Careers

JOB TITLE:         Veterinary Technician II - Surgery

Summary

Under the direction of Contract Management and the Facility Veterinarian, the Veterinary Technician shall primarily be responsible for preparing the surgical suite aseptically, monitoring animals pre- and post-surgery, preparing animals for surgery, operating anesthesia equipment, monitoring vital signs and assisting the surgeon.  This person must be knowledgeable of Veterinary Medical terminology and trained in animal treatment and care. In addition, this position requires completion and management of medical records. 

Requirements

Employee must have a high school diploma and preferably be certified through the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science as a Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) or hold an Associate Arts Degree in Veterinary Technology and experience working with animals in biomedical research preferable or companion animal practice and be eligible to take the LAT certification.

Duties:

• Communicate with the Attending Veterinarian and Researchers to better care for animals and provide services to the customers.
• Aseptically set up and maintain a surgical suite.
• Monitor animals (to include pigs, dogs, non-human primates, rabbits, rat, and mice) before, during and after surgery.
• Operate anesthesia equipment (mechanical ventilators, ECG, capnography, pulse oximeter, non-invasive and invasive blood pressure, temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate).
• Prepare animals for surgery (placing IV catheters, endotracheal tubes, shaving/cleaning surgical area, and aseptically cleaning surgical area).
• Perform body and dental radiographs.
• Provide pre- and post-monitoring of vital signs (respiration, heart rate, body temperature, etc.) of animals scheduled for surgical procedures.
• Assist Veterinarian with examination and procedures.
• Prepare and sterilize surgical equipment (Steam, Flash, and Ethylene Oxide).
• Use biological and chemical indicators to monitor the sterilization process.
• Maintain all rooms with stocked supplies.
• Assist with the monitoring and ordering of supplies.
• Completion and management of electronic medical records (DVMax).
• Ensure that proper veterinary care and treatment for NIH/DVR animals is maintained.
• Administer drugs or treatments to animals, as directed, including the calculation of dosage, and recording of drug use in Controlled Drug logs or animal clinical records.
• Assure that procedures and practices involving the program of animal care are appropriate for the continued maintenance of AAALAC accreditation of the NIH animal facility.
• Assist, when requested, in experimental planning and logistics/scheduling requirements.
• Ensure all safety requirements are met.
• Identify and report potential problem areas related to animal use, care, or health, or problems with facilities or equipment which might be hazard to animals or personnel.
• Ensure that records, logbook, and other clinical and project records are appropriately and contemporaneously maintained.
• Compliance with the QA/QC program.
• Maintain a current knowledge of existing and proposed laws, regulations, and guidelines affecting the care and use of animals at the NIH.

• Maintain a broad general knowledge and competence in lab animal science husbandry, technical procedures, and facility management.
• All other duties as assigned.

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE:

1. Handling and manipulating animals
2. Literate in written and spoken English
3. Experience in an animal facility or previous skills working in a Veterinary Clinic.
4. Knowledgeable in PC applications including word documents and spreadsheets

Position: Research Assistant II – Imaging

 Requirements:

• A four-year college degree in the biological or life sciences field or CVT or RVT is preferred and a minimum certification level of AALAS Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) at time of employment.
• Shall have specialized experience performing one or more of the following; biological, physiological, microbiological or toxicological tests according to prescribed standards under the direction of Safety, the Veterinary Staff, or Principal Investigators (PIs)/Study Directors;
• shall have technical knowledge and expertise in the use of common and specialized lab instruments such as pH meters, anesthesia, surgery, surgical instrumentation, balances, centrifuges, incubators, autoclaves, analytical lab equipment, computer equipment, imaging equipment such as MRI, IVIS, Digital X-Ray, dual viewing port surgical microscope with camera, CT Scan, sonogram, work with non-human primates BSL 2 work involving technical support, health observations and security procedures, and/or support and advising PIs.

Duties:

• Able to operate complex laboratory equipment such as imaging and x-ray units.
• Work independently and train investigative staff in operating equipment.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records
• Maintain animal health records
• Perform prescribed treatments on animals
• Restrain, handle, and manipulate various species
• Perform procedures requiring various levels of biohazard containment.
• Report any abnormal conditions of the animal facility or immediate vicinity to supervisory staff.
• Perform or assist investigators in the performance of technical procedures, these include but are not limited to immunizations, bleeding of experimental animals, weaning, mating, re-derive animals, fecal collection and grooming of various species.
• Prepare and submit required written records, charts, logs, and inventories in a timely manner.
• Contact vendors for equipment yearly certifications.
• Conduct daily Waste Anesthetic Gas (WAG) inspections.
• Perform weekly and monthly equipment maintenance.
• Assist with ordering supplies.
• Keep scientific equipment inventory updated.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

JOB TITLE: Breeding Technician/Animal Caretaker III

Summary

Under the direction of the Veterinary Technician Supervisor and Contract Management, the Breeding Technician shall primarily be responsible for managing rodent breeder colonies. This person must be knowledgeable of Veterinary Medical terminology, trained in rodent animal husbandry; In addition, this person will also be responsible for assisting investigators with technical procedures including breeding animals, identification of animals, breeding of transgenic animals, weaning, sexing, and keeping appropriate records.

Requirements

Employee must have a high school diploma or hold an Associate Arts Degree in Veterinary Technology or Experience working with animals in biomedical research preferable) or companion animal practice and be eligible to take the ALAT certification.

Duties:

· Communicate with Researchers to better care for animals and provide services to the customers.

· Coordinate work schedules with Researchers and the Veterinary Technician Supervisor.

· Seek specialized training or cross training to maximize delivery of services.

· Manage researcher breeding programs including weaning of rodents, applying identification through ear tags or ear punches, and preparing cage cards with animal information.

· Collect rodent tissue samples for submission to genotyping.

