, and development needs; delivers leadership, mentorship, training, and guidance.

20%- Quality Assurance/Quality Control and Safety Training

• Monitors quality indicators, reviews control slides and test performance, identifies trends, documents quality events, and leads continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Maintains laboratory equipment performance by establishing quality standards and developing operational, quality control, and troubleshooting procedures.
• Ensures staff compliance with required equipment training and competency standards.
• Verifies instrument performance through timely calibration, maintenance, and certification processes.
• Supports and participates in the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory's quality assurance program to ensure accurate and reliable results.

12.5%- Procedure Improvement, Troubleshooting, and New Test Development

• Evaluates and optimizes staining protocols, control materials, and laboratory workflows to improve efficiency, reproducibility, and diagnostic quality.
• Identifies and evaluates new testing methodologies; develops and implements new techniques and approaches to enhance diagnostic capabilities and expand the laboratories' test offerings.
• Troubleshoots complex testing issues or oversees staff in troubleshooting when results deviate from expectations; trains staff to recognize problems, assess root causes, and apply effective corrective actions.
• Validates and documents new antibody tests prior to implementation; develops and maintains corresponding SOPs, forms, and supporting documentation.

7.5%- Sample Receiving, Processing, Handling, Evaluation, and Result Entry

• Receives and logs incoming samples; prepares daily log sheets to track diagnostic testing.
• Processes, embeds, sections, stains, and prepares tissue specimens for histologic and immunohistochemical evaluation or oversees staff performing these functions.
• Selects appropriate control slides for each case to ensure quality control and test validity.
• Determines and prepares required reagents, including calculating dilutions; labels and documents all solutions; enters case and test data into instrument systems; generates and maintains reagent maps and related records.
• Evaluates IHC test results for accuracy, specificity, and staining intensity; records findings on log sheets and identifies nonconforming results, initiating corrective actions as needed.

5%- Miscellaneous Duties

• Carry out miscellaneous duties assigned by the Faculty Section Head/ Director's office.

Location and Work Environment

• This position is located within the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) in St. Paul, Minnesota, and is designated as in-person.
• Regular on-site presence is required to provide leadership, supervise laboratory personnel, oversee daily operations, and support diagnostic testing activities.
• The position is performed in laboratory settings within a fast-paced veterinary diagnostic environment.
• Duties require close collaboration with faculty, pathologists, veterinarians, researchers, laboratory staff, producers, and other stakeholders.
• The role includes potential exposure to biological materials, infectious agents, chemicals, and laboratory equipment and requires adherence to established biosafety, safety, and regulatory protocols.
• Occasional extended hours or schedule adjustments may be necessary to support operational needs, staffing, or emergency response activities.

Work Schedule

• This position requires a flexible work schedule to support the continuous operations of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
• Regular work hours are typically Monday through Friday; however, weekend, holiday, and occasional overtime work are required.

Essential Employee Designation

• Essential Employee

Visa Sponsorship Language

• This position is NOT eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship

Required Qualifications

• BS degree plus at least six years of experience
  • OR an advanced degree plus at least four years of experience
  • OR a terminal degree plus at least one year of experience
• Strong working knowledge of histological techniques, tissue processing, microtomy, staining (H&E and special stains), and IHC assay development and interpretation.
• Familiarity with laboratory quality management systems, such as QA/QC principles, proficiency testing, and accreditation standards (e.g., AAVLD)
• Knowledge of laboratory safety, biosafety, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• May require professional health care certification, registration, or state licensure

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Histology, Pathology, Microbiology, Biological Sciences, or a closely related field.
• Experience in a high throughput veterinary diagnostic or clinical laboratory performing histology and immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing.

University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL)

The University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) is a national leader in providing rapid diagnosis of animal diseases, identifying emerging diseases, developing new diagnostic methods, and training diagnosticians and veterinarians. The VDL serves the interests of the livestock and poultry industry, animal research scientists and educators, and companion animal owners. We provide strong support to the state as the official laboratory of the Minnesota Board of Animal Health as well as supporting the national animal and human health system. The laboratory is a part of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and serves as Minnesota's only full-service laboratory for animal health diagnosis.

URL: https://vdl.umn.edu/

Pay Range: $78,139 - $85,000 annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.