Veterinary Technician

Job Overview

We are looking for a Veterinary Technician (Levels I, II) to join our Insourcing Solutions team located in Poolesville, MD. (See qualifications for each level)

In the Veterinary Technician (Levels I, II) role, you will assist with all activities required for supporting and maintaining the site animal colonies and Animal Study Protocols in support of the research program. Care for and maintain lab animals in accordance with all guidelines, policies, and regulations to ensure their health and welfare.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Reviews, comprehends, and participates in the development of all SOP's and quality assurance standards pertaining to specific area. Cares for and maintains laboratory animals in accordance with Animal Welfare Act and the “Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, as well as, NIH policies and Guidelines and other pertinent regulations and policies.
• Communicate with animal care staff, co-workers, veterinary staff, supervisors, PI, and collaborators.
• Provides veterinary technical and surgical support for NHPs (e.g. animal handling and restraint, collect blood and other tissues samples, perform injections, treatments, surgical preparation, pre-, peri-, and post-operative observations, anesthesia, intubations, placement of indwelling catheters, femoral, and necropsy).
• Provides research support to investigators via Technical Request forms.
• Operates and maintains a variety of medical equipment (e.g. blood gas analyzer, CBC machine, x-ray, anesthetic machines, EKG monitors, blood pressure recorders, IV pumps, surgical and dentistry instruments, irradiator and sterilizers). 
• Arranges, cleans and maintains procedure, treatment, and necropsy/procedure rooms.
• Quality Control of treatment and procedure rooms including cleaning, supplies, and monitoring expirations dates.

Responsibilities continued

• Calculate drug dosages and administration frequencies.
• Provides research support to investigators via Technical Request forms.
• Accurately maintain electronic medical records and update treatment plans.
• Monitors the environment and provides animal health surveillance as directed by facility veterinarian.
• Assists in the maintenance and detailed documentation of accurate surgical, anesthetic and treatment procedures in the animal medical records and files. Assists in keeping medical records and files current through timely placement of information and supporting documents.
• Quality Control of treatment and procedure rooms including cleaning, supplies, and monitoring expirations dates.
• Provides limited support to the nonhuman primate environmental enrichment and psychological well-being plan, as needed in the absence of Behavioral staff.
• Maintains and operates equipment and uses supplies according to SOPs and safety guidelines; performs general housekeeping and adheres to safety procedures. Complies with safety policies and procedures and MSDS guidelines, including those related to biohazards and radioactive substances.
• Actively interacts with customers as required to solve customer requests, inquiries, and complaints and to provide technical assistance.
• Maintains required attendance levels and adherence to work schedule in accordance with required staffing levels in order to ensure that assigned duties are completed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications

Level I

• Education: All candidates must possess a high school diploma or GED.

In addition, to qualify you must meet at least ONE of the following requirements:

• AA in Veterinary Technology. 
• 2-3 years' experience working with animals in biomedical research or companion veterinary medicine.
• AALAS certification at the Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) level.

Level II

• Education:  HS diploma or general education degree (GED) required. BS degree in Animal Science, Biology or similar, discipline or AA in Veterinary Technology preferred.
• Experience:  3-5 years' experience working with animals (in biomedical research preferred), of which 1 year must be with non-human primates 
• Certification/Licensure: Eligible to take the AALAS Laboratory Animal Technician (LATG) certification.

The pay range for this position is $28.00 to $33.00 USD per hour. Please note the range covers levels I - II, salary will depend on level, in addition to factors such as experience, skills, and certification. 

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to laboratory animal caging (non-human primates) and is regularly exposed to warm and/or humid conditions and chemicals.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• The employee works in various weather conditions.