ULAR Senior Veterinary Technician/Veterinary Anesthesia Technician Specialist

University of Pennsylvania is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. As the largest private employer in Philadelphia, Penn offers a unique working environment on a beautiful urban campus with access to diverse educational, cultural, and recreational activities.

About the Role

Provide specialized veterinary clinical care to all species housed in ULAR-managed facilities. This position is designated as "essential" and requires working during campus closures, emergencies, or peak activity periods, including overtime, weekends, and holidays on a rotating basis.

Responsibilities

• Provide anesthesia, including IV catheter placement, intubation, evaluation of anesthetic depth, medication administration, and use of physiologic monitors.
• Utilize knowledge of pharmacology and drug calculations; maintain anesthesia records.
• Consult with clinical veterinary staff and laboratory personnel on treatment and anesthesia options.
• Assist with aseptic surgery, ensuring sterile conditions are maintained during procedures.
• Operate sterilization equipment and prepare surgical instrument packs; maintain surgical facilities according to standard operating procedures.
• Triage and assess animal health; provide immediate care to emergency cases.
• Administer medications via oral, topical, and injectable routes; maintain animal health records.
• Perform colony inventory and quarantine of newly arrived animals.
• Collect specimens (e.g., blood, feces) and perform diagnostic testing, such as parasite checks and identification.
• Prepare bills for treatments and medications; maintain a daily treatment roster of ongoing cases using a computer.
• Inventory, stock, and maintain facilities involved in clinical care.
• Ensure investigator adherence to IACUC protocols and provide necessary documentation.
• Perform weekly satellite housing wellness checks in rodent facilities.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited animal health technology program or equivalent, with 1–3 years of experience working with animals in a research setting, primarily in animal anesthesia techniques, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• AALAS certification at the Laboratory Animal Technologist level or a demonstrated commitment to attaining that certification within the time frame established by AALAS.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Computer skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Flexibility to work varied schedules, including 10 AM–7 PM or 7:30 AM–4:30 PM, Monday–Friday, with rotating holiday, weekend, and on-call coverage.

Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance; flexible spending accounts for eligible health and dependent care expenses.
• Tuition Assistance: Exceptional tuition benefits for employees, spouses, and dependent children at Penn and other institutions.
• Retirement Plans: Generous pre-tax or Roth retirement savings options with a variety of investment choices through TIAA and Vanguard.
• Time Away from Work: Substantial paid time off for vacations, personal affairs, illness, or injury.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: Coverage for long-term care services at home, in the community, or in a nursing facility (proof of good health not required for new hires).
• Wellness and Work-Life Resources: Programs and resources to support health, family, and work-life balance.
• Professional and Personal Development: Access to resources for advancing personal and professional growth.
• University Resources: Access to libraries, athletic facilities, arboretum, art galleries, museums, and cultural/recreational activities (many free or discounted for employees and families).
• Discounts and Special Services: Savings on arts, entertainment, transportation, mortgages, cellular plans, movie tickets, theme parks, and new cars from Ford and General Motors.
• Flexible Work Hours: Creative approaches to work schedules, locations, and job structures to promote work-life balance.
• Penn Home Ownership Services: Forgivable loans for eligible employees buying a home or residing in West Philadelphia (for closing costs or home improvements).
• Adoption Assistance: Reimbursement for qualified expenses related to the legal adoption of an eligible child (up to two adoptions per household).

Pay

$17.98 - $25.00 hourly, based on qualifications, experience, skills, education, internal factors, and market conditions.

Schedule

• Full-time, 5 days per week (typically Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–4:30 PM for anesthesia role).
• Rotating holiday, weekend, and on-call coverage required.
• Essential personnel status: expected to work during campus closures, emergencies, or peak activity periods, including overtime.