· Ensure that proper veterinary care and treatment for NIH/NICHD animals is maintained.

· Prepare and submit breeding information logs to Researchers and Contract Management.

· Prepare and provide rodent enrichment to encourage breeding.

· Assist researchers or their staff by restraining and positioning animals for examination or treatment.

· Assure that procedures and practices involving the program of animal care are appropriate for the continued maintenance of AAALAC accreditation of the NIH animal facility.

· Assist, when requested, in experimental planning and logistics/scheduling requirements.

· Ensure all safety requirements are met.

· Assist the Veterinary Technician Supervisor in anticipating and planning for changing workloads and schedules.

· Identify and report potential problem areas related to animal use, care, or health, or problems with facilities or equipment which might be hazard to animals or personnel.

· Monitoring and executing the sentinel animal program.

· Ensure that records, logbooks, and other clinical and project records are appropriately and contemporaneously maintained.

· Compliance with the QA/QC program.

· Maintain a current knowledge of existing and proposed laws, regulations, and guidelines affecting the care and use of animals at the NIH.

· Maintain a broad general knowledge and competence in lab animal science husbandry, technical procedures, and facility management.

· Assist and perform blood collection or other technical/veterinary procedures as directed.

· Perform routine animal husbandry and cage wash functions as needed during emergencies.

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE:

• Handling and manipulating animals
• Literate in written and spoken English
• Experience in an animal facility or previous skills working in a Veterinary Clinic.
• Knowledgeable in PC applications including word documents and spreadsheets

Summary

Under the direction of Project Management, Receiving Technician shall be multi-task oriented, an effective communicator, and be able to prioritize supply and inventory requirements for a multibuilding laboratory animal holding facility.

Requirements

• Literate in written and spoken English.
• Proficient in use of Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Ability to develop, interpret and utilize spreadsheets for tracking inventory.
• Good interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Ability to function in a customer-client atmosphere, i.e., assists the company in providing positive responses to customer needs and delivery of quality services to the customer. Customer interaction is essential to the position, with responsibilities including resolving customer requests, inquiries, and complaints, and providing technical assistance as needed.
• Ability to follow through on instructions.

Duties:

• Responsible for receiving all equipment and supply orders at various loading docks. Cross referencing inventory requests with supplies and equipment received to ensure accuracy (quantity ordered/received). All supply packing slips must be submitted within 24 hrs. of receipt.
• Ensure receiving supplies/perishables are within acceptable ranges (not expired or damaged). Perishable items (feed and consumables) are stored by mill or expiration date.
• Working with Administrative Specialist and Facility Managers for tracking/comprehending inventory spreadsheets for multiple buildings.
• Delivering supplies/equipment to various buildings and storage areas. Requires the safe operation of pallet jacks and mechanical loading dock lifts.
• Requires the preparation and submission of written reports consisting of charts and inventory records.
• Specific areas will require the completion of individual tracking logs for specific supplies received.
• All supplies will require a decontamination process before being stocked/stored.
• Maintain receiving areas/loading docks in an orderly and organized manner.
• Organize and coordinate the surplus of equipment, as needed.
• Assist with building and animal caging/equipment maintenance, both preventative and as needed.
• Assure adherence to NIH/DVR security procedures and confidentiality requirements.
• Perform duties in adherence with established NIH/DVR SOPs.
• Participate in ongoing employee training programs.
• Ensure all safety requirements related to the position are met.
• Recommend alternate procedures/practices which would improve efficiency, verifiability, cost effectiveness, and range of services in support of the contractual effort.
• Other duties as assigned.

Hours:  Basic workweek of forty (40) hours per week with the start and the end of the workday dependent on the contract requirements of the workplace.  Hours dictated by the institutional research schedule, weekend and holiday work may be required. Must be reliable in attendance to ensure animals receive an appropriate level of care. Potential for call-in to assist facility or animal health related emergencies.

Physical Requirements:

Activity	Not Applicable	Occasionally	Often
Climbing		X
Stooping			X
Kneeling			X
Reaching			X
Standing			X
Sitting		X
Walking			X
Pushing			X
Pulling			X
Talking			X
Hearing			X

Lifting/Moving Requirements:

Light work; lifting to 50 pounds occasionally; repetitive lifting/manipulation of up to 10 pounds, applying up to 10 pounds constantly to move/roll objects.

Environmental Conditions:

Work may require the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in these facilities.  Cage wash areas may be prone to hot and humid conditions, and subject to objectionable odors, aerosols, dust, animal dander, and noise. 

POSITION TITLE: Animal Care Technician I&II - NHP

LOCATION: NIH/DVR 14 NHP Area

SUPERVISOR: Task Manager/Floor Supervisor

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Task Manager and Floor Supervisor the NHP Animal Care Technicians shall have demonstrated knowledge and skill in handling and managing Non-human Primates. They shall be able to recognize the appearance of abnormal animals and be able to maintain a clean and safe environment for all animals. In addition, this person will also be responsible for assisting investigators, keeping appropriate records, training staff, and providing supplies when requested. The Animal Care Technician III shall maintain accurate room logs, production schedules and maintain the cleanliness of the facility.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

Must have a High School Diploma or GED.

Must have AALAS Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification or LAT preferred. Must have a minimum of one year experience in a laboratory animal facility working with NHPs. Position will require LAT certification within 1 year of employment.

Candidates must possess an excellent command of the English language both written and verbal to effectively communicate with investigators and other staff members daily.

RESPONSIBLITIES AND DUTIES:

Essential Duties:

Provide animal care and husbandry services for nonhuman primates, including but not limited to: feeding and watering animals; handling and restraint of animals, cage and bedding changeouts; cleaning and sanitizing animal rooms, hallways, ancillary equipment; monitoring environmental parameters as required; assessing the presence of vermin and effectiveness of control efforts; performing animal health checks; assisting in the local delivery and transport of animals; assisting in the inspection and storage of feed and bedding materials; performing minor equipment and facility maintenance.

