Animal Health Technician

Northwestern University; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 33,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition benefits

Flexible work arrangements

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

Northwestern University in Chicago, IL seeks a Veterinary Technician to perform daily health monitoring, clinical care, surgical support and enrichment for laboratory animals. You will work on both Chicago and Evanston campuses as coverage needs dictate, with duties including rounds, anesthesia monitoring, colony health, and training staff.

Minimum qualifications include AVMA-accredited training or a 4-year degree in a related field, plus one year of relevant experience.

Qualifications

• College level curriculum in veterinary technology with AVMA accreditation or a 4 year degree in a related field.
• One year experience as veterinary assistant or technician in a facility or lab.
• Able to type and use spreadsheet, word processing and e-mail software.

Responsibilities

• Performs daily rounds under supervision to triage health reports and monitor clinical cases.
• Assists with surgical procedures, prepares sterile packs and monitors anesthesia recovery.
• Provides environmental enrichment and maintains health and enrichment logs.
• Assists with rodent colony health monitoring and sentinel shipments.
• Dispenses drugs and performs sample submissions for testing as directed.
• Participates in training of staff and interns in asepsis and restraint.

Skills

Veterinary technology

Typing

Excel

Word processing

Email tools

Education

AVMA-accredited program in veterinary technology

Bachelor's degree in animal science/biology/veterinary science

Tools

Spreadsheet

Word processing

Email software

Job description

Department:

Ctr for Comparative Medicine

Salary/Grade:

NEX/13

Job Summary

Performs daily health monitoring, clinical care, surgical support and enrichment for laboratory animals.

Must be able to lift 20 to 25 lbs. Must be able to work a shift schedule that includes working both Saturdays and Sundays, possibly a staggered work schedule, occasional overtime and holidays as required. Must be able to read, write and comprehend English in order to read signage and to read and update animal health records. Work space may be small, non-private, and close to other work stations where noise level can be high. This Position requires the individual to be available to work on either the Chicago and Evanston campuses as coverage needs dictate.

Must be enrolled in the university’s occupational health program which entails filling out a health questionnaire. The health questionnaire is submitted to the university’s occupational health provider for review. Must be willing to undergo job related background check.

Specific Responsibilities

Clinical Rounds

• Performs daily rounds under the direct supervision of the clinical veterinarians or Lead Animal Health Technicians to triage new animal health reports and monitor ongoing clinical cases. Communicates with veterinary staff and laboratory personnel to notify and update regarding the status of clinical cases. Performs physical examinations and treatments as deemed necessary by the clinical veterinarians.

Surgical Support

• Assists the clinical veterinarians or other qualified individuals with surgical procedures. Prepares sterile instrument packs and prepares surgical suite animals for aseptic surgery. Under the direction of the clinical veterinarians, AHT Sr or Lead, administers anesthetic agents, intravenous fluids and monitors anesthesia and post-surgical recovery.

Environmental Enrichment

• Provides environmental and social enrichment to the laboratory animals. Maintains and monitors various reports and records including animal health records, activity reports and enrichment logs.

Colony Health/Sentinel Program

• Assists with the rodent colony health monitoring program (Sentinel Program) and incoming rodent quarantine program. Responsibilities include scheduling of quarterly and quarantine sentinel shipments with the diagnostic laboratory, ordering of replacement sentinels and review of the testing results.

Drugs, Supplies and Testing

• Dispenses non-controlled drugs and supplies from the CCM pharmacy to laboratory personnel. Performs periodic inventories of drugs, supplies, assay kits and instruments. Prepares and submits animals or specimens (blood, tissue, feces) for testing at diagnostic laboratories as determined necessary by the clinical veterinarians.

Teaching/Training

• Participates in the training of animal care staff, laboratory personnel and interns in proper animal restraint, barrier technique and asepsis. Participates in various staff meetings, staff training and continuing professional education.

Regulatory

• Maintains and monitors various reports and records including animal health records, activity reports and enrichment logs. Remains current with all regulations pertaining to laboratory animals including the Guide, Animal Welfare Act, etc. Becomes familiar with relevant Animal Study Protocols and meets with investigators and laboratory personnel to discuss research needs and animal health concerns.

Miscellaneous

Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Successful completion of a college level curriculum in veterinary technology requiring a minimum of two years of full time academic study in a program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association or completion of a 4 year degree in animal science, biology, veterinary science, zoology or related field.
• One year of experience as a veterinary assistant or technician in a veterinary medical facility, research facility or diagnostic laboratory or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience where the required knowledge, skills and abilities are acquired.
• Must be able to type and have working knowledge of spreadsheet, word processing and e-mail software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current state board licensure in veterinary technology in at least one state.
• Experience in animal research.
• Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at the ALAT level.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $24.00-$27.75 per hour. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Benefits

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life And Wellness

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.