Reference Laboratories
at IDEXX
See current openings
We are here to stay. For more than 40 years, IDEXX has been enhancing the health and well-being of pets, people, and livestock. The diagnostic tests we build help keep animals healthy and our water safe to drink. We have over 80 reference labs that support more than 50,000 veterinary practices worldwide.

We invest in you! We believe that a diversity of people and perspectives is what makes IDEXX a successful company. Our global teams value collaboration, innovation and initiative. We work hard to make IDEXX an attractive place to work with many benefits, a common purpose, and an inclusive environment where you can grow and develop your career.
Discover some of our global reference laboratory locations:
North America We have 55 reference labs all across the US, and 6 in Canada, including some larger facilities in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Tennessee,  and Ontario.
Europe Including two large laboratories in Germany - in both Kornwestheim and Leipzig - and a reference lab in Wetherby in the UK, there are IDEXX reference lab locations throughout Europe. 
Australia & New Zealand There are IDEXX reference laboratories in Hamilton, New Zealand and New South Wales, Australia.
Asia IDEXX has reference laboratories in Tokyo, Japan and Seoul, South Korea, plus a livestock, poultry, & dairy (LPD) laboratory in Beijing, China.
Africa There is an IDEXX reference laboratory in Midrand, South Africa that services Johannesburg and nearby areas.
Exterior of IDEXX laboratory location
Why work in an IDEXX Reference Laboratory?
Our laboratories play a critical role in delivering insightful information to our veterinary practice customers. It is the people in the lab and their commitment to excellence that allows us to be successful. 

 Whether a technician processing a sample, a trainer helping to find ways to improve processes, or a supervisor empowering their team to achieve their goals, our team members are helping to give animals a voice. Thanks to the work they do everyday, someone's beloved pet can get the treatment plan they need - how great is that?
Which role is right for you?

Our Reference Laboratories are fast-paced, high-volume work environments.
Whether you have never worked in a lab before, or you have a science or veterinary background, there could be a career for you in an IDEXX Reference Lab.
Are you looking to launch a science-related career?

Did you love science classes in school? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work in a laboratory? And, most importantly, would you love a job that allowed you to work on behalf of pets all over the world? 

As a Laboratory Technician, you will help with many of the critical responsibilities that keep our lab running. You might double-check paperwork, unbag and inspect the samples as they enter the building, move them from one department to another, restock supplies, load specimens into analyzers, or prepare samples for testing. These tasks ensure that we get the correct results sent back to the vet on time.

And, we have all the in-house training you need to build your skills and knowledge, and develop your career.


Explore relevant openings here.
Are you a veterinary technician?
As a vet tech, you might love a role as a Laboratory Technician at IDEXX. You'll have the chance to use your skills and continue making a difference in the lives of people's pets. 

Our Laboratory Technicians specialize in one or more of the following areas: Hematology / Cytology / Urinalysis / Chemistry / Endocrinology / Parasitology / Immunology / Serology / Microbiology / PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) / Histology / Diagnostic Evaluation. Depending on your assignment, you will be performing various area-specific laboratory analyses and tests. You'll help prepare samples, set up instruments, run tests, and read, interpret, and release results.

Explore relevant openings here.
Are you a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) or Medical Technologist (MT)?
You can use all of your clinical diagnostic lab skills and knowledge in a whole new way - and on behalf of pets. 

In our Veterinary Reference Labs, we use all the same analyzers you use in a human clinical lab - but the samples come from dogs, cats, horses, birds - really, the whole animal kingdom. Your Quality skills and knowledge, microscope and analytical skills all apply to the work we do every day. We offer many opportunities for you to expand your career, in training, quality work, technical operations, leadership and more. IDEXX is an ideal place for you to take the next step in your laboratory career.

Explore relevant openings here.
Are you an experienced people leader?
Our Supervisors and Managers are people leaders at one of the largest veterinary diagnostic companies in the world.  In these leadership roles, you supervise the Medical Technicians, Lab Assistants, and Technologists who perform testing to help veterinarians around the world diagnose and treat pets, supporting the overall operations of the laboratory. You help train, develop, and manage those team members in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

While a background in clinical laboratory science is helpful, we know individuals who are successful in these roles have a passion for developing, managing, and motivating team members, regardless of what industries they've worked in previously.

Explore relevant openings here.

Training & Shift Information

Training and support
Some of our laboratory jobs are best-suited to people with previous experience working in labs or science-based degrees. Others are a perfect opportunity to get your foot in the door or make a career change. We do everything we can to make sure that whatever your experience before joining IDEXX, you get on-the-job training so you can work in one of our labs safely, effectively, and confidently.
Shifts
When you apply for a lab job with us, you'll see a variety of shift hours: 1st shift (daytime), 2nd shift (afternoon or evenings), and 3rd shift (overnights). This is to ensure that veterinarians and the pets they're helping can get support from our teams all day long. We pay shift differentials and provide support for those working 2nd and 3rd shift. Our recruiters are happy to tell you more during the application and interview process.

