Clinical Veterinary Technician 1

Oregon Health & Science University•Beaverton, OR

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC) is located 12 miles west of the OHSU main campus, and sits on 162 acres of land featuring forested areas, research and administration buildings, indoor and outdoor animal housing, and 2-mile perimeter walking path. Our mission is to improve human health and the quality of life through the support of nonhuman primate research programs that advance our knowledge of the causes, preventions, treatments, and cures of debilitating diseases. The Clinical Veterinary Technician 1 assists in providing clinical care, nursing support and husbandry for a variety of laboratory research animals. This is the first level of a three-level series. It is distinguished from the higher levels with increased level of oversight on clinical cases and focus on assisting surgical procedures. This role will be supervised or guided by senior staff and DVMs. At this level there is an emphasis on animal health, training, and greater supervision. It is distinguished from other Veterinary Technician series by the emphasis on clinical care and nursing support. Work inside an ABSL3 facility is a requirement of this position.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED
1 year experience caring for animals in a veterinary hospital including 6 month experience in a clinical position
State certification through the Veterinary Medical Examining Board as a Veterinary Technician
Certification by the American Association for Lab Animal Science at the Assistant Lab Animal Technician (ALAT) level within one year of employment
Knowledgeable in standard medical terminology and nomenclature
Ability to communicate and record patient information as required
Manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills to correctly perform clinical and technical procedures
Knowledge of veterinary and biological principles which underlie clinical illness.
Knowledge of normal physiological parameters, normal growth and development, and typical disease processes
Knowledge of veterinary procedures and practices to determine appropriate actions during clinical case management
Ability to operate a variety of medical equipment used in clinical practice
Ability to obtain clear, diagnostic x-rays using established medical techniques or standard procedures.
Knowledge of methodology and microbiology as it relates to cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization.
Veterinary nursing skills for intensive care patients
Ability to utilize personal protective equipment for cases requiring Animal Biosafety levels 2 & 3
Ability to interact in a positive and productive manner with veterinary, scientific, and technical staff in difficult or stressful situations
Intermediate level skills in Microsoft applications
Prioritization/triage
Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written formats
current state certification through the Veterinary Medical Examining Board
valid Driver’s License and the ability to drive DCM vehicles on and off campus

Nice To Haves

AA in Veterinary Technology
Experience in the health care of experimental animals in a research setting
Experience working with USDA regulated research animals
Experience working in a surgical environment
Experience with dental procedures, ultrasound, radiology, or emergency medicine
Advanced computer and Microsoft skills
Medical knowledge and clinical experience in the management of nonhuman primate illness
Skills from working in the surgical environment
AALAS certification
Current state issued radiology license

Responsibilities

Rounds/Triage With oversight, evaluates new and ongoing clinical cases
Provides basic treatments within clinic guidelines or as determined by the attending veterinarian
Determines which cases need immediate care from the attending veterinarian, and which can be managed through routine practices
Nursing and Critical care Provides assistance and support in the assessment, treatment, and stabilization of patients with urgent medical needs.
May independently stabilize patients while the veterinarian is en route.
Provides ongoing care for patients with potentially life-threatening illness or injury whose condition is likely to change moment to moment.
Monitors recovery from sedation and patient care, including creation of medical records and administration of medications.
Performs general nursing functions in the clinical hospital, hospitalized patient area, and animal housing facilities
Therapeutics Performs standard clinical procedures on research animals including but not limited to: checking for standard pathogens and treating as appropriate; venipuncture, intravenous and urethral catheter placement; medication dose calculations; administration of medications via intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intradermal and oral routes; body fluid and tissue collection; cleans, debrides, sutures, and bandages wounds; assists with dental manipulations; monitoring of animals receiving gas anesthetics.
Observation and Records Checks clinical cases daily for signs of abnormal behavior, illness, or injury
Records information necessary to document adequate clinical care; and reports observed findings to veterinarians
Records requested environmental data; fills out death record on dead or euthanized animals.
Animal Husbandry Waters and feeds hospitalized animals as instructed.
Captures, restrains and transports animals in support of investigative or veterinary procedures.
Identifies sex Weighs animals
General Maintenance Clean and disinfects surgical and clinical supplies and instrumentation by an appropriate means for the material being cleaned.
Assembles surgical instrument sets and supplies according to established guidelines or as directed.
Maintains sterility of surgical supplies and instruments through proper storage and rotation
Maintain procedure rooms including but not limited to stocking, cleaning, expiration monitoring
Miscellaneous May perform some of the following tasks Drive unit vehicles to provide support to animal care.
Identify animals.
Help with group-housed processing.
Perform any duties which are deemed necessary by managerial staff.