Veterinary Technician I

Job Summary

The Veterinary Technician I will assist veterinary staff in the documentation and triage of all laboratory animal health cases in a colony of nonhuman primates. 

Work schedule:  Sunday - Thursday; 6:30AM - 3:00PM

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Assist veterinary staff in the documentation and triage of all animal health cases noted by technical and or senior veterinary staff
• Perform routine veterinary technical and husbandry skills including the following:
  • Administration of various therapeutic measures by IV, IM, SQ, topical, oral routes, etc.
  • Bandage/wrapping techniques
  • Routine parasitological testing
  • Venipuncture techniques
  • TB testing including reading and recording results
  • Dental scaling
  • Proficient animal restraint techniques
  • Monitor critical care animals (i.e., place IVs, monitor fluids, etc.)
• Perform animal follow-up observations or new findings as required
• Monitor animal health, visually, and by following detailed schedules
• Generate animal treatment records and perform, track and schedule follow-ups
• Maintain appropriate medical records for each animal in accordance with -regulatory requirements.  Assist in maintaining accurate record keeping procedures for the veterinary department
• Maintain and follow complex procedures to ensure appropriate animal health and treatment
• Assist in providing leadership, animal health training, and guidance to other laboratory personnel
• Assist in keeping inventory and stocking the vet rooms (i.e., drugs and supplies). Assist in organizing and maintaining the vet exam rooms
• May be responsible for tissue sampling, performing routine necropsies, routine animal manipulations and administration of fluids or other treatments as required
• May perform routine technical and husbandry functions (general housekeeping) on studies and must adhere to safety procedures
• Perform all other related duties as assigned

Job Qualifications

• Education:  Graduate of a collegiate veterinary technology program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Training Activities, or equivalent program in veterinary technology preferred.  Candidates with a four year degree in a relevant life science (e.g. Animal Science, Biology or Veterinary Technology) may be considered.
• Experience:  Experience working with animals in a laboratory or clinical setting preferred. 

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above. 

• Certification/Licensure: CVT/RVT certification preferred. Alternately a combination of an undergraduate degree in a related field and 1 year experience in a laboratory or clinical setting acceptable.
• Other:  Demonstrate understanding of Standard Operating Procedures. Excellent organizational, time management and recordkeeping skills. Basic word processing skills required. Excellent communication skills both written and verbal. Must be proficient in routine veterinary technical and husbandry techniques. . 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must regularly move equipment and materials weighing up to 10 pounds and occasionally move equipment and materials weighing up to 50 pounds. .
• Must be able to perform procedures, which require, talking, hearing, standing or sitting for long periods of time, entering data into a computer, using appropriate instruments, reaching with hands and arms, working in narrow spaces, and wearing safety equipment (PPE) according to OSHA regulations and company standards.
• Must be able to frequently firmly hold species while performing procedures.  
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Works in a research environment, which requires use of sharp objects, working around mechanical parts, working with or near known or unknown toxic or caustic chemicals and/or biological hazards, exposure to fumes and airborne particles, working at noise levels ranging from moderate to loud.
• The employee regularly works with live animals with risk of exposure to allergens, zoonotic disease, and biohazards.  
• Regularly works with or near test articles with unknown levels of toxicity.
• The noise level in the work environment ranges from low to high depending upon the species housed.

COMMENTS:

• This position may require weekend, holiday, and/or on call shifts

The pay range for this position is $21-$23/hour. Please note that compensation varies based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, and certifications.