Veterinary Technician

Job Summary

We are looking for a Veterinary Technician (Levels I, II) to join our Insourcing Solutions team located in Poolesville, MD. (See qualifications for each level)

In the Veterinary Technician (Levels I, II) role, you will assist with all activities required for supporting and maintaining the site animal colonies and Animal Study Protocols in support of the research program. Care for and maintain lab animals in accordance with all guidelines, policies, and regulations to ensure their health and welfare.  

Additional responsibilities include:

• Reviews, comprehends, and participates in the development of all SOP’s and quality assurance standards pertaining to specific area.  Cares for and maintains laboratory animals in accordance with Animal Welfare Act and the “Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, as well as, NIH policies and Guidelines and other pertinent regulations and policies.
• Communicate with animal care staff, co-workers, veterinary staff, supervisors, PI, and collaborators.
• Provides veterinary technical and surgical support for NHPs (e.g. animal handling and restraint, collect blood and other tissues samples, perform injections, treatments, surgical preparation, pre-, peri-, and post-operative observations, anesthesia, intubations, placement of indwelling catheters, femoral, and necropsy).
• Provides research support to investigators via Technical Request forms.
• Operates and maintains a variety of medical equipment (e.g. blood gas analyzer, CBC machine, x-ray, anesthetic machines, EKG monitors, blood pressure recorders, IV pumps, surgical and dentistry instruments, irradiator and sterilizers). 
• Arranges, cleans and maintains procedure, treatment, and necropsy/procedure rooms.
• Quality Control of treatment and procedure rooms including cleaning, supplies, and monitoring expirations dates.

Responsibilities continued:

• Calculate drug dosages and administration frequencies.
• Provides research support to investigators via Technical Request forms.
• Accurately maintain electronic medical records and update treatment plans.
• Monitors the environment and provides animal health surveillance as directed by facility veterinarian.
• Assists in the maintenance and detailed documentation of accurate surgical, anesthetic and treatment procedures in the animal medical records and files.  Assists in keeping medical records and files current through timely placement of information and supporting documents.
• Quality Control of treatment and procedure rooms including cleaning, supplies, and monitoring expirations dates.
• Provides limited support to the nonhuman primate environmental enrichment and psychological well-being plan, as needed in the absence of Behavioral staff.
• Maintains and operates equipment and uses supplies according to SOPs and safety guidelines; performs general housekeeping and adheres to safety procedures. Complies with safety policies and procedures and MSDS guidelines, including those related to biohazards and radioactive substances.
• Actively interacts with customers as required to solve customer requests, inquiries, and complaints and to provide technical assistance.
• Maintains required attendance levels and adherence to work schedule in accordance with required staffing levels in order to ensure that assigned duties are completed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications

Candidate must possess the following combination of education and experience/certification: 

Level I:

Education:  HS diploma or GED required, AA degree in Veterinary Technology or BS degree in Animal Science, Biology, or similar discipline preferred.

Experience/Certification:  Two – three (2-3) years’ experience working with animals (in biomedical research preferred) AND be eligible to take the AALAS Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) certification.

Level II:

Education:  HS diploma or GED required; AA degree in Veterinary Technology or BS degree in Animal Science, Biology, or similar discipline perfered.

Experience/Certification:  Three- Five (3-5) years’ experience working with animals (in biomedical research preferred), of which 1 year must be with NHPs AND be eligible to take the AALAS Laboratory Animal Technician (LATG) certification. 

The pay range for this position is $28.00 to $33.00 USD per hour.  Please note the range covers levels I – II, salary will depend on level, in addition to factors such as experience, skills, and certification.