Animal Resources Technologist (HARS) - Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (North Campus)

The Veterinary Medicine and Surgery department exists to serve MD Anderson research programs. Our primary mission is to provide the best possible veterinary care, facilities and services in support of the institutional animal care and use program, in keeping with all applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) accreditation standards.

Veterinary Medicine & Surgery

The ideal candidate will have clinical animal care and animal care experience gained in a university animal research setting.

KEY FUNCTIONS

Health Rounds
  • Perform daily health monitoring inspections of assigned area.
  • Monitor for cages with indicators, such as color-coded cards, of various health related problems.
  • Visually inspect animals for signs of health related or other problems.
  • Make preliminary diagnosis of health issues and initiate treatment based on veterinarian approved algorithms.
  • Report unusual or abnormal findings to the Clinical Veterinarian.
  • Maintain treatment records in the appropriate electronic system.
  • Sends e-mails to investigator staff reporting emergency euthanasia and other selected emergency conditions.
  • Enters the treatment charges into appropriate electronic system.
  • Keeps various departmental and section calendars up to date.
  • Follows standards for recording use of controlled substances.

Quality Assurance and Compliance
  • Performs quarterly sentinel monitoring of animal housing areas.
  • Submits all requested samples and appropriate submission documentation to the laboratory.
  • Performs monthly quality assurance health checks and records findings in spreadsheet.
  • Participate in post-approval monitoring including, but not limited to, surgical technique verification, procedure observation, lab visits, and routine communications with research staff regarding protocol issues.

Research Support and Training
  • Assist in and perform minor surgical procedures using appropriate instruments and aseptic technique.
  • Educate researchers in appropriate use of isoflurane, oxygen, analgesic use, and aseptic technique.
  • May provide pre-, peri- and post-operative care including, but not limited to shaving and skin preparation, animal transport, administration of anesthesia and analgesia, bandaging, or any other treatment as directed by the veterinarian.
  • Provide technical assistance support for research staff including, but not limited to, phlebotomy, parenteral and oral administration of materials, animal restraint, anesthesia, tissue collection, etc.
  • Records assistance procedures and enters in appropriate electronic system for billing.
  • Participates in training research staff on animal handling and technical skills.
  • Must develop and maintain working knowledge of, and proficiency in, techniques to advise investigators in best practices and be available to perform various procedures on mice, rats, and non-rodent species.
  • Clean, prepare, pack, and sterilize surgical instruments/equipment.
  • Maintain surgical instruments in proper working order.

Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

Required: Associate's degree in Veterinary Technology.

Preferred: Bachelor's degree Biomedical or Animal Science.

EXPERIENCE

Required: No experience. May substitute required education with experience on a one to one basis with an additional two years of animal care experience to include one year in a lead capacity.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION

Required: Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) within 180 days of eligibility. Any employee hired or rehired after September 1, 2012 must possess required certification.

Preferred: Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT).

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html.

Additional Information
  • Requisition ID: 172427
  • Employment Status: Full-Time
  • Employee Status: Regular
  • Work Week: Days
  • Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 51,000
  • Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 61,000
  • Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 71,500
  • FLSA: non-exempt and eligible for overtime pay
  • Fund Type: Soft
  • Work Location: Onsite
  • Pivotal Position: Yes
  • Referral Bonus Available?: No
  • Relocation Assistance Available?: Yes
  • Science Jobs: No

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