Lab Animal Veterinary Tech 1

College/Department Information

The Division of Laboratory Animal Services at Augusta University is a service organization that facilitates the research and teaching mission of the University by meeting the animal research needs of the research community while concurrently providing for the safe and ethical treatment of research animals. Our emphasis on customer service is demonstrated by providing high-quality animal care and research support in a timely manner while being courteous, professional, and responsive to our customers. We maintain a centralized animal care program with administrative management of 6 on-campus and 1 off-campus animal facilities. We report to the Vice President of Research, consult, and collaborate with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. The animal use program is accredited by AAALAC, a Registered Research Facility with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA No. 57-R-0002) and has an Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare Assurance number.

Job Summary

The primary purpose of the Research Laboratory Animal Veterinary Technician is to assist the Veterinarians in the Division of Laboratory Animal Services with ensuring the proper and humane care of a variety of laboratory animals housed at Augusta University and assist research staff with proper rodent surgical technique, experimental procedures, and breeding management. The provision of adequate veterinary care must be in compliance with USDA, PHS, and AU regulations and guidelines. Under the direction of the Veterinarians, this position is responsible for providing complex animal care using common veterinary technology practices and performing technical procedures in support of specialized research projects. This position is an Integral team member, but it maintains the ability to work independently. This position must be available to work occasional weekends/on-call/overtime as needed to support animal care.

Responsibilities

The job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Observes and examines experimental animals. Must have the ability to recognize signs of abnormal behavior, illness, or injury, which are either experimentally related or occurring spontaneously. Relays findings and consults with the veterinary staff, and discusses animal health issues with investigators and/or research staff. Recognize~ and reports changes in the animal's environment or deviations in their proper use and care which may affect animal welfare; aids in the resolution of these issues. Maintain animal health records.
• Performs common veterinary diagnostic procedures, including but not limited to blood sampling, urine collection and analysis, fecal examinations, skin scrapings, and necropsies. Prepares samples for shipping to the appropriate laboratories when necessary. Collects and analyzes a variety of samples from animals monitored in the Animal Health Surveillance. Program including blood, feces, fur pluck, etc. Prepares for and ships or receives animals, including proper record keeping and health evaluations.
• Performs common treatments and procedures, including but not limited to animal preparation for surgery, catheter placement, intubation, monitoring of anesthesia, calculation and administration of medication and/or fluids via oral or parenteral routes. Responsible for maintaining animal health records and drug inventory. Purchases all Class I through Class V drugs for the department, following DEA regulations. Maintains the controlled drug log. Maintains and inventories the department pharmacy, supplies, equipment, and instruments for the surgical program. Responsible for maintaining anesthesia machines, related equipment, and surgical supplies. Maintains records and enters animal health data and records into electronic databases for Animal Health and Surveillance programs.
• Under the direction of a Veterinarian, calculates drug dosages, prepares, and dispenses limited drugs and anesthetics to investigators. Gives instruction and guidance on proper use of drugs and anesthetics, including dosage, routes of administration, duration, patient care, etc. Performs technical services, including but not limited to administration of drugs used in a research protocol, weighing animals, measuring food, and/or helping with a variety of research protocols.
• Provide rodent Surgical expertise to research staff and assist with oversight of rodent breeding management. Assists in the training of clinical and research personnel and members of the Division of Laboratory Animal Services via direct interactions or in class situations.
• Performs animal husbandry duties as necessary, including changing, sanitization, and sterilization of cages and accessory equipment, feeding, watering, and exercising of animals. Follows standard operating procedures to minimize cross-contamination of potential pathogens between colonies. Handles animals that have been exposed to chemical, pathogenic, or radioactive hazards and follows safety instructions for personal protection as well as protection of other personnel and animals. Handles and cares for animals in specialized colonies, including gnotobiotic, specific-pathogen-free, transgenic, or barrier-reared animals.
• Coordinate surgical activity in central and satellite facilities, and prepare the surgical area for sterile and non-sterile procedures, which include equipment, instruments, and pack preparation. Prepares patients for nonsterile and sterile surgical procedures, and administers and maintains anesthesia for induction, intubation, maintenance, and recovery. Operates a variety of equipment, including gas anesthetic machines, ventilators, pulse oximeters, and blood pressure, ECG, and C02 monitors, and closely guides and monitors the activities of research staff in the surgical and clinical areas to assure compliance with USDA, PHS, and AU regulations and guidelines.
• Drives department vehicles, operates equipment, and performs miscellaneous duties necessary to support the animal care and the research support mission. Available to work occasional weekends, and/or provide on-call service or a rotation schedule as needed to support animal care responsibilities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in Animal Science or related field and one year of veterinary technician experience OR High School diploma, GED, or equivalent from a recognized State or Federal accrediting organization, and a minimum of two years as a private practice veterinary technician or one year as a laboratory animal medicine veterinary technician. Valid driver's license required.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in life sciences.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

KNOWLEDGE
Proficient in Microsoft Office and other computer software/databases
Knowledge and understanding of animal health, husbandry, and behavior
Knowledge of or willingness to learn federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to laboratory animals

SKILLS
Skilled in making careful visual observations
Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
Detail-oriented with strong time management, prioritization, and organizational skills

ABILITIES
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Willingness and ability to work with research animals
Ability to work semi-independently and work a flexible schedule.

Shift/Salary/Benefits

Shift: Days: Monday - Friday (Work occasional weekends, and/or provide on-call service or a rotation schedule)

Pay Band: B6

Salary: $18.85/hourly - $20.83/hourly

Salary to be commensurate with qualifications of the selected candidate within the established range (generally minimum-midpoint) of the position

Recruitment Period: Until Filled

Augusta University offers a variety of benefits to full-time benefits-eligible employees and some of our half-time (or more) employees.

Benefits that may be elected could include health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, Teachers Retirement System (or Optional Retirement Plan), as well as earned vacation time, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays.

Also, our full-time employees who have been employed with us successfully for more than 6 months can be considered for the Tuition Assistance Program. Consider applying with us today!