Life Sciences Animal Technician II
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Job Location:
Palo Alto, CA - USA
Monthly Salary:
USD 26 - 27
Posted on:
Yesterday
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research (PAVIR) supports the nations second largest research program conducted among the VA Hospitals and is looking for a full-time Life Sciences Animal Technician. The Life Sciences Animal Technician will work in the Research Service Veterinary Medical Unit (VMU) under the direction of the facility supervisor and the Veterinary Medical Officer. The primary purpose of this position is to provide assistance with routine day-to-day cleaning and maintenance of the facility and to practicing standardized animal husbandry procedures.
Schedule: Monday Friday 6:30 am 3 pm weekend and holiday work will be required.
BENEFITS
PAVIR offers generous benefits including comprehensive health insurance vision dental 14 paid holidays paid vacation time sick pay a 401(k) with a fully vested 6% company match and 3% profit share a wellness program commuter benefits and professional development training. Plus we pay for life short-term disability and long-term disability insurance. Full time hours are 40 hours a week.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
- Properly maintain and use equipment required to work in the cage wash area such as but not limited to the rack and tunnel washer steam sterilizer and bedding dump station.
- Maintain cleanliness of cage wash area and assigned procedure rooms.
- Assess and improve sanitation practices based on current health status.
- Process/clean equipment used by animals (including but not limited to racks cages water bottles wire bar lids and filter tops) through cage wash.
- Assist with synchronization of delivery of supplies to housing rooms and cage wash areas facility maintenance/Engineering pest control and EMS pick up.
- Provide VMU management with a current caging and equipment inventory in a timely manner to assure that caging needs are consistently met and equipment shortages do not occur.
- Provide standard and specialized care for a diverse group of species including several species of transgenic mice and rats hamsters rabbits pigs amphibians and sheep;
- Remove dead animals on a daily basis and report to veterinary staff;
- Check the condition of all cages on a daily basis and change cages as frequently as needed to assure an appropriate micro-environment for the animals;
- Maintain cleanliness of all equipment used by animals such as cages water bottles wire bar lids and filter tops;
- Maintain cleanliness of animal rooms as well as support areas as assigned;
- Assess and improve sanitation practices based on current health status;
- Observe the general health status of all animals and identify signs of illness and disease;
- Assess rodent health and apply treatment and preventative measures;
- Communicate with veterinarian and PI staff on rodent health management;
- Assure successful operation of ventilated racks and hoods;
- Assure accuracy of light cycles and temperature ranges in the animal room;
- Inform VMU supervisor of any needed repairs in a timely fashion;
- Document the occurrence of any clinical problems that are observed in the animals;
- Communicate effectively with veterinary staff regarding these occurrences and provide follow up to the veterinary staff as well as the investigators;
- Perform rodent procedures such as blood draws injections and anesthesia;
- Monitor breeding and identification of all rodents in the colony and assure that required documentation is maintained to assure that all animals are properly identified;
- Develop and share solutions for operational challenges with VMU management;
- Support investigators as needed including providing trainings maintaining specialized equipment or providing direct care and treatments for on-study animals
- Receive incoming animals check shipping documents and house them as described in the standard operating procedures;
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Required: HS diploma or equivalent experience;
- 2 years experience providing care to research animals including rodents and rabbits in a research setting in collaboration with fellow caretakers investigators and veterinary staff. Animal caretaker may be continuing to refine these skills.
- Ability to work some weekend and holiday coverage required.
- Desired: Ability to make judgment calls on rodent housing traffic based on health status;
- Knowledge of Atune animal tracking database;
- Ability to understand and follow instructions;
- Ability to prioritize and organize daily workload and adapt to changing priorities;
- Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as a cooperative team member;
- Effective communication skills.
ABOUT PALO ALTO VETERANS INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH (PAVIR)
PAVIR facilitates research and education activities conducted at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. At PAVIR we work with more than 160 uniquely talented medical scientists. We recruit and retain talented employees who believe in making a difference in the lives of others through innovative health research.
READY TO JOIN OUR RESEARCH TEAM
If you feel that you would be right for this job please fill out our initial 3-minute mobile-friendly application. We look forward to meeting you!
PAVIR is a nonprofit foundation affiliated with the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS). As a condition of employment all PAVIR employees are required to have an approved appointment with VAPAHCS and complete a background check before they can commence work.
PAVIR is pleased to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities Women Veterans and Individuals with a Disability are encouraged to apply. We welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace regardless of race color religion age gender sexual orientation national origin disability status protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need special assistance or an accommodation to apply for a posted position please contact - Human Resources department.
Required Experience:
IC
Key Skills
- Environment
- Anatomy
- Fisheries
- Morphology
- Behavioural Sciences
- Biophysics
- Evolution
- Forestry
- Ecology
- Biotechnology
- Agriculture
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Ecosyatem
- Entomology
About Company
PAVIR is the second largest of VA-affiliated not for profits. Located on the premises of the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, PAVIR is a mid-size nonprofit foundation, closely connected with the VA and Stanford University. The VA Palo Alto produces some of the highest quality research ... View more
