Veterinary Technician, Animal Care

University of Ottawa; Calgary; On-site; CAD 63,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Ottawa is seeking a Veterinary Technician to deliver veterinary care and preventive services across multiple animal care facilities on main campus.

The role requires at least two years of relevant experience, a CVMA-recognized diploma, and strong communication skills in English and French. CALAS certification is desirable; after-hours work and safety compliance are part of the job.

Qualifications

• Diploma from a CVMA recognized veterinary technician program.
• Minimum of two years of relevant experience.
• Knowledge of laboratory animal care and CALAS/CVMA standards is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide first-line veterinary care and initiate treatment in consultation with a veterinarian.
• Perform preventive medicine, vaccinations, and routine sample collection as directed.
• Support in vivo studies and scientific collaboration with researchers.
• Maintain accurate animal health records and ensure compliance with CCAC and policy standards.

Skills

Bilingualism

Communication

Team player

Education

CVMA‑recognized veterinary technician diploma

Bachelor of Science desirable

CALAS certification desirable

Job description

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Posting Reason: Replacement of a temporary position

Job Type: Employee

Anticipated Duration in Months (for contracts and temporary assignments): 24

Job Family: Laboratory Support

# of Open Positions: 1

Faculty/Service - Department: Animal Care and Veterinary Service

Campus: Main Campus

Union Affiliation: N/A

Date Posted (YYYY/MM/DD): 2026/10/05

Applications must be received BEFORE (YYYY/MM/DD): 2026/10/16

Hours per week: 35

Salary Grade: Non-Union Grade NC4 - 35 hrs

Salary Range: $63,155.00 - $78,944.00

Position Purpose

Reporting to the Associate-Supervisor, Animal Care Operations, the incumbent participates in the delivery of the program of veterinary care under the general supervision of a veterinarian in order to maintain the Animal Care and Veterinary Service's (ACVS) high standards of animal care and welfare and regulatory compliance. Responsibilities will include daily clinical and preventive veterinary care, anesthetic and surgical procedures, and biological specimen collection, for a variety of laboratory animal species.

In this role, your responsibilities will include:

• Provision of Veterinary Care: First line evaluation of veterinary clinical cases at various uOttawa animal facilities.Initiate/implement treatment in consultation with veterinarian. Provide primary care of animals with health issues by frontline clinical response, assessment and administration of treatment plan. Monitor treatment and progress and provide feedback to the veterinarian and/or Animal Care Committee and research staff.
• Preventive veterinary medicine: Assisting with physical examinations, vaccinations, and clinical assessments. Perform routine sample collection procedures such as blood collection, and urine/fecal collection as directed by an ACVS Veterinarian. Responsible for initiation and maintenance of accurate and complete animal clinical case records, document retention and archiving.
• Veterinary Technical Support and Scientific Collaboration: Using veterinary technical skills and expertise, support the advancement of animal based research, by providing in vivo study technical support to investigators including but not limited to, surgical animal model development, recording and/or tabulating of experimental protocol data, biological sample collection, and administration of chemical, biological or radioisotope products that may be categorized as hazardous or biohazardous. Assist research groups with, or responsible for rodent colony breeding and management
• Adhere to all regulatory requirements and guidelines, notably the Animals for Research Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A-27 (the Act), and the standards of the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC), in addition to the University of Ottawa Policy 31 (the Policy) and other uOttawa policies and procedures. Adhere to all safety regulations (Ontario Provincial Ministry of Labour), University of Ottawa safety program initiatives and all pertinent safety guidelines (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) and CCAC standards).

What you will bring:

• A diploma from a CVMA (Canadian Veterinary Medical Association) recognized (or equivalent) Diploma from a Veterinary Technical program.
• Minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience.
• Bachelor of Science, or a post-secondary degree from a relevant discipline is desirable.
• Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Science (CALAS) certification is desirable
• Knowledge of laboratory animal species, specifically knowledge allowing for the recognition of disease, pain and distress, and of related management techniques.
• Knowledge of the basic principles of laboratory animal medicine, and experience in applying veterinary technical procedures and methods.
• Experience in private practice or industry, with proven ability to perform well both independently and as a team member.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including writing skills to help draft internal standard operating procedures and policies.
• Ability to remain friendly yet objective in a team environment despite potentially conflicting views, priorities and interpersonal styles.
• Willingness and ability to work after hours, evenings, weekends and statutory holidays as assigned.
• Willingness to provide proof of vaccination history as per standard provincial protocols.
• Willingness and ability to work with a respirator (e.g. PAPR).
• Ability to multitask and to prioritize in an often challenging, quickly changing and time sensitive environment.
• Bilingualism - French and English (spoken and written).

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Key Competencies at uOttawa:

Here are the required competencies for all or our employees at uOttawa:

• Planning: Organize in time a series of actions or events in order to realize an objective or a project. Plan and organize own work and priorities in regular daily activities.
• Initiative: Demonstrate creativity and initiative to suggest improvements and encourage positive results. Is proactive and self-starting. Show availabili