Animal Care Technician

Queen's University; Kingston; On-site; CAD 40,000 - 50,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading Canadian university is seeking a Veterinary Technician to maintain animal facilities and ensure compliance with health standards. This role involves working with various species, monitoring health conditions, and preparing appropriate diets. Ideal candidates will possess a relevant diploma and have experience in animal care. The position offers an opportunity to work in a diverse academic environment.

Qualifications

• Graduates of an approved Veterinary Technician/Technologist or Animal Health Technician/Technologist program are encouraged to apply.
• Experience with care and handling of various animals including rodents and primates is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Clean and maintain animal facilities to veterinary hospital standards.
• Identify and report any health issues to Veterinary Services.
• Administer prescribed treatments as instructed by veterinary staff.

Skills

Animal handling

Sanitization and sterilization

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

Veterinary Technician/Technologist program

Job description

Overview

COVID 19 On-Campus Requirements

Prior to May 1 2022 the University required all students faculty staff and visitors (including contractors) to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status and provide proof that they were fully vaccinated or had an approved accommodation to engage in in-person University activities. These requirements were suspended effective May 1 2022 but the University may reinstate them at any point.

About Queens University

Queens University is the Canadian research intensive university with a transformative student learning experience. Here the employment experience is as diverse as it is interesting. We have opportunities in multiple areas of globally recognized research faculty administration engineering & construction athletics & recreation power generation corporate shared services and many more.

We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from individuals from equity seeking groups such as women racialized / visible minorities Indigenous / Aboriginal peoples persons with a disability persons who identify in the LGBTQ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.

Come work with us!

Job Summary

Reporting to the Associate Director Animal Care Services the incumbent will work five days a week in the animal care quarters (noting the possibility of working some holidays and weekends). The incumbent will also report to Veterinary Services any animal health problems.

Graduates of an approved Veterinary Technician / Technologist or Animal Health Technician / Technologist program are encouraged to apply.

Job Description

Day to Day Responsibilities

• Adequately clean all sections of the animal facilities spotless to veterinary hospital standards including microbiology testing, sanitization and sterilization using disinfectants, detergents and operation of cage washer.
• Allocate specific species to suitable cages or pens and cross-match with facility records. Select and combine the correct components to prepare housing for a specific species (singly or as a group).
• Prepare and dispense the correct diet for specific species according to the animals' biological needs using micro to macro scales and including sterilization procedures.
• Provide bedding requirements for specific species with consideration of anatomy, physiology, and behavioral characteristics; manage sterilization, storage and transportation of bedding materials.
• Identify, handle and restrain animals using appropriate methods and equipment (collars, identification discs, tags, clips, ear punches, tattoo, forceps, cage cards, animal record cards, restraints).
• Dispose of biohazardous material safely with adherence to disease control and guidelines (protective equipment, handling, and treatment of effluents, carcasses, and other equipment).
• Recognize deviations from normal health and behavior; report abnormalities to Veterinary Services. Be aware of quarantining, conditioning and epidemiological control principles. Support quality biomedical models and research.
• Use appropriate methodology for acquiring medical samples.
• Administer prescribed treatments (by Veterinary Services) including humane euthanasia in accordance with UACC policies and SOPs.
• Participate in stock inventory control and intake examinations of animals from commercial sources; report animal health concerns to Veterinary Services.
• Assist other researchers with breeding colonies and wean animals as required (identification, pairing, weaning).
• Organize and transport animals locally as needed.
• LIFTING: handle heavy animals and equipment (e.g., bags of food, bedding, cleaning fluids, cages).
• Check and replace ventilation filters, monitor humidity and temperatures.
• Check fire and safety equipment on a monthly basis.
• Perform minor maintenance of equipment (e.g., painting, shelving, mounting hardware).
• Provide adequate space and facilities to maintain good physiological and behavioral health; balance experimental requirements with animal welfare considerations.
• Monitor environmental deviations using thermometers and hygrometers; maintain sensitive observational skills.
• Act as a resource person for users of the lab animal care facility; answer questions and provide solutions to animal technical problems.
• Handle special husbandry cases as required.

