Lab Animal Veterinary Tech 1

Clayton State University; Georgia; On-site; USD 26,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid holidays

Job summary

Augusta University is seeking a Research Laboratory Animal Veterinary Technician to assist veterinarians in the Division of Laboratory Animal Services, ensuring proper and humane care of laboratory animals. You will support surgical techniques, maintain health records, and help with breeding management under supervision.

The role requires veterinary technician experience or an associate degree in animal science, with preferred bachelor’s level education.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Animal Science or equivalent with one year of veterinary technician experience OR High School diploma with two years as a private practice veterinary technician or one year as a laboratory animal medicine veterinary technician.
• Bachelor's degree in life sciences is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Observes and examines experimental animals and reports health issues to veterinary staff.
• Performs diagnostic procedures, collects samples, and prepares shipments when needed.
• Maintains animal health records and manages drug inventory and related records.
• Assists in anesthesia, surgery, and animal care under Veterinarians' direction.
• Coordinates surgical activity and supports training of staff and students.
• Performs animal husbandry, facility sanitation, and safety procedures.
• Available for occasional weekends, on-call, and overtime to support animal care responsibilities.

Skills

Observation

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Education

Associate's degree in Animal Science

High School diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree in life sciences (preferred)

Job description

Augusta University is Georgia's innovation center for education and health care, training the next generation of innovators, leaders, and healthcare providers in classrooms and clinics on four campuses in Augusta and locations across the state. More than 12,000 students choose Augusta for educational opportunities at the center of Georgia's cybersecurity hub and experiential learning that blends arts and application, humanities, and the health sciences. Augusta is home to Georgia's only public academic health center, where groundbreaking research is creating a healthier, more prosperous Georgia, and world-class clinicians are bringing the medicine of tomorrow to patient care today. Our mission and values https://www.augusta.edu/about/mission.php make Augusta University an institution like no other.

Augusta University's distinct characteristics in education and research include real-world experiences and community engagement, as well as a culture of building community, corporate and government partnerships that address health, security, economic and societal concerns locally and across the state.

Our Health Sciences Campus: 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912

College/Department Information

The Division of Laboratory Animal Services at Augusta University is a service organization that facilitates the research and teaching mission of the University by meeting the animal research needs of the research community while concurrently providing for the safe and ethical treatment of research animals. Our emphasis on customer service is demonstrated by providing high-quality animal care and research support in a timely manner while being courteous, professional, and responsive to our customers. We maintain a centralized animal care program with administrative management of 6 on-campus and 1 off-campus animal facilities. We report to the Vice President of Research, consult, and collaborate with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. The animal use program is accredited by AAALAC, a Registered Research Facility with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA No. 57-R-0002) and has an Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare Assurance number.

Job Summary

The primary purpose of the Research Laboratory Animal Veterinary Technician is to assist the Veterinarians in the Division of Laboratory Animal Services with ensuring the proper and humane care of a variety of laboratory animals housed at Augusta University and assist research staff with proper rodent surgical technique, experimental procedures, and breeding management. The provision of adequate veterinary care must be in compliance with USDA, PHS, and AU regulations and guidelines. Under the direction of the Veterinarians, this position is responsible for providing complex animal care using common veterinary technology practices and performing technical procedures in support of specialized research projects. This position is an Integral team member, but it maintains the ability to work independently. This position must be available to work occasional weekends/on-call/overtime as needed to support animal care.

Responsibilities

The job duties include, but are not limited to:

Observes and examines experimental animals. Must have the ability to recognize signs of abnormal behavior, illness, or injury, which are either experimentally related or occurring spontaneously. Relays findings and consults with the veterinary staff, and discusses animal health issues with investigators and/or research staff. Recognize~ and reports changes in the animal's environment or deviations in their proper use and care which may affect animal welfare; aids in the resolution of these issues. Maintain animal health records.

