Veterinary and Animal Program - Associate

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.

We are seeking an experienced Laboratory Animal Technician to join our Insourcing Solutions team, located in Frederick, MD.

As the Laboratory Animal Technician
, you will perform standard veterinary technical support for the NIAID Integrated Research Facility. Maintain performance levels consistent with and according to company standards at The National Institutes of Health.

• Reviews, comprehends and complies with all SOPs and quality assurance standards pertaining to specific areas. Cares for and maintains laboratory animals in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, as well as, NIH policies and Guidelines and other pertinent regulations and policies.
• Works closely with Clinical Veterinarian(s) and Research Support Specialist(s) to perform daily health assessments, perform experimental manipulations and provide animal treatments as instructed by Clinical Veterinarian(s).
• Performs technical functions required by research protocols utilizing rodents and nonhuman primates in infectious disease research.
• Maintain individual health records for nonhuman primates and maintain accurate records of animal importations, health observations, and housing or support areas as required by Institute and facility.
• Communicating with veterinary support staff, facility veterinarian(s), investigators and other staff members regarding the health of animals and experimental manipulations.
• Performs daily colony health examinations and clinical observations of sick animals prior to reporting adverse findings to Clinical Veterinarian(s) and Research Support Specialists.
• Provides technical support (e.g. animal handling and restraint, tail vein injections, collecting blood and other samples, perform injections, treatments, surgical preparation and post-operative observations and assist with research procedures as directed).
• Familiarity with and the ability to use various forms of anesthetics and their means of application, including gas and injectable anesthetics.
• Assist with various imaging modalities (e.g. CT/PET, CT/SPECT, MRI and XRAY) by providing patient monitoring and experimental manipulations.
• Actively interacts with facility veterinarian(s) and investigators as required to solve customer requests, inquiries, and complaints and to provide technical assistance.
• Assists with training animal facility staff in husbandry and technical procedures.
• Performs animal husbandry - which can include feed, watering, and cleaning cages as required. Provide environmental enrichment and/or behavioral assessments.
• Prepares and submits written reports, charts, logs and inventories as requested by management.
• Operates equipment and uses supplies according to safety guidelines; performs general housekeeping and adheres to safety procedures. Complies with safety policies and procedures and MSDS guidelines, including those related to biohazards and radioactive substances.
• Assists with the receipt, stocking and maintenance of supply inventories.
• Maintains required attendance level and adheres to work schedule in accordance with required staffing levels in order to ensure that assigned duties are completed.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Education: High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required. Possession of an Associate of Arts degree in Veterinary Technology or equivalent college level program is desired.

Experience: Three years’ experience in a laboratory animal facility, with experience relevant animal care, handling and technical experience required.

Certification/Licensure: AALAS certification at the Laboratory Animal Technician level (LAT) required.

Knowl…