Veterinary Associate I

About the role

For 75 years, Charles River employees have worked together to assist in the discovery, development and safe manufacture of new drug therapies. When you join our family, you will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people across the globe. Whether your background is in life sciences, finance, IT, sales or another area, your skills will play an important role in the work we perform. In return, we’ll help you build a career that you can feel passionate about.

Job Overview

Job Summary: A Veterinary Associate I is performing basic tasks and procedures within a team, and learning more intermediate tasks and procedures of the department training plan. The Veterinary Associate I is assigned to perform tasks which may include assisting veterinary staff in the documentation and management of all laboratory animal health cases, and performance of technical in-life procedures. The Veterinary Associate I is working under little supervision, and beginning to work more independently.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure good welfare and humane care for all animals worked with through gentle, positive human-animal interactions.
• Assist veterinary staff in the documentation and triage of all animal health cases noted by technical staff and/or veterinarians.
• Perform routine veterinary technical and husbandry skills which may include administration of various therapeutic measures by IV, IM, SQ, topical, oral routes, etc.; bandage/wrapping techniques; nail/hoof/teeth clipping/trimming; venipuncture techniques; vaginal swabs; proficient animal restraint techniques; and monitor critical care animals (i.e., place IVs, monitor fluids, etc.).
• Perform animal follow-up observations or new findings as required.
• Maintain appropriate medical records for each animal in accordance with study and regulatory requirements. Assist in maintaining accurate record keeping procedures for the veterinary department.
• Maintain and follow complex procedures to ensure appropriate animal health and treatment.
• Aid in providing leadership, animal health training, and guidance to other laboratory personnel.
• Aid in keeping inventory and stocking the vet rooms (i.e., drugs and supplies). Assist in organizing and maintaining the vet exam rooms.
• May be responsible for tissue sampling, routine animal manipulations, and administration of fluids or other treatments as required.
• May perform routine technical and husbandry functions (general housekeeping) on studies and must adhere to safety procedures.
• Aid in surgery and peri-surgery care (e.g., provide and monitor anesthesia, prepare surgical packs, administer supportive therapy).
• Aid in acclimation and behavioral management of animals in our care.
• Provide environmental enrichment for laboratory animals according to facility and Federal guidelines.
• Collect, document, review, and verify data on forms, or in electronic data capture systems.
• Review documentation of functions performed as part of quality control requirements.

Qualifications

• Education: Associate degree (A.A./A.S.) in a science-related field or graduate of or in process of completing a collegiate veterinary technology program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Training Activities or equivalent program in veterinary technology preferred.
• Experience: 0-2 years of relevant experience working with animals in a pre-clinical laboratory or clinical setting; experience working in a CRO with multi-species preferred.
• Qualifications: Non-licensed/Non-certified candidates will be encouraged to become licensed/certified. AALAS (ALAT) certification desired. LVT license or CVT/RVT certification preferred.
• Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Knowledge of English. Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities to achieve goals. Computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite), commensurate with essential functions, including the ability to learn a validated system. Ability to ensure that a safe working environment is maintained by observing all safety procedures and working methods by making proper use of protective clothing and equipment, and by reading, understanding, and following all safety documents issued or notified of. Ability to ensure the integrity of the studies and fulfill the regulatory agencies requirements by performing the activities according to the Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Business Operating Procedures (BOP) and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) rules. Ability to work extended hours beyond normal work schedule to include, but not limited to evenings, weekends, extended shifts, and/or extra shifts, sometimes on short notice. Ability to work under specific time constraints.
• Other: Authorization to work in the United States without a sponsor visa, now or in the future.

Physical Demands

• Lift, move, manipulate, and/or hold heavy objects up to and including 50 pounds; this includes work materials, equipment, and/or animals.
• Frequent firm holding species while utilizing fine motor skills.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Regularly work in a research environment, which requires use of sharp objects, working around mechanical parts, working with or near known or unknown toxic or caustic chemicals and/or biological hazards, exposure to fumes and airborne particles, working at noise levels ranging from moderate to loud.
• Work in an environment that involves exposure to live animals with risk of exposure to allergens, zoonotic disease, and biohazards.
• Work in an environment that involves exposure to noise levels ranging from low to high depending upon the species housed.

About Safety Assessment

Charles River is committed to helping our partners expedite their preclinical drug development with exceptional safety assessment services, state-of-the-art facilities and expert regulatory guidance. From individual specialty toxicology and IND enabling studies to tailored packages and total laboratory support, our deeply experienced team can design and execute programs that anticipate challenges and avoid roadblocks for a smooth, efficient journey to market. Each year approximately 300 investigational new drug (IND) programs are conducted in our Safety Assessment facilities.

About Charles River

Charles River is an early-stage contract research organization (CRO). We have built upon our foundation of laboratory animal medicine and science to develop a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services, both Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non-GLP, to support clients from target identification through preclinical development. Charles River also provides a suite of products and services to support our clients’ clinical laboratory testing needs and manufacturing activities. Utilizing this broad portfolio of products and services enables our clients to create a more flexible drug development model, which reduces their costs, enhances their productivity and effectiveness to increase speed to market.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Charles River is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, family status, pregnancy, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.