Veterinary Research/Health Technician 2

About the role

The Oregon National Primate Center (ONPRC) is located 12 miles west of the OHSU main campus, situated on 162 acres of land featuring forested areas, research and administration buildings, indoor and outdoor animal housing, and a 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.

Responsibilities

• Performs technical skills and procedures in support of a variety of clinical and investigative needs including but not limited to coordinated dental prophylaxis.
• Communicates and interacts with scientific staff to accomplish their needs.
• Manages and coordinates large volume of tasks to meet research needs such as physical exams.
• Evaluates new and ongoing clinical cases.
• Provides basic to complex treatments within clinical guidelines or as determined by the Attending Veterinarian or their designee. Treatments include but are not limited to monitoring anesthesia, bandage application, and mastitis treatment.
• Establishes treatment plans for routine cases like IV fluid therapy.
• Determines which cases need immediate care, and which can be managed through routine practices.
• Prioritizes animal health assessment based on reported clinical condition (i.e. clinical daily observation sheets).
• Provides husbandry support for research animals.
• General Maintenance: Cleans and sanitizes animal care areas and equipment and operates mechanical washing equipment. Restocks clinical supplies. Maintains sterility of surgical supplies and instruments through proper storage and rotation. Cleans and disinfects minor surgical and clinical supplies.
• Observation and Records: Checks animals daily for signs of abnormal behavior, illness, or injury. Records information necessary to support the research protocols and animal health. Reports animal health issues or observed findings per standard animal health notification processes. Records completion of daily required area-level care activities for work performed.
• Miscellaneous: Drive vehicles around the campus. Assists in loading and unloading animals. Animal capture and care. Unloads and stores feed. Assists in training both new and incumbent department employees and others. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED.
• Two years of experience caring for animals in a research setting and certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at the Assistant Lab Animal Technician level (ALAT) or ability to obtain certification following 12 months of employment.
• OR One year of experience caring for animals in a research setting and certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at the Lab Animal Technician level (LAT) or ability to obtain certification following 12 months of employment.
• OR An equivalent combination of training, certification, and experience.
• Valid Driver's License.

Qualifications

• Professional and service-oriented attitude.
• Interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Ability to consistently interact with research investigative staff, supervisors and co-workers in a positive and constructive manner.
• Ability to use proper techniques to perform standard clinical procedures.
• Dexterity and manual skills.
• Ability to use the computer keyboard to type.
• Ability to read, write, and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and/or written formats with both technical and professional staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field.
• Three years of experience in the healthcare of research animals.
• Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at the Lab Animal Technician level (LAT).
• Experience as a veterinary technician or assistant.
• Experience with handling and administering medications through various routes.
• Pharmaceutical drug and controlled drug knowledge.
• Knowledge of standardized medical terminology and nomenclature.
• Knowledgeable in clinical inventory, supplies, and equipment.
• Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT).

Additional Details

• Training schedule is typically 7:30-4:00pm, Monday-Friday.
• Regular work schedule is 4 weekdays and one weekend shift. Shift length is 8 hours beginning at either 7:30am or 12:30pm with the ability to work overtime as needed.
• Weekly work schedules established by DCM managerial staff, including voluntary and involuntary weekend and holiday work schedules.
• Ability to work overtime as needed.

Schedule

• Working Conditions: Requires the ability to move unassisted through various animal housing areas located in several separate buildings, indoor and outdoor, (including covered areas that are not environmentally controlled), in order to make animal observations, perform animal care tasks, handle, move, or restrain animals, collect samples, administer treatments, and perform other procedures.
• Physical Demands: Requires: ability to drive DCM vehicles on and off campus as required. Ability to walk and stand for continuous hours a day. Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 23 kg (50lbs). Ability to lift objects weighing approximately 19 kg (42lbs) to approximately shoulder height. Ability to push and pull heavy wheeled equipment such as cage racks and loaded carts. Ability to learn and use computerized medical programs to perform data input and communication.

Benefits

• Healthcare for full-time employees covered 100% and 88% for dependents.
• $50K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee.
• Two separate above market pension plans to choose from.
• Vacation - up to 200 hours per year dependent on length of service.
• Sick Leave - up to 96 hours per year.
• 9 paid holidays per year.
• Substantial Tri-Met and C-Tran discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Childcare service discounts.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Employee discounts to local and national businesses.

Why apply to OHSU?

• We are Oregon's only public academic health center.
• In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research.
• We also train the next generation of health care professionals.
• As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington.
• All are welcome.
• OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations.
• We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply.
• To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.edu.