Animal Health Technician

Job Summary :

Performs daily health monitoring, clinical care, surgical support and enrichment for laboratory animals.

Please note : Must be able to lift 20 to 25 lbs. Must be able to work a shift schedule that includes working both Saturdays and Sundays, possibly a staggered work schedule, occasional overtime and holidays as required.

Must be able to read, write and comprehend English in order to read signage and to read and update animal health records.

Work space may be small, non-private, and close to other work stations where noise level can be high. This Position requires the individual to be available to work on either the Chicago and Evanston campuses as coverage needs dictate.

Must be enrolled in the university’s occupational health program which entails filling out a health questionnaire. The health questionnaire is submitted to the university’s occupational health provider for review.

Must be willing to undergo job related background check.

Specific Responsibilities :

Clinical Rounds

Performs daily rounds under the direct supervision of the clinical veterinarians or Lead Animal Health Technicians to triage new animal health reports and monitor ongoing clinical cases.

Communicates with veterinary staff and laboratory personnel to notify and update regarding the status of clinical cases.

Performs physical examinations and treatments as deemed necessary by the clinical veterinarians.

Surgical Support

Assists the clinical veterinarians or other qualified individuals with surgical procedures. Prepares sterile instrument packs and prepares surgical suite animals for aseptic surgery.

Under the direction of the clinical veterinarians, AHT Sr or Lead, administers anesthetic agents, intravenous fluids and monitors anesthesia and post-surgical recovery.

Environmental Enrichment

Provides environmental and social enrichment to the laboratory animals. Maintains and monitors various reports and records including animal health records, activity reports and enrichment logs.

Colony Health / Sentinel Program

Assists with the rodent colony health monitoring program (Sentinel Program) and incoming rodent quarantine program. Responsibilities include scheduling of quarterly and quarantine sentinel shipments with the diagnostic laboratory, ordering of replacement sentinels and review of the testing results.

Drugs, Supplies and Testing

Dispenses non-controlled drugs and supplies from the CCM pharmacy to laboratory personnel. Performs periodic inventories of drugs, supplies, assay kits and instruments.

Prepares and submits animals or specimens (blood, tissue, feces) for testing at diagnostic laboratories as determined necessary by the clinical veterinarians.

Teaching / Training

Participates in the training of animal care staff, laboratory personnel and interns in proper animal restraint, barrier technique and asepsis.

Participates in various staff meetings, staff training and continuing professional education.

Regulatory

Maintains and monitors various reports and records including animal health records, activity reports and enrichment logs.

Remains current with all regulations pertaining to laboratory animals including the Guide, Animal Welfare Act, etc. Becomes familiar with relevant Animal Study Protocols and meets with investigators and laboratory personnel to discuss research needs and animal health concerns.

Performs Other Duties as Required

Minimum Qualifications : (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a college level curriculum in veterinary technology requiring a minimum of two years of full time academic study in a program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association or completion of a 4 year degree in animal science, biology, veterinary science, zoology or related field.
• One year of experience as a veterinary assistant or technician in a veterinary medical facility, research facility or diagnostic laboratory or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience where the required knowledge, skills and abilities are acquired.
• Must be able to type and have working knowledge of spreadsheet, word processing and e-mail software.

Preferred Qualifications : (Education and experience)

• Current state board licensure in veterinary technology in at least one state.
• Experience in animal research.
• Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at the ALAT level.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $23.50 to $28.50 per hour. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data .

Benefits :

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness :

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.

We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior / adult care. Visit us at to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development :

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at to learn more .

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness.

More information can be found on the webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations.

We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.