Lead Animal Care Tech

Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) operates at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care. It is a community where expertise is valued, knowledge is expanded, and abilities are challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and uniqueness is celebrated.

About the Role

Coordinates and leads the daily husbandry of the animal facility and staff, ensuring compliance with existing regulations. Provides new and continuing training of personnel.

Responsibilities

• Supervises and participates in the cleaning and maintenance of animal quarters.
• Supervises and provides routine care of research animals.
• Receives animals, performs daily checks for animal health and welfare, and ensures adequate supply levels in animal quarters.
• Monitors and reports on environmental room and housing conditions.
• Recognizes and reports clinical abnormalities and/or irregularities in lab animals.
• Leads in knowing the variations among laboratory animals and modes of disease control.
• Oversees and performs euthanization of all species according to established regulations.
• Maintains accurate and prompt records in accordance with outlined procedures.
• Reports noncompliance, initiates resolution process, and ensures completion.
• Trains staff and functions as a resource for operational and husbandry questions and minor problems, offering guidance for improving performance.
• Ensures compliance with operating and regulatory requirements related to care of laboratory animals.

Skills

• Laboratory Animal Diseases (Novice): Knowledge of and experience with laboratory animal diseases, outbreaks, methods of spread, and methods of limiting disease.
• Judgement and Decision-Making (Advanced): Able to make decisions effectively and accurately in an environment which may be fast-paced or changing. Considers a wide range of alternatives before making a decision.
• Animal Care Knowledge (Advanced): Knowledgeable on the needs, treatment, and husbandry for different animal species. Able to ensure their welfare, nutrition, and safety.
• Regulatory Compliance (Advanced): Demonstrates knowledge of the appropriate rules and regulations and applies them in difficult, stressful, and complex situations. Able to interpret and explain rules and regulations that are ambiguous or unclear.
• Planning (Advanced): Plans work to complete projects on time. Competently handles multiple assignments simultaneously. Able to be flexible to meet changing customer needs with minimal disruption and loss of productivity.
• Customer Service (Advanced): A continuing focus on the needs and requirements of customers, anticipating their needs, remaining sensitive to customers while performing services for them, and responsive to customer needs.
• Communication (Advanced): Clearly, effectively, and respectfully communicates to employees or customers.

Core Accountabilities

• Organizational Impact: Independently performs non-routine tasks that significantly impact team and other related teams.
• Problem Solving/Complexity of Work: Gathers and analyzes data to solve problems that arise with little or no precedent.
• Breadth of Knowledge: Applies advanced job knowledge and has developed a breadth of skills in other areas.
• Team Interaction: Serves as a lead for the team by providing expertise and guidance to team members.

Qualifications

• Experience Level: 4 years of relevant work experience.
• Education: Bachelor's degree.

Benefits

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement, and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.