VETERINARY TECHNICIAN - COMPREHENSIVE RESEARCH- FULL-TIME

Location : Chicago, IL

Hospital : RUSH University Medical Center

Department : Comparative Research Center

Work Type : Full Time (Total FTE between 0.9 and 1.0)

Shift : Shift 1

Work Schedule : 8 Hr (8 : 00 : 00 AM - 4 : 30 : 00 PM)

Summary :

Under the direction of the Director of the Experimental Cath Lab and / or the assistant director will coordinate and perform daily animal laboratory research related, health-related, veterinary medical assistant functions, and surgical and maintenance related functions.

Other information :

Required Job Qualifications :

Bachelor degree of Biological Sciences. In lieu of degree / certification, those with comparable experience or training will be considered.

Firm understanding of animal physiology and behavior

Firm understanding of animal husbandry and procedures

Firm understanding of anesthesia principles

Firm understanding of and experience in administration of agents to animals and the sequelae of this administration.

Preferred Job Qualifications :

Certified Veterinary Technician / Animal Health Technician or American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification at the Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) or certification

Physical Demands :

This position carries the potential for employee exposure to blood, body fluids, and other potentially infectious materials, chemicals and other hazardous conditions that may pose a potential health risk.

Each employee is trained and is expected to observe all fire and safety procedures, blood-borne pathogen and hazard communication standards, and the institutional animal care and use program.

Ability to handle and restrain all species of animals used in the facility.

Ability to work in close proximity with all species of animals used in the facility.

Ability to lift, move and / or place objects of a minimum of 50 lbs. in a repeated fashion.

Working knowledge of biology, physiology and behavioral characteristics of each laboratory animal species.

Working knowledge of personnel protective methods and devices.

No known animal allergies.

Disclaimer : The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.

Responsibilities :

ANIMAL HEALTH CARE FUNCTIONS

1. Be proficient in drug dose calculations and in preparation and administration of pharmaceuticals to common species of animal housed in the CRC.

2. Coordinate and perform record keeping and documentation functions as they relate to the use of controlled substances in the CRC;

such as USDA report, health certificates, quarantine, post-op, and treatment records; anesthesia logs, vaccination records, record of disposition, necropsy reports.

3. Coordinate and perform record keeping and documentation functions as they relate to the use of controlled substances in the CRC.

4. Liaison with CRC Director / Co-Director and vet techs regarding the health status of their animals as needed as directed by the clinical veterinarian.

5. Other duties as assigned.

SURGICAL AND NON-SURGICAL PREPARATION AND ASSISTANCE

6. Act as a direct liaison to CRC director and his / her technicians and staff as it relates to scheduling and coordinating procedures in the SRL.

7. Prepare surgical suites for all surgical and non-surgical cath lab procedures.

8. Prepare designated surgical site(s) on each animal for aseptic procedures in accordance with approved protocol directives and under the guidance of the clinical veterinarian, PI or designee of PI.

9. Perform the duties of a non-sterile circulating nurse during operative procedures, providing instruments and supplies as required by the surgical team.

10. Monitor animals during anesthesia and record relevant data; communicate status of anesthetized animals to clinical veterinarian.

11. Perform drug dose calculations and be familiar with preparation and administration of pharmaceuticals.

12. Ensure surgical candidates are prepared in anticipation of an anesthetic or surgical event in accordance with their species requirements.

13. Coordinate and perform record keeping and documentation functions as they relate to operative, post-operative, and health care records as needed.

14. Other duties as assigned.

LABORATORY FUNCTIONS

15. Under the direction of the Coordinator of the Director of the Animal Cath lab and / or assistant director of Animal Cath lab, perform clinical pathology diagnostics, such as hematology, bacteriology, fecal examinations, and skin scrapings.

16. Under the direction of the Coordinator of the Director of the Animal cath lab and / or assistant director of Animal Cath lab writing / submitting protocols (IACUC, rad safety, etc), communicate with all participants (PI, CRC, etc), maintain cath lab (supplies, omnicell, fluoroscopy), arrange for repair as needed, maintain a good relationship with human cath lab personnel and companies (private suppliers), maintain anesthesia, assist with procedure, prep animal and table, necropsy, storage of specimen, simple bench work (HE and immunochemistry staining, ), following appropriate training (handling of radioactive isotopes), computer data entry, record keeping.

17. Assist veterinarian, PI or Co-PI in performing necropsies and / or perform if designated.

18. Other duties as assigned.

CRC CATH LAB MAINTENANCE FUNCTION

19. Maintain on a daily basis cath lab procedure rooms in orderly and sanitary conditions, including cabinets, sinks, countertops and refrigerators, as applicable.

20. Procure and maintain all animal health-related supplies needed for the cath lab such as vaccines, antibiotics, parasiticies, other pharmaceuticals;

submit purchase requests as appropriate; maintain appropriate inventory records.

21. Other duties as assigned.

SRL FACILITY MAINTENANCE FUNCTION

22. Maintain surgical suites and support areas in orderly and sanitary conditions in cath lab.

TECHNICAL SERVICES FUNCTION

23. Provide technical assistance to PI and / or their staff, as needed consistent with those procedures in IACUC-approved protocol(s) under the direction of the supervisor.

24. Operate major equipment, such as maintain fluoro cath lab, automatic radiographic film processor, other electronic equipment in safe, proper manner.

25. Understand and use personal protective equipment and practices associated with sterile surgical procedures or animal husbandry procedures.

26. Operate facility-based computer system and software applications related to cath lab.

CONTINUING EDUCATION FUNCTION

27. Read all educational materials related to the care and use of laboratory animals as director by the supervisor.

28. Read and understand all operating policies of Rush and the Comparative Research Center.

Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.