Laboratory Departments

Chemistry
The Chemistry department performs tests to analyze blood, serum, plasma, urine and other bodily fluids, measuring biochemical substances that show organ function and metabolic balance.

These team members use automated analyzers to process high volumes of samples quickly and accurately.
Cytology
The Cytology department studies cells that help veterinarians understand what is happening inside a pet’s tissues or organs. By looking at these cells under a microscope, our techs can detect inflammation, infection, or abnormal (and sometimes cancerous) cells. 

Cytology samples are regularly analyzed in our labs: carefully prepared by our trained Medical Laboratory Technicians on glass slides, stained with special dyes, and examined by highly trained Veterinary Pathologists.
Hematology
A pet’s blood can reveal important clues about their overall health. Through veterinary hematology (the study of blood), we can detect illnesses early, monitor treatment progress, and help pets get (and stay) healthy.

Our Hematology department performs advanced blood testing with exceptional precision, analyzing blood under a microscope, measuring key indicators of wellness using state-of-the-art analyzers, and assessing how quickly blood clots.
Histology
Our Histology department prepares tissue samples for microscopic examination, dissecting, processing, embedding, sectioning, and staining the samples so they can be properly assessed.

Those samples can then be studied to help diagnose diseases in pets.
Immunology / Serology
Laboratory techs in our Immunology / Serology departments help veterinarians understand how a pet’s immune system responds to infections, diseases, and vaccinations. They focus on detecting antibodies and antigens in the blood.
 
These teams perform various tests including those to identify Heartworm and Lyme Disease, Ehrlichia, FeLV, FIV, and Parvovirus and are also able to confirm if a pet’s vaccinations have worked by testing antibody levels.
Microbiology
Our Microbiology department works hard each day to identify bacteria or fungi that cause infections in pets. Using special culture plates, stains and microscopes, these team members grow and study microorganisms from samples such as urine, ears, or wound, helping veterinarians figure out which antibiotics or antifungal medications will work best.

These teams perform tests for culture and sensitivity, fungal cultures, gram stains, and cytology.
Parasitology
Parasitology is the study of parasites, including parasitic larvae and eggs. This department uses specialized tools to detect and identify parasites in veterinary samples that are sent to our labs.

These team members use high-powered microscopes to identify parasites that are not visible to the naked eye. Fecal floatation, sedimentation devices, staining equipment and slides are all a part of the testing process to ensure an accurate and timely result.
Urinalysis
Our Urinalysis department helps veterinarians learn details of a pet’s health from just a small sample of urine. They use analyzers to calculate the appearance, concentration, and chemistry of each individual urine sample.

Urinalysis team members can give key insights into how well the kidneys and urinary system are working, helping to detect kidney disease, urinary tract infections, diabetes, liver problems or even signs of dehydration.
Sample Management
The Sample Management Department (also referred to as a Specimen Processing, Specimen Accessioning or Patient Sample Management) is the first stop for the veterinary samples we receive. It's where the samples enter the building, and where we make sure we have all the correct information for each sample - who the pet is, who the vet is, and what testing we'll be performing.

In this department you'll helping to sort, tag, and prepare blood, urine, feces, and biopsies for laboratory analysis and testing. You can expect to remove specimens from transport bags and enter specimen data into a computer tracking system. You will rack and bundle prepared samples for delivery to each testing department. You will play a critical role as part of a successful team that is proud of the work they do and motivated by the common purpose in helping veterinarians quickly diagnose illness and disease in pets and animals.

Hear what our team members are saying

img1
Mallory
Histology Supervisor
About development opportunities in the labs
img1
Taylor
Medical Laboratory Technician
About what advice he has to offer
img1
Justin
Parasitology Medical Laboratory Technician
About why he chose IDEXX
img1
Lisa
Medical Laboratory Technician
About development opportunities in Histology
A couple of things keep me at IDEXX. Firstly, my values align with IDEXX's culture. I'm passionate about enhancing the well-being of animals. IDEXX feels like a community and my second home. I can bring my family to fun events onsite, participate in fitness classes...The leadership within my team is extraordinary. They changed the trajectory of my life.
Brooke
Lab Specialist - Clinical Research
I joined IDEXX because what I do daily has an impact of the health of animals.
Elena
Medical Laboratory Technician
I enjoy seeing individuals that I have trained throughout the years moving into other departments to expand their knowledge. Growth is scary for some but seeing growth within the individuals is awesome!
Alice
Manager of Medical Editing, Pathology Operations

FAQs

We have an active employee community.

Whether connecting through our communities or at events, IDEXXers are encouraged to bring their whole self to work.
Join the IDEXX Talent Community
Join our Talent Community to stay connected to relevant job opportunities at IDEXX, learn more about how we are innovating in our industries, and what we’re doing to support the communities where we live and work.
Join our Talent Community