Biohazards & Sterile Environment

These skills apply to housing, maintenance and use of species including: mice, gerbils, guinea pigs, birds, rats, primates, rabbits, cats, etc., and other vertebrates and invertebrates.

To fulfill duties, knowledge, skills and techniques are required; how they are acquired and time to proficiency vary by area. Ideally, incumbents should have a full-time community college program in Veterinary Technology; minimum is a two-year program in Animal Health Care or Science Technology with one year of on-the-job training. Experience through on-the-job work is common for competency.

The duties, skills and techniques include:

• Adapt basic knowledge to on-the-job requirements.
• Understand experimental procedures involving animals.
• Proper handling of large and small animals.
• Keep knowledge up to date via reading, seminars and training.
• Effectively communicate with academic and research staff and assistants.
• Provide guidance on maintaining adequate and humane animal health to faculty and staff.
• Weekly scheduling of animal checks and reporting disease progression to Veterinarians.

Supervision & Training

• On certain schedules, the incumbent delegates responsibilities to other animal technicians.
• Train new internal staff and familiarize them with procedures.

Interaction with Others

The incumbent interacts with approximately 300 principal investigators, academic staff, research assistants, students and support staff (external to the department) and with outside parties like delivery personnel and contractors, providing guidance on animal handling, housing, transportation, and facility procedures.

Work Assignment & Oversight

Schedules are posted with a daily outline of work. General daily work is performed with a degree of self-direction; the Associate Director Animal Care Services may review completed work.

Problem Solving

Most problems follow established procedures, but the technician often prioritizes and makes exceptions in consultation with supervisors. Major health issues involve Veterinarian Services and Principal Investigators. Issues involving mechanical failures or caging are reported to the Associate Director.

Standard Procedures

The entire Animal Care staff contributes to the development of Standard Operating Procedures; daily meetings influence SOP development.

Staffing & Environment

Department size includes: 1 University Veterinarian, 1 Clinical Veterinarian, 1 Associate Director Animal Care Services, 1 Administrative Assistant, 2 Veterinary Technicians, 9 Animal Care Technicians, 13 Animal Care Helpers, 15 Casual Animal Care Technicians, and over 300 students, technicians, faculty and Principal Investigators.

The technician reports faults or deficiencies in supplies with a total estimated value of $6,000,000. Equipment ranges from specialized animal caging to cage washers, biosafety hoods, floor scrubbers, maintenance tools and drugs used in treatment of clinical conditions.

General hazards include exposure to recombinant DNA material, toxic compounds, infectious agents, electromagnetic radiations, drugs, dust and a multitude of other allergens. The role requires awareness of disease control and epidemiological safety; the incumbent must have heightened senses and the ability to handle potentially dangerous animals and biohazards, depending on research protocols. Some tasks involve radioactively labeled materials.

The incumbent must lift heavy objects, often in inclement weather, and may perform duties that require high manual dexterity.

There is a requirement to handle bad-tempered animals and manage biohazards while minimizing risk to self and others.

All applicants should have a patient, humane approach to animals and an ethical understanding of animal use in research. The project aligns with the Canadian Council on Animal Care and related standards.

Employment Equity & Accessibility

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals and is committed to employment equity, diversity and inclusion. Applications are encouraged from Black, racialized persons, Indigenous peoples, women, persons with disabilities and 2SLGBTQI communities, in accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements. Priority will be given to those legally eligible to work in Canada. The University provides accommodations in recruitment for applicants who require them; contact Human Resources for accommodation during the recruitment process.

Required Experience

Key Skills

Senior Care, Nursing Home Experience, Hospital Experience, Acute Care, Basic Math, Computer Skills, Caregiving, Vital Signs Experience, Medical Terminology, Rota Management, Mentoring, Leadership Skill

Employment Type : Temp

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1