· Observe and report any abnormalities in animals, equipment, or facilities to the floor supervisor or the Task Manager.

· Perform husbandry, restraint, and environmental monitoring tasks in accordance with established DVR SOPs.

· Ensure that procedures and practices involving the program of animal care are appropriate for the continued maintenance of AAALACi accreditation of the NIH facilities.

· Adhere to security procedures and confidentiality requirements.

· Assist, when requested, in experimental planning and logistics and scheduling of projects.

· Participate in the ongoing employee training program, with special emphasis on safety and health training, safe work practices, and use of personal protective equipment.

· Perform job tasks and duties in compliance with NIH “Guide”, facility policies, regulations, safety, and security procedures.

· Perform work in compliance with applicable safety requirements.

· Adhere to equipment sanitation and sterilization schedules.

· Ensure that records, logbooks and other project records are appropriately and contemporaneously maintained.

· Comply with the QA/QC program.

· Recommend changes in operational procedures that might increase the efficiency or effectiveness of work procedures or practices.

.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Climbing X

Stooping X

Kneeling X

Reaching X

Standing X

Sitting X

Walking X

Pushing X

Pulling X

Talking X

Hearing X

Lifting/Moving Requirements – up to 50 pounds

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Animal care and technical duties will be performed mainly indoors in an animal care vivarium, barrier facility, surgical or test procedure laboratory facility, or animal housing/bedding cleaning and processing areas. Work may require use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in these facilities. Laboratory environment and animal care work areas may be prone to hot and humid conditions, and subject to objectionable odors, aerosols, dust, animal dander, and noise.

Title: Colony Manager

Reports to: Colony Manager Supervisor and Breeding Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY

The Colony Manager  is responsible for providing comprehensive breeding colony management and support within the animal facility. This role involves performing animal husbandry duties, coordinating and providing breeding programs maintenance, maintaining accurate breeding and health records, and supporting investigators in breeding research-related activities involving rodents. The position requires strong knowledge of rodent reproductive biology, and animal handling.

EUDUCATION-Must have a High School Diploma or equivalent and certified through AALAS

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Animal Husbandry & Colony Maintenance

• Perform all animal husbandry duties in conjunction with breeding technical support, as outlined in the facility’s statement of work.

• Responsible for the breeding, perpetuation, expansion, and backcrossing of various research animal strains.

• Able to ear punch, tattoo, and read both ear punches and tattoo’s for identification purposes.

• Conduct weaning, sexing, and general care of colony animals.

Breeding Program Management

• Select breeding pairs according to investigator directions and strain characteristics.

• Confirm matings by observing vaginal plugs and weighing to confirm gestation for timed matings and carry out timed matings to meet research protocol requirements.

• Plan and maintain weekly breeding schedules based on investigator needs.

• Monitor male and female breeding performance and adjust as needed.

• Provide gestation-specific dams and manage separation of females for parturition.

• Learn and become familiar with unique rodent phenotypes used in studies.

Recordkeeping & Data Management

• Maintain all breeding and colony records including: Male/Female Breeding Records, Weight Sheets, Colony Management Reports, Retired Male Records, Euthanasia Records, Standing Order Forms, and bar-coded cage card orders.

• Prepare and maintain pedigree charts and breeding records with detail and accuracy.

• Input breeding and colony data into computer databases as needed.

• Maintain records in accordance with SOPs, working protocols, and investigator requirements.

Investigator Interaction & Support

• Meet with investigators to assist with colony start-up and ongoing management.

• Maintain communication regarding colony status and breeding performance.

• Provide coverage and support for other breeding colonies as needed.

• Work with investigators using transgenic animals to achieve optimal breeding efficiency.

• Evaluate and recommend improvements in reproductive efficiency and recordkeeping systems.

• Identify reproductive issues and make necessary recommendations.

Other Responsibilities

• Perform euthanasia per approved protocols.

• Carry out additional duties as assigned by supervisors.

POSITION TITLE:              Cagewash Technician          

LOCATION:                         NEI Cagewash Technician, Bethesda, MD

SUPERVISOR:                     Priority One Management

Summary

Under the direction of the Manager/Supervisor the Cagewash Technicians shall have the physical strength and dexterity to handle cages, racks, pans, feed bags, carts, dollies, and other equipment and be able to maintain a clean environment. 

Requirements

• High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
• Must have some knowledge of the following equipment: autoclaves, automated cage washing machines conveyors, bedding disposal, bottle fillers, and rack flush station, etc.
• Must be able to work with various cleaning and sanitizing chemicals.
• Literate in written and spoken English.
• Must be willing and able to sit and pass the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification at the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) level after one year of employment.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to cooperate with co-workers and function productively with others in accomplishing assigned tasks.
• Ability to function in a customer-client atmosphere, i.e., assists the company in providing positive responses to customer needs and delivery of quality services to the customer.
• Ability to follow through on instructions.

