Research Veterinary Technician

Texas Tech University • El Paso, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Performs a variety of duties to assist Veterinarian in the Lab Animal Resources Center (LARC). Assist with daily health checks on animals, temperatures, humidity, lights, and ensure fresh food and water, which includes weekends, BSL2 and BSL3. Ability to support and assist Veterinarian in examinations, diagnostic testing, treatments, necropsies, tissue collections, and surgeries. Aid research staff and students in learning basic medical procedures involved in their studies. Provides hands-on technical training of Researchers and Research Staff including animal handling and restraint, blood collections, ear tagging/notching, tail snipping, injections, suturing, administering oral injectables and topical medication, oral gavage, routine anesthesia/analgesia, and aseptic technique. Assists with maintaining stock of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and inventory items that are needed while maintaining organized area of responsibility. Assists the Veterinarian and LARC manager with collecting samples, ordering, and maintaining data on the rodent health monitoring program (Sentinel Program). Recognize common rodent conditions and evaluate animals twice daily for illnesses and treatments. Communicate with Veterinarian and LARC manager on animal conditions and recommend treatment plans to research staff. Maintain surgical preparation area, prepare surgical packs, assist Veterinarian with anesthesia, surgical prep, and surgical procedures. Prepare monthly reports for Veterinarian and maintain proper medical and surgical records. Assist in preparing for inspections of facility by regulatory agencies. Assist LARC manager with training programs for animal care staff, encompassing instruction on essential procedures like rodent handling, pain assessment, medication administration, blood collection, animal identification, sample collection, and euthanasia. Demonstrate the proper use and care of vivarium equipment, providing training on both current and newly implemented equipment to LARC personnel and researchers. Adhere to all policies, procedures, and practices (Regents Rules, TTUS, HSCEP OPs, etc.). Personally, and consistently, demonstrate, display and act in accordance with Texas Tech Health El Paso’s Values (Service, Respect, Accountability, Integrity, Advancement, and Teamwork). Serve as a Value's leader while actively promoting and encouraging staff across the institution. Remain current with all licensure, certifications, and mandatory compliance and training requirements for this position. Perform all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED)
• 5-10 years’ experience in clinical veterinary medicine as a technician/assistant with hands on animal work including restraint, administering medications, surgical prep, surgical monitoring, basic husbandry and basic physical exam skills.
• Ability to understand and communicate effectively.
• Good attendance and work ethic.
• Remain current with all licensure, certifications, and mandatory compliance and training requirements for this position.

Nice To Haves

• Appreciation of animals.
• Desire to learn and grow in the field of laboratory animal science.
• Previous clinical animal experience.
• Certification as an Assistant Lab Animal Technician (ALAT) through the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS).
• Experience working in a laboratory animal facility, animal research studies with animals or a veterinary hospital.

Responsibilities

• Assist with daily health checks on animals, temperatures, humidity, lights, and ensure fresh food and water, which includes weekends, BSL2 and BSL3.
• Support and assist Veterinarian in examinations, diagnostic testing, treatments, necropsies, tissue collections, and surgeries.
• Aid research staff and students in learning basic medical procedures involved in their studies.
• Provide hands-on technical training of Researchers and Research Staff including animal handling and restraint, blood collections, ear tagging/notching, tail snipping, injections, suturing, administering oral injectables and topical medication, oral gavage, routine anesthesia/analgesia, and aseptic technique.
• Maintain stock of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and inventory items.
• Assist the Veterinarian and LARC manager with collecting samples, ordering, and maintaining data on the rodent health monitoring program (Sentinel Program).
• Recognize common rodent conditions and evaluate animals twice daily for illnesses and treatments.
• Communicate with Veterinarian and LARC manager on animal conditions and recommend treatment plans to research staff.
• Maintain surgical preparation area, prepare surgical packs, assist Veterinarian with anesthesia, surgical prep, and surgical procedures.
• Prepare monthly reports for Veterinarian and maintain proper medical and surgical records.
• Assist in preparing for inspections of facility by regulatory agencies.
• Assist LARC manager with training programs for animal care staff, encompassing instruction on essential procedures like rodent handling, pain assessment, medication administration, blood collection, animal identification, sample collection, and euthanasia.
• Demonstrate the proper use and care of vivarium equipment, providing training on both current and newly implemented equipment to LARC personnel and researchers.
• Adhere to all policies, procedures, and practices (Regents Rules, TTUS, HSCEP OPs, etc.).
• Personally, and consistently, demonstrate, display and act in accordance with Texas Tech Health El Paso’s Values (Service, Respect, Accountability, Integrity, Advancement, and Teamwork).
• Serve as a Value's leader while actively promoting and encouraging staff across the institution.
• Remain current with all licensure, certifications, and mandatory compliance and training requirements for this position.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as, the institutional pay plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED