Vet Tech I

Temple University • Philadelphia, PA

10d • Onsite

About The Position

Temple University's Central Animal Facilities Department is searching for a Vet Tech. The Research Associate (Vet Tech I) is a veterinary technician/veterinary nurse responsible for high-quality care of research animals at Temple. The individual will work for the University Laboratory Animal Resources (ULAR) department. The individual must have experience and demonstrated competency and proficiency in working with a wide variety of species. The individual will be required to provide high-quality veterinary care as directed by department veterinarians. The individual must demonstrate proficiency or be willing to be trained in animal handling, the administration of medications by all applicable routes, the identification of clinical signs of illness and disease, the induction and monitoring of anesthesia, assisting staff veterinarians with treatments and procedures, and he/she must be able to follow directions as given by department veterinarians.
For this entry-level position, the individual must be able to work in a team setting to gain necessary skills to become a productive member of the ULAR veterinary team. This individual will rely on guidance from ULAR veterinarians and senior level vet techs to gain experience in basic veterinary tasks, as well as more advanced tasks as competency is demonstrated and proficiency improves. The individual must be able to take instruction and constructive criticism to improve skills necessary to provide high-quality veterinary care. This individual may require close monitoring and supervision until they demonstrate the skills necessary to eventually work more independently. The individual should possess a basic knowledge of veterinary procedures and techniques and should be building on that general knowledge as more time is spent performing necessary tasks. This individual should be building on basic knowledge of veterinary principles to eventually be deemed competent and proficient to participate in more advanced procedures, work more independently, and become more secure in talents and abilities. In consultation with senior veterinary staff members, this individual should be able to assess an animal’s condition and translate best veterinary practices to provide optimal comfort and care for the animals. The individual must be able to quickly assess situations and make judgements that maximize animal welfare and minimize negative impacts on research.

Requirements

• Associates degree in life science or related discipline and 0-6 months veterinary technician experience or related experience (i.e., research colony maintenance, veterinary technician assistant, etc.). An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Ability to read, write, and understand the English language.
• Willingness to work with and handle rodents, USDA-covered species, and other animal species involved in the Temple University animal program.
• Demonstrated ability to repeatedly lift 50 lbs.
• Must be able to operate standard laboratory equipment (autoclaves, centrifuges, animal clippers, anesthesia monitoring equipment, etc.)
• Strong organizational skills, along with the ability to be detail-oriented and to handle multiple tasks.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated computer skills, along with the ability to operate standard office equipment and software including MS Office.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with diverse populations of students, faculty and staff.
• Ability to work occasional overtime, including early mornings and/or late afternoons, and weekend and holiday rotations.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s Degree in life science discipline
• Certification as a Veterinary Technician (CVT, LVT, RVT, etc.)
• AALAS certification at LAT level or higher

Responsibilities

• Perform health checks on all animals on a scheduled basis for any signs of illness or injury.
• Know all basic husbandry standards of care for all species housed at Temple and be able to provide that care.
• Assist ULAR veterinarians with evaluation (including diagnostics) of any animal found with illness or injury.
• Ensure directions and instructions given by ULAR veterinarians are carried out completely and properly.
• Use good judgement in determining proper methodology when working with animals and working safely and efficiently to minimize injury to animals or personnel.
• Properly document treatments and procedures in the animal medical record, as well as completion of tasks on room logs.
• Must be able to follow all SOPs applicable to animal care and welfare.
• Must be familiar with the regulations as stated in the Animal Welfare Regulations, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (latest edition) and, other required references when working with animals in research.
• Other duties as assigned to support animal care and welfare.
• Provide proper pre-, peri-, and post-operative animal care and associated husbandry.
• Set up operating suite (operating rooms, procedure rooms, recovery rooms, surgeon prep rooms) properly to include disinfection of rooms, equipment, and supplies.
• Work in systems requiring aseptic technique, with training and supervision.
• Provide proper induction and maintenance of anesthesia for all species used in Temple research projects and clinical cases, with assistance and supervision.
• Demonstrate competency and proficiency in managing anesthesia with frequent guidance and supervision by senior veterinary staff.
• Be able to identify and report issues related to anesthetic complications regarding the status of the anesthetized patient and anesthetic equipment.
• Assist with surgical procedures to provide best outcomes for the patient.
• Maintain proper records regarding anesthetic procedures, including anesthesia monitoring.
• Perform proper medical waste disposal, including final disposition of animals.
• Must be able to work with, understand, and troubleshoot environmental and equipment monitoring (anesthesia machines, autoclaves, bacteriological monitoring, etc.)
• Submit proper forms for billing and chargebacks for applicable procedures.
• Must be able to follow all SOPs applicable to surgical and anesthetic procedures.
• Must help carry out rodent animal health surveillance program under guidance of ULAR veterinarians and based on established SOPs.
• Must be able to identify sick or injured animals to identify potential infectious disease issues in animal colonies.
• Must be able to perform physical examinations on rodents and large animals to identify illnesses or injuries.
• Must be able to document findings properly in the animal medical record.
• Provide feedback based on knowledge and experience to improve rodent health surveillance program.
• Must be able to manage time to ensure any preventive health requirements are completed on time according to the SOPs.
• Must be able to work in systems to minimize biosecurity risks to research animals.
• Assist with providing training for research and ULAR staff as needed in areas based on personal knowledge and expertise.
• Other training duties as assigned based on experience and expertise in particular areas.

Benefits

• Full medical, dental, vision coverage
• Paid time off
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Tuition remission - eligible employees and their dependents can obtain a degree TUITION FREE
• A generous retirement plan

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree