Veterinary Technician, Ragon Institute

Mass General Brigham•Cambridge, MA

14d•$24 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

The Veterinary Technician provides animal care and medical assistance for laboratory animals at the Ragon Institute. The role includes performing rounds, triaging, treating, and monitoring basic clinical cases, collecting diagnostic and health-surveillance samples, and assisting veterinary staff and hospital colleagues with patient care, treatments, and facility cleaning. The technician supports research by communicating with investigators about clinical cases and maintaining documentation, and contributes to the operation of the animal research program. The position is with the Balazs Laboratory, a collaborative and diverse research team focused on immunology and infectious disease research. The technician supports development of humanized mouse models, including complex procedures such as survival surgery, and works with investigators, veterinary staff, and laboratory colleagues to enable research and scientific discovery. The position is onsite, scheduled for 40 hours per week on the day shift. After-hours, rotating weekend, and holiday work may be required.

Requirements

1–2 years of experience in laboratory animal or veterinary care.
Basic animal-care and health skills.
Excellent time-management skills.
Ability to locate and follow institutional SOPs and policies.
Ability to work with moderate supervision and close supervision.
Knowledge of basic veterinary procedures, sample collection, and basic treatments.

Nice To Haves

Associate's degree in Veterinary Technology; equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Certified Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) credential from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science.

Responsibilities

Provide daily care and husbandry for laboratory animals, including feeding, watering, cage cleaning, and maintaining appropriate living environments.
Prepare for trainings and procedures, and schedule and conduct basic technical-skills training for investigators and peers as needed.
Restrain animals while minimizing stress and maintaining the safety of animals and personnel.
Perform regular health checks and observations, identify signs of illness or distress, and promptly report concerns to the veterinary team.
Take vital signs, including temperature, pulse, and respiration, and perform general examinations to assess animal health.
Assist veterinary staff with routine health assessments, medical treatments, and procedures for laboratory animals.
Perform drug calculations and administer medications.
Maintain animal records by documenting conditions, reactions, and changes and updating the database.
Follow institutional, regulatory, and ethical guidelines governing animal research and welfare; use IACUC protocols and policies to evaluate clinical signs for routine humane endpoints.
Perform rounds, triage, treat, and monitor basic clinical cases; assist with diagnostic and health-surveillance sample collection.
Care for and clean patients and facilities, including completing patient treatments.
Communicate with research staff regarding clinical cases and documentation.
Support research activities, including development of humanized mouse models and procedures such as survival surgery.
Contribute to other tasks involved in operating the animal research program.