Veterinary Technologist

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Job Description

Description

The Veterinary Technologist provides health surveillance and compliance monitoring to laboratory animals. Responsibilities also include providing support services to research staff, participating in animal monitoring duties, and conducting various technical trainings to researchers, veterinary, and animal care staff. The Veterinary Technologist works in a team environment following Lean Management principles and participates in continuous improvement projects. This position involves daily exposure to laboratory animals, their waste products, and possibly chemical agents, radioactive isotopes and ABSL2 hazards.

Alternate workshift, or after hours, rotating weekend and holiday work may be required.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Following Duties are performed daily with minimal supervision:

Animal Health Assessment

• Evaluate health of rodent and non-rodent species (as needed) in response to concerns of husbandry or research staff, including animals in ABSL-2 facilities.
• Review and amend, as needed, treatment for animals with documented health concerns.
• Communicate concerns, updates and follow-up regarding health cases with CCM veterinary and husbandry staff, as well as research staff.
• Catalog and use controlled substances to provide services or treatments.
• Perform routine euthanasia on laboratory animals according to the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) Panel on Euthanasia
• Document health conditions and observations as required by local, state and federal regulatory agencies.

Research Protocol Familiarity

• Be familiar with active protocols and involved in discussions with groups during protocol planning processes.
• Create guides for groups with approved expected outcomes that differ from CCM standards.
• Follow-up on potential research group non-compliances and report to Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Attending Veterinarian (AV), as needed.

Research Support Services

• Provide anesthesia services, training and machine maintenance for rodents and, as needed, non-rodent species.
• Participate in small and large animal projects for which CCM services have been requested (ex. gavage services, blood draws, intravascular injections, etc.)
• Provide hands on training in handling and specialized techniques for rodents and, as needed, non-rodent species.

Colony Health Monitoring

• Participate in CCM rodent health monitoring via coordination of environmental sampling and submission of samples to commercial laboratories.
• Perform gross necropsies under the supervision of the clinical vet on unexpected mortality events
• During confirmed outbreaks, assist in animal testing and treatment.

Lean Management Practices

• Work within a team environment.
• Create initiatives to continuously improve operations through individual and team projects.
• Attend meetings and training sessions on all aspects of laboratory animal care and uses of animals in biomedical research as scheduled.

Additional Duties:

• Ordering and receiving facility supplies, monitoring material replenishment systems.
• Assist in the creation, validation and maintenance of visual controls and SOPs.
• Comply with CCM and BWH policies and SOPs.
• Work holiday and weekends as assigned, and after hours, as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Associate Degree or higher in veterinary technology, Animal Science, or a related field is preferred.
• ALAT or higher certification required or obtained within 12 months.
• CVT preferred
• Experience with animals, preferably in a research or clinical veterinary setting.

SKILLS / ABILITIES / COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

• Ability to function in a team-oriented environment, with individuals from diverse backgrounds who have varying degrees of scientific and veterinary knowledge or skills.
• Proficient in verbal and written English and Mathematics pertinent to the duties of this position and situations encountered in the animal facility.
• Ability to lift and move 50 lbs on a regular basis
• Long periods of standing

• Has a customer-focused attitude and enjoys working with similarly dedicated persons in a team fashion within a high-energy research environment.
• Basic computer skills including email and Microsoft Outlook.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The animal facility has a variety of environmental conditions. Specifically, employees may be exposed to noise, dust, chemicals, extreme heat, and animal waste products. The duration of exposure to any of the above is dependent on the assigned duties. Some aspects of this position may expose the incumbent to potentially fatal zoonotic diseases.
• Appropriate protective clothing and equipment may be required and will be provided, accompanied by appropriate training and medical clearance.
• Movement between facilities on campus within the same day may be required.
• This position may also expose the employee to animals treated with chemical hazards, radioactive dyes and other induced conditions as part of approved protocols. Employees are expected to conduct all work in a safe manner that includes maintaining knowledge of animal handling techniques consistent with the condition of the animal, protocol, regulations and department policy, including radioactive treatments and bodily fluids.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

No Direct Reports

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

Responsible for economical use of resources and time.

BWH is an Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

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