Veterinary Svcs Assistant 1

Job Description

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Veterinary Services Assistant 1 position is a member of the Animal Resource Center (ARC) Veterinary Services team. This position is responsible for the health and well-being of research animals and monitoring animals to identify health-related problems, dietary needs, overcrowding and cage conditions. The veterinary services assistant is also responsible for identifying and documenting conditions that adversely affect the health of the animals, rodent overcrowding and providing support to the veterinary services team. This position works closely with veterinary personnel and will provide back up to the veterinary personnel in the areas of rodent laboratory animal health and drug disbursement. This position is subject to compliance regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines, the State of Ohio Veterinary Practice Act, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration regulatory guidelines, US Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine regulations and other applicable regulatory guidelines. This position will work with animals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Feed animals and provide clean water per protocol or as needed, change cage bedding, transfer animals from dirty to clean cages and disinfect animal quarters. Observe animals during this process and note and report anything unusual that may indicate problems with the animals such as health related problems, housing/caging, overcrowded conditions, or food or water problems. (12%)
• Inspect animals in an assigned area every day and report abnormalities to animal husbandry manager, team leader and/or veterinary staff. (12%)
• Perform routine housekeeping duties to maintain animal rooms. Clean and keep areas organized and free of clutter per United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the AAALAC Guide (counters, sinks, carts, etc.). (12%)
• Monitor cages; identify overcrowded cages. Separate overcrowded animals not addressed by principal investigative staff. Perform billing associated with overcrowded separation. (12%)
• Review all sick animal health observations received in the previous 24 hours using a handheld or stationary tablet device. Interface with an ARC veterinarian in order to determine, implement, and document follow-up treatment or actions. (12%)
• Monitor, record, disburse, and destroy controlled substances in accordance with Drug Enforcement Agency guidelines and all applicable governing regulatory guidelines. Assist veterinary services in performing monthly audit of all ARC controlled drugs on the first business day of each month. (12%)
• Maintain proper identification and accurate and detailed records of animals (inventory and cage cards). (10%)
• Assist research investigators and attending veterinarians and veterinary services staff in handling, manipulation and treatment of animals within the Animal Resource Center. Following specific instructions, administer medication or experimental materials to animals. (6%)
• Provide research support and technical services. Assist principal investigators with surgical procedures, including anesthesia induction and monitoring, surgical prep, and post-surgical veterinary nursing support. (6%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Perform quarterly rodent disease surveillance testing (serology, parasitology, bacteriology, PCR) for all ARC rodent housing rooms. (2%)
• Monitor for environmental enrichment daily, including room assessment, provision of supplies for animal technicians and inventory supply tracking. (2%)
• Perform other duties as assigned. (2%)

CONTACTS

Department: Daily contact with supervisor, ARC staff, attending veterinarians, animal care personnel and managers regarding training, rodent overcrowding, animal health, compliance, and various administrative matters.

University: Daily contact with researchers regarding training, rodent overcrowding, animal health, compliance, and various administrative matters. Daily contact with researchers and other affiliated (e.g., IACUC members) outside of the School of Medicine.

External: Some contact with various vendors to explore new enrichment and animal health equipment.

Students: Regular contact with graduate students and medical students for the provision of overcrowding of cages, training and enrichment.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

No direct supervisory responsibility. This position will participate in introducing Cuyahoga Community College student interns to animal research.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 0 to 1 or more years of experience in a laboratory animal environment required.

Education/Licensing: High School education required. Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) level certification from the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) preferred; and maintenance of AALAS RALAT certification registry preferred. Valid Ohio driver's license required.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Knowledge, understanding and ability to accurately apply commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures within the field of veterinary services, specific to a veterinary technician role.

• Previous experience working with animals preferred.

• Must demonstrate compliance with Case Western Reserve University animal research and care (ARC) policies and procedures and compliance to regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines, the State of Ohio Veterinary Practice Act, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration regulatory guidelines, US Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine regulations and other applicable regulatory guidelines.

• Ability to handle, restrain, administer substances and anesthesia and provide monitoring and post-operative and other nursing care for a wide range of animal species including but not limited to rodents, rabbits, dogs, cats, and livestock.

• Ability to maintain familiarity and demonstrate knowledge of and compliance to ARC policies and governing regulatory guidelines.

• Must demonstrate compassion for animals within the Case Western Reserve University facilities and dedication to the Animal Resource Center's mission. Must handle animals with care and respect at all times.

• Professional and effective verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to articulately and accurately relay information to investigators, research staff, and other interested parties.

• Strong interpersonal skills: ability to work and communicate with various individuals from a broad spectrum of disciplines, technical and educational backgrounds within the department, School and University, and with individuals outside the university.

• Strong organization skills: ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines. Must demonstrate an attention to detail and accuracy, follow-through and time-management skills.

• Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively within a team. Must be highly motivated and a self-starter.

• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.

• Excellent problem solving skills; must demonstrate sound judgment and good decision-making.

• Must demonstrate flexibility and ability to work under pressure; must be able and willing to work in a fast-paced, changing environment, and conform to shifting priorities, demands and timeline.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, relational database software and with internet navigation.

• Must demonstrate willingness to learn new techniques, procedures, processes, and computer programs as needed.

• Ability to meet consistent attendance.

• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors and customers face to face.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position will work directly and/or indirectly with animals, which may include rodents, rabbits, dogs, cats, pigs, sheep, goats, and aquatics. This position may have direct contact with or have exposure to the following hazards: bloodborne pathogens, chemicals, infectious agents, select agents, radioactive materials, human blood and tissue, animal blood and tissue. Personal protective equipment, including lab coat, gloves, and goggles, will be provided to limit exposure to hazards. This position requires baseline evaluation of hearing and vision. This position may require the ability to independently lift or assist with lifting animals ranging from small to large. The nature of this position may require the use of a respirator. This position may be required to drive or travel to satellite facilities to perform veterinary care. This position is subject to an FBI check and fingerprinting. This position may require working some weekends and holiday shifts.

It is necessary to complete the job before leaving work; veterinary care cannot be held over to the next day and providing the highest level of care to animals is essential to ARC's mission. Veterinary care is a 7-day per week, 365-days per year job. All tasks must be performed to fulfill guidelines and regulations according to USDA and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NRC2011), which is the main resource used by AAALAC's Council on Accreditation.

Case Western Reserve University's animal facilities are accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) and is managed according to the "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals' appropriate Federal Animal Welfare Regulations, and the Public Health Service 'Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals." This position, and all animal research personnel, are subject to internal compliance to Animal Resource Center Standard Operating Procedures and to compliance regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines, the State of Ohio Veterinary Practice Act, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration regulatory guidelines, US Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine regulations and other applicable regulatory guidelines.

Diversity Statement

In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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Reasonable Accommodations

Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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