Duties:

Work Assignments are based on work requirements to meet the contract needs, which may include the following duties:

• Clean, sanitize, or sterilize caging or equipment utilizing automated cagewash machines, autoclaves, bottle fillers, and bedding dump stations.
• Dispose of waste in compliance with university and federal/state regulations.
• Minor/preventative maintenance of caging and equipment.
• Movement/delivery of feed/bedding sacks, cages, racks, pans, carts, dollies, and other equipment.
• Assure that procedures and practices involving the program of animal care are appropriate for the establishment and continued maintenance of AAALAC accreditation.
• Adhere to security procedures and confidentiality requirements.
• Ensure performance of activities in adherence with established SOPs.
• Participate in the ongoing employee training program, with special emphasis on safety and health training, safe work practices, and use of personal protective equipment.
• Perform job tasks/duties in compliance with university policies, regulations, safety, and security procedures.
• Perform equipment calibration and Quality Assurance (QA) as directed.
• Compliance with the QA/Quality Control (QC) program.
• Be at assigned work station by prescribed start time.
• Operate Rack washer according to SOP as directed.
• Operate Tunnel washer according to SOP as directed.
• Fill water bottles and build cages according to SOP as directed.
• Clean and sanitize cage wash and support areas as needed during the day, and at the end of day.
• Perform work in compliance with applicable safety requirements, (proper PPE, hearing protection).
• Adherence to equipment sanitation and sterilization schedules (preventive maintenance, chlorine and pH test).
• Assure that records, log books, and other project records are appropriately maintained.
• Observe and report any problems with equipment or the facilities to your supervisor.
• Perform sterilization and environmental monitoring tasks in accordance with        established SOPs.
• Complete all required sanitation logs and checklists.
• Any other duties or task delegated by the contract or university management.

Hours:  Basic work-week of forty (40) hours per week with the start and the end of the workday dependent on the contract requirements of the workplace.  Hours are relatively inflexible and are dictated by the institutional research schedule.  Relatively weekend and holiday work is required. Must be reliable in attendance to ensure animals receive appropriate level of care. Potential for call-in to assist facility or animal health related emergencies.

Physical Requirements:

Activity	Not Applicable	Occasionally	Often
Climbing		X
Stooping			X
Kneeling			X
Reaching			X
Standing			X
Sitting	X
Walking			X
Pushing			X
Pulling			X
Talking			X
Hearing			X

Lifting/Moving Requirements:

Heavy work; lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally; repetitive lifting/manipulation of up to 30 pounds, applying up to 30 pounds constantly to move/roll objects.

Environmental Conditions:

Customarily performs animal care, research management and administration duties in an environmentally controlled work area.  However, technical and management duties may be performed in an animal care vivarium, barrier facility, surgical or test procedure laboratory, animal housing/bedding cleaning and processing areas. Work may require use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in these facilities.  Laboratory environment and/or animal care work areas may be prone to hot and humid conditions, and subject to objectionable odors, aerosols, dust, animal dander, and noise. 

JOB TITLE:        NHP Veterinary Technician I/II

Summary

Under the direction of the Sr. Veterinary Technician or Facility Veterinarian, the Veterinary Technician shall primarily be responsible for daily rounds, preliminary health exams of sick animals, reporting to the veterinarians, examination of all incoming animals for overt signs of illness, and assistance with the animal surveillance program for NHP species.  This person must be knowledgeable of veterinary medical terminology, animal treatment, nursing, and observations and communicating abnormal or poor health.  This person will be responsible for assisting investigators with technical procedures including sedation, anesthetic monitoring, bleeding, drug administration, identification of animals, restraint, and keeping appropriate records. 

Requirements

Level I: Employee must have a high school diploma, hold an Associate Arts Degree in Veterinary Technology or experience working with animals in biomedical research preferable) or companion animal practice and be eligible to take the LAT certification.

Level II: Employee must have a high school diploma, hold an Associate Arts Degree in Veterinary Technology or B.S. degree in biology, animal science or similar discipline, experience working with animals in biomedical research preferable) or companion animal practice and be eligible to take the LATG certification

Duties

• Provide care to research animals, performing health observations, reporting problems or abnormalities to the veterinarians.
• Assess and document clinical observations, body weight data, food consumption data, environmental data, and other data on the appropriate forms.
• Ensure that records, logbook, and other clinical and project records are appropriately and contemporaneously maintained.
• Administer drugs or treatments including dose calculation and controlled drug record keeping.
• Communicate with all staff to care for animals and provide high quality services to the customers.
• Coordinate work schedules with researchers and the supervisors.
• Restraint and positioning of animals for examination or treatment.
• Monitoring and executing the sentinel animal program.
• Assure that procedures and practices involving the program of animal care are appropriate for the continued maintenance of AAALAC accreditation of the NIH animal facility.
• Assist, when requested, in experimental planning and logistics/scheduling requirements.
• Maintain facility cleanliness along with sanitation and sterilization of supplies and equipment.
• Ensure all safety requirements are met.
• Identify and report potential problem areas related to animal use, care, or health, or problems with facilities or equipment which might be hazard to animals or personnel.
• Compliance with the QA/QC program.
• Pursue specialized training or cross training to maximize delivery of services.
• Maintain a current knowledge of existing and proposed laws, regulations, and guidelines affecting the care and use of animals at the NIH.
• Maintain a broad general knowledge and competence in lab animal science husbandry, technical procedures, and facility management.
• Perform other duties as assigned to include routine animal husbandry and cage wash functions as needed during emergencies.

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE:

1. Handling and manipulating animals
2. Literate in written and spoken English
3. Experience in an animal facility or previous skills working in a veterinary clinic.
4. Knowledgeable in PC applications including word documents and spreadsheets

Summary

Under the direction of the Project Manager the  Cagewash Supervisor/Foreman shall have the ability to supervise and manage all cagewash staff. Ensure all records are maintained and up to date. Must have physical strength and dexterity to handle cages, racks, pans, feed bags, carts, dollies, and other equipment and be able to maintain a clean environment. 

JOB TITLE:                  Cagewash Supervisor/Foreman  

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

1. Must have a minimum of a High School Diploma or equivalent.
2. Must be AALAS certified at the ALAT level (LAT preferred). 
3. Demonstrated record of cagewash operations and equivalent.
4. Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks in an organized manner with minimal supervision.
5. Good communication and interpersonal skills.
6. Working knowledge of Microsoft’s Office (Word, Excel, etc.) required.

 PRIMARY FUNCTIONS:

Work Assignments are based on work requirements to meet the contract needs, which may include the following duties:

• Coordinate animal facility operations.
• Work with subordinate employees to ensure that all work is performed in accordance with Animal Welfare Act and the “Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals: ILAR publication 2024, and the task Statement of Work.
• Work with subordinate employees to provide animal husbandry and animal care support services (e.g. clean cages, sterile cages, water bottles, feed, bedding, environmental enrichment, sanitation and decontamination management of cagewash rooms and adjacent areas) according to approved facility Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s).
• Work with subordinate employees to monitor and record tunnel and rack washer pH levels, water temperature levels, chlorine levels.
• Work with subordinate employees to appropriately mix and maintain all sanitization, decontamination, and sterilization chemicals.
• Monitor all cage washing equipment on a daily basis to ensure proper functionality.
• Ensure that all waste from the facility is disposed of on a daily basis.
• Provide facility logistical support such as internal facility transport of supplies and equipment.
• Maintain a weekly inventory of all feed, bedding, enrichment, and chemical supplies.
• Provide quality assurance to include monitoring of the effectiveness of facility sanitation, monitoring of incoming animal shipments for container integrity and animal health, cage-washing and autoclaving procedures, and any other quality assurance services as deemed necessary by the Project Officer.
• Provide proper care, use and maintenance of equipment and facilities as outlined in approved facility SOP's.
• Prepares and submits required written records, charts, logs and inventories as requested by your supervisor.
• Maintain employee performance evaluations.
• Interview potential applicants for open positions.
• Understands and follows all approved SOP's.
• Familiar with Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for chemicals used in the work area.
• Assists in any contract related activity, as assigned by your supervisor, to complete the required work.
• Weekend, holiday and after hours work may be required as necessary to meet operational needs of the work site.
• All other duties as directed.

Hours:  Basic work-week of forty (40) hours per week with the start and the end of the workday dependent on the contract requirements of the workplace.  Hours are dictated by the institutional research schedule, weekend and holiday work maybe required. Must be reliable in attendance to ensure animals receive appropriate level of care. Potential for call-in to assist facility or animal health related emergencies.

Physical Requirements:

Activity	Not Applicable	Occasionally	Often
Climbing		X
Stooping			X
Kneeling			X
Reaching			X
Standing			X
Sitting	X
Walking			X
Pushing			X
Pulling			X
Talking			X
Hearing			X

Lifting/Moving Requirements:

Heavy work; lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally; repetitive lifting/manipulation of up to 30 pounds, applying up to 30 pounds constantly to move/roll objects.

Environmental Conditions:

Customarily performs animal care, research management and administration duties in an environmentally controlled work area.  However, technical and management duties may be performed in an animal care vivarium, barrier facility, surgical or test procedure laboratory, animal housing/bedding cleaning and processing areas. Work may require use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in these facilities.  Laboratory environment and/or animal care work areas may be prone to hot and humid conditions, and subject to objectionable odors, aerosols, dust, animal dander, and noise. 

JOB SUMMARY:
The Clinical Veterinarian provides veterinary support to Division of Veterinary Resources laboratory animal programs consistent with DVR guidelines. The primary responsibility shall be the provision of veterinary medical and surgical care for non-human primates (NHP) and rodents. Participation in the veterinary medical care program for other various animal species is included as a smaller component of the duties of the position. Clinical Veterinarian responsibilities include providing daily clinical care and treatment of the laboratory animals; participation in emergency call schedule and after-hours veterinary care, ICU night, weekend, and holiday coverage with other veterinarians as required.  All services must be provided in accordance with all applicable regulations.

 
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:

1. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree or equivalent required.
2. Must have a license to practice veterinary medicine in at least one (1) state.
3. Minimum three (3) years’ experience required in clinical laboratory animal medicine which must include non-human primates (NHPs).
4. Completion of a residency program in laboratory animal medicine and certification as a Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) is preferred.
5. Experience with IACUC activities and research protocol review/approval process, and/or consultant service to the IACUC.
6. Must have knowledge of laboratory animal technician duties and training.
7. Must possess excellent knowledge of Federal, State, and local regulations governing Animal Care.
8. Must be a legal resident of the United States.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

1. Demonstrated record of work experience within an animal care facility, or within the field of laboratory animal science.
2. Demonstrated record of successful development, implementation and maintenance of training programs.
3. Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks in an organized manner with minimal supervision.
4. Good communication and interpersonal skills.
5. Working knowledge of Microsoft’s Office (Word, Excel, etc.) required.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Essential Duties:

• Oversees all aspects of research animal colony health, including health surveillance and medical management of NHPs and rodents.
  • Provides diagnostic support and treatment of sick or injured animals.Assists in the development and implementation of research protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
  • Provides technical oversight of NHP & Rodent animal care technician personnel to assure SOP training, safety, and facility regulatory compliance.

• Provides training and instruction on techniques associated with research NHP & Rodent use for animal care technicians and the DVR investigators and research staff.
  • Acts as a coordinator of animal care projects.  Directs project management meetings to ensure protocol requirements are being met by discussing current SOPs, the development of new SOPs, SOP training, any additional training needs encompassing emergency procedures for the treatment of injuries to personnel and animals in the NHP area.  Ensures that all animal care areas represent a well-documented and consistently implemented training process for all work groups.
  • Assists during experiment start-up meetings between contract personnel and the DVR Principal Investigators (PIs), Study Directors, Program Directors and other members of the investigator team to improve customer service and increase communication efforts with fellow scientists.
  • Shall have demonstrated ability to interact effectively with PIs, Study Directors and investigator team(s) to achieve goals set forth within approved research protocols involving animal care, developing department master schedules and study-specific schedules, diet, dosing, and standard observational and technical procedures and accurate reporting of such data.
  • Be familiar with active experimental protocols and future studies in the research pipeline to aide DVR and Priority One Services, Inc. with assuring PI and Study Director experimental parameters are met.

