Veterinary Technician II - Division of Animal Resources

Location: North Grafton

Overview

The Division of Animal Resources (DAR) supports and facilitates research and teaching with animals at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. To do this, DAR develops and implements a high-quality program of animal care and use to enable the teaching and research activities of the school. This program is characterized by a high level of client service, strong veterinary expertise, effective technical service delivery, quality animal housing and care for many species, compliance with federal and state regulations and maintenance of AAALAC accreditation.

What You'll Do

Perform animal health rounds and administer treatments as prescribed to a variety of laboratory animal species ranging from rodents to large animals. Provide rodent breeding colony and genotyping services for investigative staff. Oversee and perform routine sentinel testing in facility. Assist with maintenance of surgical suites, equipment and supplies including pharmacy inventory of consumables and pharmaceuticals. Provide surgical/anesthesia and postoperative care.

Support animal teaching laboratories for DVM and graduate students. Provide training sessions for investigative staff (PIs, research technicians, post-doctoral fellows, Ph.D. students and visiting scientists). Oversight of teaching animal colonies, enrichment and adoption programs. Perform and submit diagnostic testing as requested by veterinary staff or investigative staff. Complete other duties as assigned by manager or veterinary staff. Demonstrates strong leadership skills, resourcefulness and self-accountability.

* Under general supervision, the Veterinary Technician II performs complex and diverse preclinical research duties such as:

* Experience working in research with animals, including IACUC protocols and compliance

* Skilled handling and restraint of various laboratory animal species

* Proficient dosing and blood collection by multiple routes in various species

* Proficiency in drug calculations and fluid administration

* Performing routine health observations and treatments under veterinary staff supervision; including health rounds in the ABSL-1, ABSL-2 & ABSL-3 / Select Agent facilities

* Provide or assist with surgical and anesthesia support including endotracheal intubation, intravenous catheterization, intraoperative monitoring, fluid therapy and postoperative care and analgesia

* Proper documentation of health records, study records, and anesthesia records

* Intravenous catherization in various species

* Participation in rodent colony health monitoring program (sentinel program)

* Providing routine and preventative care to teaching colony animals

* Perform and submission of diagnostic testing

* Development and implementation of enrichment program for research and teaching animals

* In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.

* Provide technical services and training of investigators and research staff, including but not limited to:

* Dosing and sample collection from multiple species

* Clinical observations and documentation

* Provide training for basic techniques such as handling and restraint

* Rodent breeding colony and genotyping services

* Diagnostic and necropsy services

* Provide technical training to students participating in teaching labs within the DVM and graduates programs:

* Demonstration of proper handling and restraint of various research species

* Demonstration of proper routes of administration or blood collection techniques

* Assistance with set up of teaching labs and procurement of teaching models/animals

* Assist when needed with animal care and husbandry procedures for a wide variety of species:

* Cleaning animal cages or housing pens/stalls

* Feeding/watering animals

* Routine health observations and treatments for research and teaching animals in other DAR service units:

All employees are cross trained to take care of various animal species that belong to DAR, so that they are able to fill in for their colleagues when needed.

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements:

Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

* High School Diploma or equivalent

* Minimum of 2 years experience in clinical veterinary practice…