Veterinary Surgical Technician

Department Overview

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

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

The Veterinary Surgical Technician 2 (VST2) will perform anesthesia for the entire spectrum of animal species utilized at the ONPRC, using a wide variety of anesthesia modalities and techniques. Will also assist with surgery and independently perform some surgical procedures, to be determined by the level of technical skill required. Will also perform a diverse array of surgical support activities, including assisting surgeons, monitoring pre- and post-operative care, and provision of clinical care for research animals.

These activities are essential to support veterinary care and humane research use of laboratory animals. Work done by the VST2 impacts teaching and biomedical research commitments requiring surgical and critical care support as a part of their investigative projects.

• Performs animal anesthesia independently of supervision during major and minor surgical procedures.
• Monitors postoperative recovery and care, including creation of surgical records.
• Initiates and maintains computerized surgical records.
• Performs general nursing functions in the surgical suite, post-operative area, or animal treatment facility to include taking and recording of vital signs, performing all aspects of pre-operative preparation of animals, and post-operative recovery.
• Performs and assists with surgical procedures of varying complexity.
• Performs both flexible and rigid endoscopic procedures, to include bronchoalveolar lavage, gastroscopy, duodenoscopy, laparoscopic ovarian manipulations and embryo transfers.
• Performs as the circulating technician during surgical procedures.
• Handles and prepares surgical specimens (blood or tissue samples) for forwarding to the laboratory.
• Prepares drugs and solutions for administration.
• Records physiologic data and completes surgical operation reports.
• Monitors and reports on stock levels of the various surgical supplies necessary to conduct the animal care and research operations. Prepares purchase requests for supplies and equipment, researches prices, sources, and specifications as necessary.
• Performs postoperative health checks and enters information into electronic health record data base, collect tissue samples, and administers treatments.
• Assists with maintaining computerized work schedules.
• Cleans and disinfects surgical supplies and instrumentation by an appropriate means for the material being cleaned. Assembles surgical instrument sets and supplies according to established guidelines or as directed.
• Cleans surgical suites, hallways, prep areas, and central supply in accordance with published guidelines or as directed.
• Assists with training of staff members (animal care, and investigative) regarding anesthesia, aseptic technique, surgical and technical procedures, and postoperative monitoring.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Requires 5 years of experience caring for animals in a veterinary hospital or laboratory animal facility including 2 years in a surgical setting and state certification through the Veterinary Medical Examining Board as a Veterinary Technician and certification or ability obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at the Laboratory Animal Technician level or equivalent combination of experience and training.

• Independent competence to administer and maintain anesthesia for induction, intubations, maintenance and recovery of patients.
• Demonstrated experience operating a variety of surgical equipment…