Laboratory Veterinary Technician II

Center for Molecular Imaging & Therapy•Shreveport, LA

About The Position

The Laboratory Veterinary Technician II provides daily animal husbandry and performs pre-clinical imaging studies related to Center for Molecular Imaging and Therapy projects. The position also provides technical services, including intravenous, subcutaneous, and intraperitoneal injections in rodents. The technician handles and cares for rodents and primates; supports clinical and surgical procedures; conducts sample collection, necropsies, and tissue harvesting; and maintains study and facility records. The role also involves conducting pre-clinical imaging procedures, assisting with study design and data analysis, operating and maintaining laboratory equipment, and supporting research manuscripts. The Center for Molecular Imaging and Therapy specializes in radiopharmaceutical production and distribution, technologically advanced clinical trials, and research opportunities for scientists.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in a biomedical or veterinary discipline.
At least two years of specialized laboratory experience, including rodent handling techniques such as husbandry, anesthesia and analgesic administration, restraint, and health monitoring, as well as procedures such as injections, surgery, fluid collection, and necropsy.
Must have no known laboratory animal allergies.
Must be familiar with and able to work in a USDA-registered research animal facility.
Must be familiar with safety requirements for working with rodents and primates.
Technical skills in common routes of administration, blood collection, and sample collection.
Highly organized and attentive to detail, with effective written and oral communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with optical, PET, SPECT, CT, and/or MRI imaging experiments.
Knowledge of rodent anatomy.
Rodent tail vein injection experience.
CVT, ALAT, and/or LAT certification or licensure.

Responsibilities

Handle and restrain rodents and primates.
Change rodent cages and perform general facility upkeep.
Order supplies.
Perform and record daily clinical observations.
Administer and maintain anesthesia.
Provide pre-operative and post-operative nursing care.
Administer test and control articles through various routes, including subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous injections.
Perform in-life blood collection and prepare associated serum or plasma.
Perform dermal scoring and clinical observations.
Conduct rodent necropsies and harvest tissues, especially subcutaneous injection sites, for histology.
Generate and manage logbooks, scientific notebooks, clinical records, and temperature and humidity logs.
Conduct pre-clinical imaging studies, including contrast-agent and radiopharmaceutical administration, in-vivo testing and imaging, image-guided procedures, and dosing with standard and novel therapeutic drugs.
Assist with data analysis.
Operate and maintain laboratory equipment; regularly assess and record equipment performance and initiate troubleshooting as needed.
Assist with study design and implementation of pre-clinical research studies.
Assist with the preparation and publication of manuscripts.
Perform other duties, responsibilities, or tasks necessary to further the agenda of the Center for Molecular Imaging and Therapy.