Summary

Under the direction of the Facility Veterinarian(s) and Program Management, the Veterinary Technician IV Supervisor will provide technical and clinical support services and assistance to veterinarians, and researchers. Veterinary Technician IV must demonstrate a working knowledge of laboratory animal science and technology with competency in clinical care, anesthesia, and technical procedures.  Experience should be related to the species housed in the program including rodents, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, frogs and non-human primates. Veterinary Technician IV will provide supervision and coordination for animal health services within the veterinary technician support departments.

Requirements

Personnel must be certified by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) as a Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG). Work experience must include over five years’ experience as a veterinary technician in laboratory animal facilities with at least 2 or more years supervisory experience.  Formal education shall include a minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalent, B.S. degree in a science related field, and be literate in written and spoken English. A working knowledge of computers and associated software catered to veterinary care (e.g., MS Office Suite) is required.

Duties

• Assisting the  Project Managers in assuring that all contract terms and conditions are met on time, within established cost limits and at acceptable performance levels.
• Assisting the Project Managers in compiling, preparing, and distributing applicable required monthly reports and deliverables.
• Establishing liaison/communications with research personnel to gauge satisfaction with performance/accomplishment of support/service requests and implement corrective actions as required should performance be rated as marginal or substandard.
• Extensive experience with Humanized Germ-Free mice
• Assuring that procedures and practices involving the program of animal care are appropriate for the continued maintenance of AAALAC accreditation of the FDA/DVS facilities.
• Assuring that personnel adhere to security procedures and confidentiality requirements.
• Ensuring adherence by contract staff to established FDA/DVS SOPs.
• Monitoring the performance of all subordinate personnel, praising quality performance, or providing counseling or additional training/supervision and retraining for individuals with deficient performance, to maintain a high level of quality and services.
• Assisting the Project Managers and Training Department in establishing, maintaining, and documenting a veterinary support employee-training program, specialized training, or cross training of contract staff to maximize staffing/delivery of service flexibility.
• Assisting the Program Managers in anticipating/planning for changing workloads/schedules, equipment, and supplies.
• Working in concert/cooperation with FDA/DVS compliance assurance entities (FDA Safety and DVS/IC IACUC committees).
• Provide routine animal health surveillance and/or assessment of sick animals along with colony health (sentinel) coordination.
• Routine veterinary care/support and treatments as prescribed by the Veterinary Staff.
• Maintains permanent animal health records and reports.
• Diagnostic support to include sample collection and preparation (e.g., blood, serum, tissue, etc.), fecal analysis, hematology, blood chemistry, urinalysis, radiology, and dental prophylaxis.
• Anesthesia support to include induction, maintenance, and recovery of animals.
• Surgical support to include instrument preparation and sterilization, animal preparation, sterile and non-sterile scrub assistance for the support of aseptic surgeries.
• Establishing minimum/maximum ordering levels, maintaining logbooks, and maintaining inventory of drugs and surgical supplies, and placing orders.              
• Sanitation of procedure rooms and support areas.
• Routine preventive maintenance of all surgical support equipment (e.g., intensive care units, anesthesia machines, etc.).
• Perform and supervise technical procedures including but not limited to routine injections, blood collection, tumor observations, timed matings, plug determinations, and weaning of animals, tail biopsies, ear tagging, weighing of animals, application of treatments and animal health monitoring.
• Perform monthly QA/QC inspections of all procedure rooms, veterinary technician support areas, associated logbooks and clinical case tracking logs.
• Pre-procedural food and/or water restriction of animals.
• Scheduling sample collection for the Sentinel Animal Program as directed by the Facility Veterinarian.
• Operate a computer to enter animal related data. Use of Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel.
• Supervision of assigned subordinates and scheduling of resources to comply with specific Laboratory Staff Requests (i.e. Technical Service Requests, Clinical requests, etc.).
• Demonstrate use of good leadership, team building and management skills.
• Other duties as assigned.

Hours: 

Basic workweek of forty (40) hours per week with the start and the end of the workday dependent on the contract requirements of the workplace.  Hours are dictated by the NIH/DVR research schedule and weekend and holiday work may be required. Must be reliable in attendance to ensure animals receive appropriate level of care. Potential for call-in to assist with facility or animal health related emergencies.

POSITION TITLE: Animal Care Technicians

SUPERVISOR: Large Animal Team Leader

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Large Animal Team Leader the NHP Animal Care Technician shall have demonstrated knowledge and skill in handling animals, especially NHP's. The Large Animal Care Technician will have experience with Non-human Primates. They shall be able to recognize the appearance of abnormal animals and be able to maintain a clean environment for all animals. In addition, this person will also be responsible for assisting investigators, keeping appropriate records, and providing supplies when requested. The Animal Care Technician shall maintain accurate room logs and maintain the cleanliness of the facility.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have a High School Diploma or GED.
• Must have AALAS Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician certification or one year’ experience in a laboratory animal facility, animal hospital, zoo, or related animal field. All Animal Care Technician’s shall train and become ALAT certified within one year of employment.
• Candidates must possess an excellent command of the English language both written and verbal in order to effectively communicate with investigators and other staff members daily.