Performs common veterinary diagnostic procedures, including but not limited to blood sampling, urine collection and analysis, fecal examinations, skin scrapings, and necropsies. Prepares samples for shipping to the appropriate laboratories when necessary. Collects and analyzes a variety of samples from animals monitored in the Animal Health Surveillance. Program including blood, feces, fur pluck, etc. Prepares for and ships or receives animals, including proper record keeping and health evaluations.

Performs common treatments and procedures, including but not limited to animal preparation for surgery, catheter placement, intubation, monitoring of anesthesia, calculation and administration of medication and/or fluids via oral or parenteral routes. Responsible for maintaining animal health records and drug inventory. Purchases all Class I through Class V drugs for the department, following DEA regulations. Maintains the controlled drug log. Maintains and inventories the department pharmacy, supplies, equipment, and instruments for the surgical program. Responsible for maintaining anesthesia machines, related equipment, and surgical supplies. Maintains records and enters animal health data and records into electronic databases for Animal Health and Surveillance programs.

Under the direction of a Veterinarian, calculates drug dosages, prepares, and dispenses limited drugs and anesthetics to investigators. Gives instruction and guidance on proper use of drugs and anesthetics, including dosage, routes of administration, duration, patient care, etc. Performs technical services, including but not limited to administration of drugs used in a research protocol, weighing animals, measuring food, and/or helping with a variety of research protocols.

Provide rodent Surgical expertise to research staff and assist with oversight of rodent breeding management. Assists in the training of clinical and research personnel and members of the Division of Laboratory Animal Services via direct interactions or in class situations.

Performs animal husbandry duties as necessary, including changing, sanitization, and sterilization of cages and accessory equipment, feeding, watering, and exercising of animals. Follows standard operating procedures to minimize cross-contamination of potential pathogens between colonies. Handles animals that have been exposed to chemical, pathogenic, or radioactive hazards and follows safety instructions for personal protection as well as protection of other personnel and animals. Handles and cares for animals in specialized colonies, including gnotobiotic, specific-pathogen-free, transgenic, or barrier-reared animals.

Coordinate surgical activity in central and satellite facilities, and prepare the surgical area for sterile and non-sterile procedures, which include equipment, instruments, and pack preparation. Prepares patients for nonsterile and sterile surgical procedures, and administers and maintains anesthesia for induction, intubation, maintenance, and recovery. Operates a variety of equipment, including gas anesthetic machines, ventilators, pulse oximeters, and blood pressure, ECG, and C02 monitors, and closely guides and monitors the activities of research staff in the surgical and clinical areas to assure compliance with USDA, PHS, and AU regulations and guidelines.

Drives department vehicles, operates equipment, and performs miscellaneous duties necessary to support the animal care and the research support mission. Available to work occasional weekends, and/or provide on-call service or a rotation schedule as needed to support animal care responsibilities.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in Animal Science or related field and one year of veterinary technician experience OR High School diploma, GED, or equivalent from a recognized State or Federal accrediting organization, and a minimum of two years as a private practice veterinary technician or one year as a laboratory animal medicine veterinary technician. Valid driver's license required.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in life sciences.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

KNOWLEDGE
Proficient in Microsoft Office and other computer software/databases
Knowledge and understanding of animal health, husbandry, and behavior
Knowledge of or willingness to learn federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to laboratory animals

SKILLS
Skilled in making careful visual observations
Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
Detail-oriented with strong time management, prioritization, and organizational skills

ABILITIES
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Willingness and ability to work with research animals
Ability to work semi-independently and work a flexible schedule.

Shift/Salary/Benefits

Shift: Days: Monday - Friday (Work occasional weekends, and/or provide on-call service or a rotation schedule)

Pay Band: B6

Salary: $18.85/hourly - $20.83/hourly

Salary to be commensurate with qualifications of the selected candidate within the established range (generally minimum-midpoint) of the position

Recruitment Period: Until Filled

Augusta University offers a variety of benefits to full-time benefits-eligible employees and some of our half-time (or more) employees.

Benefits that may be elected could include health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, Teachers Retirement System (or Optional Retirement Plan), as well as earned vacation time, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays.

Also, our full