Vet ResearchHealth Tech 1

The Oregon National Primate Center (ONPRC) is located 12 miles west of the OHSU main campus and sits on 162 acres of land featuring forested areas research and administration buildings indoor and outdoor animal housing and 2-mile perimeter walking path. Our mission is to improve human health and the quality of life through the support of nonhuman primate research programs that advance our knowledge of the causes preventions treatments and cures of debilitating diseases.

The Small Laboratory Animal Veterinary Research/Health Technician 1 in a professional manner provides research support health care and husbandry for laboratory animals maintained at the Oregon National Primate Research Center.

While demonstrating strong leadership creativity high energy and a knowledge base in DCM functions assure that health husbandry and housing requirements for a wide variety of laboratory research animals meets Federal State and departmental requirements by coordinating work assignments to meet investigator and clinical veterinarian needs overseeing timely and effective completion of tasks assigned and providing instruction and training to Veterinary Research/Health Technicians Laboratory Animal Technicians and a wide variety of research staff in a professional manner and with a service-oriented attitude. The area of work assignment and specific tasks will vary depending on animal population and care requirements service requirements and staffing needs.

The Vet Research/Health Technician 1 assists in providing research support clinical health care and husbandry for a variety of laboratory animals. This is the first level of a three level series. It is distinguished from the higher levels by increased concentration on routine care and reduced responsibility for providing intermediate to complex animal care and procedures under specialized projects which require increased attention to research criteria. It is distinguished from the Lab Animal Technician series by the emphasis on research support and health care of animals.

Animal Health Care Services

• Recognize report and record abnormalities in animals health and physical condition or behavioral irregularities. Report physical or behavioral abnormalities promptly following DCM operational procedures. Implement medical orders within their competencies as authorized by veterinary or research staff.
• Handle and care for animal in specialized colonies including animals that have been experimentally exposed to chemicals pathogens or radioactive materials.
• Monitor the environment in animal areas; inspect caging equipment floors walls etc. for needed repairs and safety hazards or potential hazards to research animals and/or experimental protocols.
• Administer medications and treatments under the supervision of the veterinary staff; perform animal health management procedures including animal treatment and diagnostic procedures such as obtaining diagnostic samples.

Animal Husbandry

• Perform animal husbandry including transferring animals from soiled to dirty cages provide fresh water and food; capture restrain and transport animals in support of investigative or veterinary procedures; restrain identify and perform sexing of all common varieties of laboratory animals.
• Assist in the maintenance of laboratory animal breeding colonies consisting of identification of newly born animals assessment of health status and weaning procedures and performing permanent identification procedures.
• Perform routine sanitization tasks related to animal primary housing equipment and facilities; sweep mop scrub wash and disinfect floors walls ceilings sinks and other equipment; operate equipment including but not limited to cage washers fogging machines floor scrubbers autoclaves pressure washers scales and veterinary care instruments.
• Recognize and report problems with facilities (i.e. inappropriate room temperatures leaking or broken water pipes plugged drains damaged surfaces etc.). Report items requiring corrective action following DCM operational procedures; may complete corrective action as authorized or directed.
• Record requested environmental data (e.g. room temperatures lighting); sign area work sheet for work performed.

Research Support Services

• Responsible for assist with coordinate and complete of a large volume of tasks following various complex research protocols in support of laboratory animals used in research.
• Participate in the development coordination and implementation of institution-wide animal care and use procedures assist with acquisition and maintenance of all appropriate regulatory research and animal records and reports; implement established procedures and policies governing the safe and humane care and use of laboratory animals.
• Provide Technical services such as obtaining blood samples administration of medications or test material. Administer medications and treatments to animals as instructed by the veterinary staff.
• Interact with the research investigative staff to accomplish their needs in a professional manner with a service-oriented attitude. Communicate clearly and professionally in both oral and written formats with co-workers technical and professional staff.

Miscellaneous

• Drives vehicles around and between campus.
• Autoclaves materials and equipment.
• Identifies animals.
• Assists in loading and unloading animals.
• Assists with animal capture and care.
• Assists with unloading and storing feed.
• Other duties as assigned.

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Six months of experience providing paid or voluntary care for animals.

• Valid drivers license and the ability to drive DCM/ONPRC vehicles on and off campus.

• Professional and service-oriented attitude.
• Interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Ability to consistently interact with research investigative staff supervisors and co-workers in a positive and constructive manner.
• Ability to use proper techniques to perform standard clinical procedures.
• Dexterity and manual skills.
• Ability to use the computer keyboard to type.
• Ability to read write and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and/or written formats with both technical and professional staff.
• Ability to successfully pass an FBI background check.

• Bachelors degree in science preferably in related field such as Animal Sciences Biology Physiology etc.

• One year experience working with small laboratory animals including but not limited to mice rats and guinea pigs.

• Experience providing paid or voluntary husbandry for animals (i.e. watering feeding changing bedding housing checking animals health etc.). As an on-the-job trained position is not required to have prior experience with laboratory animals.
• Experience in the health care of research animals.
• Experience as a veterinary technician or assistant.
• Experience with handling and administering medications through various routes.
• Pharmaceutical drug and controlled drug knowledge.
• Knowledge of standardized medical terminology and nomenclature.

• Certification by the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science at the Laboratory Animal Technician level (LAT) OR equivalent certification such as Certified Animal Health Technician (AHT) or Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT).

Weekly work schedules established by DCM supervisory staff including voluntary and in-voluntary weekend overtime and holiday work schedules.

Working Conditions

• Perform research support and/or animal care activities that may be required on weekends during non-regular working hours or on an overtime basis.

• Daily work may involve moving on wet and/or slick surfaces through narrow corridors between rows of cages and climbing stairs to corral observation towers.

• Perform work in covered areas that are not environmentally controlled.

• Work in areas where there is risk of exposure to zoonotic agents through injury by direct contact with animals or their tissues and body fluids or by contact with equipment contaminated by animals or their tissues and body fluids.

• Work where there is risk of exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals and sanitizing chemicals.

• Work inside an ABSL-3 facility is required.

• Work inside an Insectary is required.

Physical Demands and Equipment

• Possess sufficient dexterity and manual skills to safely perform basic animal husbandry and animal handling (using proper techniques).
• Able to lift and carry objects weighing up to 23 kg (50lbs) and lift objects weighing approximately 19 kg (42lbs) to approximately shoulder height.
• Able to push and pull heavy wheeled equipment such as cage racks and loaded carts.
• Able to move unassisted through various animal housing areas located in several separate buildings indoor and outdoor in order to make animal observations perform animal husbandry tasks handle move or restrain animals collect samples administer treatments and perform other procedures.
• Possess sufficient dexterity and manual skills to safely perform (or learn to perform) basic animal husbandry and animal handling (using proper techniques) and health care procedures including but not limited to feeding and sanitization procedures animal capture and restraint administration of medications and collection of body fluids and tissues.

Benefits

• Healthcare for full-time employees covered 100% and 88% for dependents.
• $50K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee.
• Two separate above market pension plans to choose from.
• Vacation - up to 200 hours per year dependent on length of service.
• Sick Leave - up to 96 hours per year.
• 9 paid holidays per year.
• Substantial Tri-Met and C-Tran discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Childcare service discounts.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Employee discounts to local and national businesses.