RESPONSIBLITIES AND DUTIES:

Essential Duties:

• Provide animal care and husbandry services, including but not limited to: feeding and watering animals; handling and restraint of animals, cage and bedding changeouts; cleaning and sanitizing animal rooms, hallways, ancillary equipment; monitoring environmental parameters as required; assessing the presence of vermin and effectiveness of control efforts; performing animal health checks; assisting in the local delivery and transport of animals; assisting in the inspection ad storage of feed and bedding materials; performing minor equipment and facility maintenance.
• Observe and report any abnormalities in animals, equipment, or facilities to the floor supervisor or the Project Manager.
• Perform husbandry, restraint, and environmental monitoring tasks in accordance with established NIH SOPs
• Ensure that procedures and practices involving the program of animal care are appropriate for the continued maintenance of AAALACi accreditation of the NIH facilities.
• Adhere to security procedures and confidentiality requirements.
• Assist, when requested, in experimental planning and logistics and scheduling of projects.
• Participate in the ongoing employee training program, with special emphasis on safety and health training, safe work practices, and use of personal protective equipment.
• Perform job tasks and duties in compliance with NIH “Guide”, facility policies, regulations, safety, and security procedures.
• Perform work in compliance with applicable safety requirements.
• Adhere to equipment sanitation and sterilization schedules.
• Ensure that records, logbooks and other project records are appropriately and contemporaneously maintained.
• Comply with the QA/QC program.
• Recommend changes in operational procedures that might increase the efficiency or effectiveness of work procedures or practices.

PRIORITY ONE SERVICES, INC.

BLDG 49 ANIMAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN II

Summary

The Animal Health Technician II will provide surgical, technical, and clinical support services under the direction of the Senior Animal Health Team Leader or respective Animal Health Technician III. They must demonstrate a working knowledge of veterinary science and technology (e.g., first aid response, pharmacy and pharmacology, treatment, and examination) as well as technical experience and competency in surgical nursing, preparation and assisting, anesthesiology, nursing, laboratory procedures and radiology Experience should be related to the species housed in the Building 49 CAF.  Animal Health Technician II will assist the Animal Health Leaders in providing all animal health services.

Requirements

Preferred personnel be certified by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) as a Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG). Qualifications as a Licensed Veterinary Technician, Military Animal Care Specialist (91T), or degrees in veterinary medicine/science will be considered but individuals will be eligible to obtain certification at the LATG level within 2-4 years. Work experience must include four years’ experience in laboratory animal facilities.  Experience must be related to the species housed in the Building 49 CAF (e.g., Rodents, Rabbits, 13-lined Ground Squirrels, Zebrafish, Sand Rats, Swine, and Non-Human Primates). Formal education shall include a minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalent with working knowledge computers and associated software (e.g., WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Electronic Mail).

Duties

• Adhere to established Bldg 49 Standard Operating Procedures.
• Work tactfully and effectively with Co-Workers and Laboratory Staff.
• Routine animal health surveillance and/or assessment of sick animals.
• Routine veterinary care/support and treatments as prescribed by the Veterinary Staff.
• Maintains permanent animal health records and reports.
• Diagnostic support to include sample collection and preparation (e.g., blood, serum, tissue, etc.), fecal analysis, hematology, blood chemistry, urinalysis, radiology, and dental prophylaxis.
• Work under ABS Level I and II conditions.
• Anesthesia support to include induction, maintenance, and recovery of animals.
• Surgical support to include instrument preparation and sterilization, animal preparation, sterile and non-sterile scrub assistants for the support of aseptic surgeries.
• Environmental enrichment activities.
• Sanitation of surgical rooms and support areas.
• Radiation monitoring of posted rooms and/or areas within the CAF.
• Routine preventive maintenance of all surgical support equipment (e.g., intensive care units, anesthesia machines, etc.).
• Perform technical procedures including but not limited to routine injections, blood collection, tumor observations, weighing of animals, and implantation of subcutaneous transponders.
• Pre-procedural food and/or water restriction of animals.
• Routine serology screening for rodent surveillance and quarantine rooms.
• Identify and report potential problem areas with personnel, equipment, or facilities.
• Operate a computer to enter animal related data. Use of Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Food/waterlogs- email out an issues/follow up.
• Perform Rabbit PE/weights (bi-monthly)
• Perform Ground squirrel physicals (monthly)
• Perform Swine physicals (monthly)
• Assist Animal Health Team Leaders in meeting contractual obligations and deliverables.
• Other duties as assigned.

Hours:  Basic workweek of forty (40) hours per week with the start and the end of the workday dependent on the contract requirements of the workplace.  Hours dictated by the institutional research schedule, weekend and holiday work maybe required. Must be reliable in attendance to ensure animals receive appropriate level of care. Potential for call-in to assist facility or animal health related emergencies. Potential to provide weekend coverage if there is short staffing and unable to find replacements. 

Physical Requirements:

Activity	Not Applicable	Occasionally	Often
Climbing		X
Stooping			X
Kneeling			X
Reaching			X
Standing			X
Sitting		X
Walking			X
Pushing		X
Pulling		X
Talking			X
Hearing			X

Lifting/Moving Requirements:

Light work; lifting to 50 pounds occasionally; repetitive lifting/manipulation of up to 10 pounds, applying up to 10 pounds constantly to move/roll objects.

Environmental Conditions:

Customarily performs animal care, research management and administration duties in an environmentally controlled work area.  However, technical and management duties may be performed in an animal care vivarium, barrier facility, surgical or test procedure laboratory, animal housing/bedding cleaning and processing areas. Work may require use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in these facilities.  Laboratory environment and/or animal care work areas may be prone to hot and humid conditions, and subject to objectionable odors, aerosols, dust, animal dander, and noise. 

PRIORITY ONE SERVICES, INC.

Building 49 CAF

NIMH Research Specialist II

Summary

Research Support Specialist II for the National Institute of Mental Health under the direction of the Veterinary Medicine and Resources Branch (VMRB) and Institute Veterinarians. The Research Specialist II must demonstrate a working knowledge of veterinary science and technology (e.g. first aid response, pharmacy and pharmacology, surgical support, treatment, nursing care, and examination), as well as have experience with a wide variety of laboratory animal species. The candidate should have experience with anesthesia and surgical support, anesthesia monitoring, constant rate infusion and/or total intravenous anesthesia, surgical (sterile prep and surgical scrub) preparation and surgical assistance. The ideal candidate will have experience in behavioral studies and handling of nonhuman primates, rodents, and technical experience in using computers and computer software to conduct research studies.

