Veterinary Research/Health Technician 1

Department Overview:

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.

Function/Duties of Position:

The purpose of the Veterinary Research Support Technician 1, Equipment Sanitation Technician is to provide research support, routine health care, and husbandry, for laboratory animals maintained at the Oregon National Primate Research Center.  The primary function of this position is to provide laboratory animals with sanitized primary housing in accordance with federal regulation and guidelines, to perform the research support tasks, routine health care, and manual and technical husbandry tasks, which are directly related to the care of laboratory animals.  This includes cleaning, sanitizing and sterilizing animal primary housing and equipment following strict protocols.  The area of work assignment and specific tasks will vary, depending on animal populations and care requirements, service requirements, and staffing needs, during regular and non-regular working hours, including weekends, holidays, or on an overtime basis.  Duties must be performed in a professional manner and will require contact with investigative staff.  This classification is distinguished by the increased responsibility and accountability related to animal care protocols, and accountabilities related to support of research protocols.

 

Key Responsibilities & Performance Standards

 

1. Research Support Services:

Responsible for, assist with, coordinate, and complete a large volume of tasks following various clearly defined and established research protocols and procedures while balancing the requirements of equipment sanitation in support of laboratory animals used in research; participate in the development, coordination and implementation of institution-wide animal care and use procedures; implement established procedures and policies governing the safe and humane care and use of laboratory animals; safely perform (using proper techniques), equipment sanitation, standard veterinary procedures, including but not limited to venipuncture, medication dose calculations, administration of medications via intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and oral routes; collect body fluids. 

 

2. Equipment Sanitation & Animal Husbandry:

Exchange non-human primate cages by removing animal from cage using a   transfer box. Transfer animal to clean cage. Transport dirty cages and/or racks to designated wash area. Clean and sanitize cages, racks and/or group housing enclosures. Includes operation of a mechanical cage washer, lift trucks, forklifts, pressure washers, foamers. Perform routine sanitization of animal primary housing, shelters, equipment and facilities. Includes sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, washing and disinfection of floors, walls, ceiling, sinks and other equipment. Operate floor scrubbers, autoclaves, forklift, lift trucks and pressure washers, foamers, and dispensing units. Inspect cages and/or racks for damage; remove damaged cages and/or racks and report the needed repairs. Recognize and report problems with facilities (i.e., inappropriate room temperatures, leaking or broken water pipes, plugged drains, damaged surfaces, etc.).  Perform simple facility maintenance tasks, including but not limited to replacing drinking water valves, replace lighting, etc. Feed and water animals.

 

3. Animal Health Care Services:

Participate in general animal health surveillance by observing animals in all housing configurations, recognizing abnormalities in physical condition or behavior, and reporting and recording observations to the clinical veterinarian or research staff; perform animal health  procedures such as weighing, TB testing, and blood collections; capture, restrain, identify, and sex common varieities of laboratory animals, and the transport animals in support of veterinary, husbandry or investigative procedures.

 

4. Complete and submit data processing forms; using computer keyboard, access and/or input information from the computerized animal record files; assist with acquisition and maintenance of all appropriate regulatory, research, and animal records and reports.

 

5. Other duties as assigned, to meet the goals of the Division

Required Qualifications:

Education:

• High School Diploma or GED

Experience:

• Six months experience providing paid or voluntary care for animals

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Professional and service-oriented attitude
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
• Ability to consistently interact with research investigative staff, supervisors and co-workers in a positive and contructive manner
• Ability to use proper techniques to safely perform standard clinical procedures (including ability to accurately calculate medication dosages)
• Possess sufficient dexterity and manual skills to safely perform (or learn to perform) basic animal husbandry and animal handling (using proper techniques)
• Ability to use computer keyboard; ability to read, write, and follow oral and written isntructions
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and/or written formats with both technical and professional staff

Registrations, Certifications and/or Licenses:

• Possession of a valid Driver's License and ability to drive ARRS/ONRPC vehicles on and off campus as required

Preferred Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in related field preferred

Experience:

• 18 months experience in the health care of experimental animals in a research setting and/or as a veterinary technician or assistant highly preferred

• Experience providing husbandry for animals (i.e., watering, feeding, changing bedding, housing, checking animal's health, etc.)

• As an on-the-job trained position, it is not required to have prior experience with laboratory animals

• Basic knowledge of the care of animals can be demonstrated through the care of pets, farm animals or 4-H animals

Registrations, Certifications and/or Licenses:

• Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician level (ALAT), or equivalent combination of training and experience desired

Additional Details:

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Daily work may involve moving on wet and/or slick surfaces, through narrow corridors between rows of cages, working outdoors, and climbing stairs to corral observation towers
• Perform work in covered and uncovered areas that are not environmentally controlled
• Work in areas where there is risk of exposure to zoonotic agents through injury, by direct contact with animals or their tissues and body fluids, or by contact with equipment contaminated by animals or their tissues and body fluids
• Work where there is risk of exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals and sanitizing chemicals
• Work in areas or in conditions that require fit testing and use of an N-95 respirator

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & EQUIPMENT USAGE:

• Possess sufficient dexterity and manual skills to safely perform basic animal husbandry and animal handling (using proper techniques)
• Able to lift and carry objects weighing up to 23 kg (50 lbs), and lift objects weighing approximately 19 kg (42 lbs) to approximately shoulder height
• Able to push and pull heavy wheeled equipment such as cage racks and loaded carts
• Able to move unassisted through various animal housing areas located in several separate buildings, indoor and outdoor
• Possess sufficient dexterity and manual skills to safely perform (or learn to perform) basic animal husbandry and animal handling (using proper techniques), and health care procedures, including but not limited to feeding and sanitization procedures, animal capture and restraint, administration of medications, and collection of body fluids and tissues

All are welcome: Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.