Veterinary Technician

About Us - Values Overview

Department Summary

The Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DLAM) is committed to providing UNT Health faculty staff students and other partners with high quality cost-effective research bio-resources. DLAM has a dedicated and experienced staff that contributes to the HSCs exemplary program of animal care and use. DLAM provides veterinary and personnel training and expertise in laboratory animal medicine and technology.

DLAM is dedicated to support the Universitys research and teaching goals to promote and assure humane care and use of animals through compliance with the Animal Welfare Act Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International and University policies for the humane care and use of animals.

DLAM advises and educates researchers staff students and other professionals on animal experimentation issues and promotes best practices for the responsible use of animals.

Our primary concern is the welfare of the animals used in the facility. We maintain vigilance in ensuring that the animals experience proper care and handling with minimal discomfort or pain as well as live in an enriching environment. We adopt and abide by the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicines Position Statement regarding animal experimentation.

Position Overview

The Veterinary Technician supports the health welfare and responsible use of animals in biomedical research under the care of the Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine. The position provides technical support training and accurate documentation while maintaining the integrity of research studies and the highest standards of humane animal care and use. The Veterinary Technician works collaboratively and communicates effectively with veterinary animal husbandry research and administrative staff.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelors degree and five (5) years related experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Skill in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
• Ability to work successfully as a member of a team and independently with moderate supervision.
• Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Ability to tell when something is wrong or likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem only recognizing that there is a problem.
• Skill in selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn policies procedures and guidelines established by professional organizations and/or governing agencies.

Preferred Qualifications

Completion of an AVMA-accredited vet tech program and RVT (or equivalent) certification.

Required License/Registration/Certifications

Registered Veterinary Technician certification and five years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Ability to achieve LAT or LATG certification within two years.

Job Duties

• Veterinary Care Maintain an understanding of approved research studies and protocols so animals receive appropriate care while research integrity is preserved. Learn how study procedures and genetic manipulations may affect animal health. Must be familiar with and comply with regulatory bodies (e.g. USDA OLAW etc.) (e.g. AWA/AWR PHS Policy etc.) and guidelines (e.g. The Guide) related to the field. Using independent judgment and established standards of care assess animal health and pain respond proactively and provide or coordinate appropriate treatment under veterinary direction. Administer medications by oral subcutaneous intramuscular intravenous and other approved routes. Perform regular daily clinical rounds to monitor ongoing treatments health concerns and post-operative recovery; provide emergency care as needed or directed. Prepare animals for and assist with veterinary medical and surgical procedures including anesthesia preparation monitoring and recovery wound management and euthanasia. Perform examinations and coordinate routine maintenance tasks (i.e. nail trims bathing hair brushing etc.) for applicable species. Obtain fluid or tissue samples process diagnostic samples in-house and prepare samples for outside laboratory submission. Maintain accurate and timely medical treatment intake housing enrichment and electronic records; routinely review all records for completeness and accuracy. Use and maintain veterinary equipment which may include anesthesia machines ventilators infusion and syringe pumps stereotaxis equipment suction warming devices and microscopes. Maintain pharmacy and clinical supplies including dispensing pharmaceuticals ordering and stocking supplies maintaining controlled substance records preparing and autoclaving instrument packs and keeping clinical areas clean and organized. Participate in scheduled weekend and holiday coverage and support the veterinarian on call as assigned.
• Animal husbandry support as needed Provide husbandry coverage when operationally needed including daily animal health observations feeding and watering cage changes cage wash sanitation and related documentation.
• Technical services for investigators Perform technical services that may include anesthesia preparation monitoring and recovery; breeding colony support; animal identification; injections; sedation; euthanasia; tissue collection; and other approved procedures. Document time spent accurately for treatments supplies and technical services for billing purposes.
• Training Assist in trainings for departmental staff research personnel students Provide regularly scheduled or special-request instruction on restraint identification injections tissue collection anesthesia asepsis safety clinical assessment euthanasia and other techniques necessary to support animal welfare and quality research
• Regulatory and accreditation support Prepare for and assist departmental leadership during AAALAC International USDA IACUC and other regulatory or oversight visits. Follow applicable regulations policies institutional procedures and occupational health and safety requirements; identify and communicate potential compliance concerns.

Physical Requirements

• Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.
• Repeating motions that may include the wrists hands and/or fingers.
• Lifting and Moving objects up to 50 pounds.
• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Ascending or descending ladders stairs scaffolding ramps poles and the like.

Environmental Hazards

• Small and/or enclosed spaces.
• Work with toxic or caustic chemicals.
• Noisy environments.
• Exposure to fumes or airborne particles.
• Exposure to moving mechanical parts or vibration.

Work Schedule

M-F 8:00AM to 5:00PM some rotating weekend on call duties

Driving University Vehicle

No

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed additional references can be added after the application has been submitted.

Benefits

For information regarding our Benefits click here.

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit and takes actions to prevent discrimination harassment (including sexual violence domestic violence dating violence and stalking) and retaliation on the basis of race color religion national origin sex age disability genetic information or veteran status in its application employment practices and facilities; nor permits race color national origin religion age disability veteran status or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination harassment and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice file a charge or report or testify assist or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.