Research Veterinary Assistant (VA) I

About the role

As a Research Veterinary Assistant I, you will monitor and care for the health and well-being of research animals while supporting daily operations within the research environment. In this role, you will assist research laboratories by preparing and supporting animal studies, conducting health screenings and assessments, maintaining animal health reports, providing supportive care when needed, and communicating with research teams regarding animal health concerns or study-related issues. Your work will contribute to foundational pre-clinical research that advances scientific discovery and helps improve patient care around the world.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily veterinary service room rounds by examining rodents and aquatic animals, looking for health or well-being concerns and communicate with a veterinarian and/or veterinary technician regarding findings.
• Monitor and perform rodent colony management and ensure compliance with facility guidelines and SOPs.
• Document and communicate actions taken to support animal welfare and research.
• Submit special service charges for services provided.
• Ensure that areas used for technical procedures are well maintained and adequately supplied.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent and one year of experience with demonstrated competence working with animals within a research lab and/or working with animals
• OR Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Ability to understand and follow detailed scientific or medical instructions given by investigators and/or veterinarians
• Flexibility to ensure all animal care responsibilities are completed, supporting a 7-day-per-week, 365-day-per-year operation that may include weekends and holidays

Preferred qualifications

• Animal handling experience or comfortable with handling animals
• Basic computer skills

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and transport equipment, supplies and/or animals weighing up to 75 pounds using carts with casters.
• Ability to understand and follow detailed scientific or medical instructions given by investigators and/or veterinarians
• Capable of tolerating a significant amount of standing, bending and walking.
• May be required to work with biological, chemical and radiation hazards after proper training.

Benefits

• We offer the following choices to cover your health, dental and vision care as well as life insurance.
• Health Plan Options – You have the choice between two comprehensive Cleveland Clinic Employee Health Plan options: EHP and EHP Plus. Both plans are administered by Aetna and feature minimal copays for in-network care. Although the benefit designs of EHP and EHP Plus are identical, they differ in their provider network size, with EHP offering a narrow network and EHP Plus providing access to the wide Aetna Open Access Select network. Both plans include access to Cleveland Clinic providers.
• Dental Care – Four plan options administered by Cigna are available.
• Vision Care – Two plan options administered by EyeMed are available.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) – Eligible caregivers receive Paid Time Off (PTO) that can be allotted toward vacation, holidays, sick time, etc.
• Caregiver discounts – We offer discounted rates for auto, home and pet insurance, identify theft protection and more.
• Adoption assistance – We provide financial assistance of up to $5,000/per child ($10,000 maximum lifetime benefit) for caregivers who choose to legally adopt a child.
• Employee Assistance Program – The Program provides free, confidential short-term counseling for caregivers and their families, whether for relationships or legal challenges.
• Employee Hardship Fund – This fund provides aid for caregivers experiencing unexpected financial difficulties.
• Paid maternity and parental leave – You will enjoy up to eight consecutive weeks for maternal care after the birth of your child to bond with your baby and up to four weeks for parental care.