Animal Health Technician Surgical - Certified Veterinary Technician

Overview

Under the direction of program veterinarians and supervisors, serve on a team who maintains and promotes the health and well-being of research animals and support research programs by providing advanced veterinary technical services, comprehensive animal husbandry, and facility support services to facilitate successful achievement of the BRC’s mission in alignment with the BRC’s vision and values and in a manner consistent with established policies, procedures, and regulations.

Train and mentor less experienced team members and other personnel to assist in their mastery of essential skills and knowledge and facilitate efficient program operations and successful research. Provide training and/or intermediate assistance to facilitate efficient operation, veterinary service activities, quality assurance or other areas of operation.

• Perform observations of animals and their environment to assess their health status, detect abnormal conditions, and determine appropriate interventions in consultation with program veterinarians. Respond to animal health reports submitted by BRC staff and research personnel. Monitor active health cases, assess clinical progress, and determine additional interventions in consultation with program veterinarians. Document and report findings consistent with established procedures. Administer prescribed treatments and other interventions, which may include animal euthanasia.
  
  Maintain relevant records.
• Under limited supervision, provide advanced veterinary technical support for a wide variety of species undergoing surgical and non-surgical procedures requiring anesthesia. Support includes, but is not limited to, anesthesia induction, placement of endotracheal tubes, placement of indwelling catheters, anesthesia maintenance, operation anesthesia and physiologic monitoring equipment, aseptic surgical support, and pre- and post-procedural care. Direct the activities of AHT Is or IIs who are assisting in these activities.
  
  Provide other technical support to staff veterinarians and researchers as required.
• Collect biological samples, including blood, urine, and feces, from a wide variety of species. Assist in performing necropsies and collecting post-mortem tissue specimens. Process samples for in-house testing or submission to external diagnostic laboratory. Perform diagnostic tests such as complete blood counts, urinalysis, and fecal analysis. Operate radiographic equipment and prepare images for interpretation by a veterinarian.
• Perform daily tasks related to assigned functions of the veterinary clinical medicine program, including but not limited to quality assurance; drug and supply inventory; prescription drug dispensing, and maintaining and sanitizing surgical and clinical support spaces.
• Provide ongoing feedback to supervisor regarding personnel and operational performance. Resolve routine issues under supervisor guidance and provide coverage on an as needed basis for supervisor.
• Maintain animal medical and surgical records to ensure compliance with Animal Welfare Regulations (9
  
  CFR), other applicable Federal regulations/policies, and institutional policy.
• Assist in maintaining disease surveillance and animal quarantine programs, including collection of environmental samples for disease surveillance and perform tasks for the quarantine and conditioning for a variety of species.
• In collaboration with BRC Training Staff, train BRC and investigative staff and facilitate BRC sponsored workshops in a variety of proper animal handling and procedure techniques such as animal handling and restraint, dosing, and sample collection.
• Accurately maintain drug, equipment and supply inventories in the clinical laboratory, surgical suite, and other rooms as directed.
• Cross-train to work in all areas of the facility and provide coverage on an as needed basis for supervisor.
• Handle and restrain animals by using appropriate techniques to allow for the care and research to be performed in a safe and humane manner. Receive and transport animals using appropriate methods. Provide assistance during special procedures by acting under the direction of others to…