Requirements

Candidate shall be certified at the AALAS ALAT level. Will be required to obtain a LATG certification within 1 year of eligibility.

Must have a minimum of three years’ experience in laboratory animal facilities.  Applicants shall have experience working with rodents and non-human primates.  Candidate should have experience with animal husbandry/caretaking procedures, accurate data sample collection, accurate and timely record keeping, and data processing.  Must be able to lift 40lbs to 60lbs, climb, stoop, bend, reach, and stand for prolonged periods.  Must be responsible and reliable to work independently when necessary and maintain good customer and team relationships.  Must be available to work evenings and weekends when necessary.

Duties

Primary responsibilities: Implements and improves environmental enrichment plan for all VRMB nonhuman primates.

• Documents compliance with environmental enrichment Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Prepares, distributes, and maintains all enrichment items for NIMH animals housed at Building 49.
• Assists with animal socializations (i.e. pairs or groups) and completes related documentation.
• Assists with colony data (paper and electronic) as per USDA requirements and NIH policies.
• Performs behavioral observations/assessments, both of individual animals and groups, when          necessary and/or requested.
• Provides behavioral treatments to animals exhibiting certain behaviors.
• Provides conditioning training to animals when necessary and/or requested.
• Assists with developing, reviewing and revising environmental enrichment SOPs and forms.
• Assists with developing and evaluating new enrichment items or methods for implementation at VRMB.
• Assists Research Technicians in animal activities to include first aid response, pharmacy and pharmacology, physiology, physical examination, and treatment under the direction of a veterinarian with various animal species.  Candidate will take all technical directions from the NIMH investigative staff.

• Other duties as assigned.

Hours: Basic workweek of forty (40) hours per week with the start and the end of the workday dependent on the contract requirements of the workplace.  Hours dictated by the institutional research schedule, weekend and holiday work may be required. Must be reliable in attendance to ensure animals receive appropriate level of care. Potential for call-in to assist facility or animal health related emergencies. Potential to provide weekend coverage if there is short staffing and unable to find replacements. 

Physical Requirements:

Activity	Not Applicable	Occasionally	Often
Climbing		X
Stooping			X
Kneeling			X
Reaching			X
Standing			X
Sitting		X
Walking			X
Pushing		X
Pulling		X
Talking			X
Hearing			X

Lifting/Moving Requirements:

Light work; lifting to 50 pounds occasionally; repetitive lifting/manipulation of up to 10 pounds, applying up to 10 pounds constantly to move/roll objects.

Environmental Conditions:

Customarily performs animal care, research management and administration duties in an environmentally controlled work area.  However, technical and management duties may be performed in an animal care vivarium, barrier facility, surgical or test procedure laboratory, animal housing/bedding cleaning and processing areas. Work may require use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in these facilities.  Laboratory environment and/or animal care work areas may be prone to hot and humid conditions, and subject to objectionable odors, aerosols, dust, animal dander, and noise. 

JOB TITLE: Veterinary Technician II - NHP, FDA White Oak Animal Program

Summary:

The Veterinary Technician shall be at the minimum certified at the AALAS LAT level at the time of employment and be LATG within the first year of employment. The Veterinary Technician shall provide veterinary care, animal protocol support, and treatments for non-human primates and other laboratory animals.  Representative examples of technical procedures include daily observations of  identified animals with abnormal health conditions or study related conditions, injections (intraperitoneal, intramuscular, intravenous), intravenous collection of blood and medical treatments as prescribed by the veterinarian and surgery support. Shall write up animal observation record sheets for health issues and notify researchers of these issues along with a treatment plan. Shall follow up on health issues with animal care staff and researchers, document and file all findings.

Employee must have a minimum of high school diploma or equivalent with at least 3yrs experience working in a Veterinary Clinic or equivalent profession. Certification through the American Association of Laboratory Sciences at the Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) is required.

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE:

• High School diploma required
• AALAS LAT certification required
• Literate in written and spoken English
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in an animal facility or previous skills working in a Veterinary Clinic.
• Knowledgeable in PC applications including word documents and spreadsheets

DUTIES:

• Communicate with the Attending Veterinarian and Researchers to better care for animals and provide services to the customers.
• Coordinate support schedules with Researchers and the Project Manager.
• Provide care to research animals, performing health observations, and providing veterinary care as directed, reporting problems/abnormalities to the Attending Veterinarian.
• Assisting with surgery support including pre and post-surgery monitoring, anesthesia monitoring and vitals documentation.
• Administer drugs or treatments to animals, as directed, including the calculation of dosage, and recording of drug use in Controlled Drug logs or animal clinical records.
• Assist researchers or their staff by restraining/positioning animals for examination or treatment and providing animal handling training as requested..
• Ensure that procedures and practices involving the program of animal care are appropriate for the continued maintenance of AAALACi accreditation of the FDA animal facility and according to Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs).
• Assist, when requested, in experimental planning and logistics/scheduling requirements.
• Ensure all safety requirements are met.
• Identify and report potential problem areas related to animal use, care, or health, or problems with facilities or equipment which might be hazard to animals or personnel.
• Ensure that records, log book, and other clinical and project records are appropriately and contemporaneously maintained.
• Compliance with the QA/QC program.
• Maintain a current knowledge of existing and proposed laws, regulations, and guidelines affecting the care and use of animals at the FDA.
• Maintain a broad general knowledge and competence in lab animal science husbandry, technical procedures, and facility management.
• Assist/perform blood collection or other technical/veterinary procedures.