Veterinary Support Staff

The University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 68,880,000 - 96,432,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits eligible

Job summary

The University of Chicago seeks a Veterinary Support staff member to perform routine health rounds and care for rodents and exotic species. You will support veterinary and investigative staff, assist with training, and share weekend/holiday rotation.

Responsibilities include health assessments, analgesic management, and documenting procedures, with emphasis on safety, QA, and compliance in a dynamic animal research environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field is required.
• 1+ years of experience in a biomedical research environment or animal setting preferred.
• AALAS certification at any level strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform health assessments and analgesic management for rodents and exotic species.
• Assist veterinarians, husbandry staff, and investigators; provide training and guidance.
• Maintain complete and accurate records and documentation.

Skills

Biomedical research

Animal care

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Job description

Department BSD ARC - Veterinary Services 2 - Support

About the Department

The Animal Resources Center (ARC) at the University of Chicago supports animal research by ensuring humane care and proper use of all laboratory animals. It oversees all research animals on campus and manages six facilities and a business office. The Veterinary Support unit is responsible for performing health rounds and providing treatment to research animals and support to BSD animal users. ARC is part of the Office of Shared Research Facilities, which also manages BSD core facilities.

Job Summary

The job performs routine laboratory data collection and analysis to support clinical research, and assists in specialty research involving animals, MRI technologies, histology, among others. Under supervision from the ARC Compliance & Training Supervisor, provides general assistance to veterinary and investigative staff. Performs routine observation health rounds and treatments of rodent and exotics population, provides training of animal facility and investigative staff, and shares weekend/holiday rotation with other veterinary support staff.

Responsibilities

• Under the direction of the Compliance & Training Manager, performs health assessments, analgesic management, and medical care of rodents and "exotic" species (i.e. frogs, hamsters, birds, zebrafish).
• Communicates with veterinarians, husbandry staff, and investigative staff and assists with training and advising investigators, research, and animal facility staff including animal handling, animal health, and technical procedures.
• Records and maintains complete and accurate records documentation.
• Provides technical research procedures.
• Shares rotation for health assessments on weekends and holidays with other rodent/exotics veterinary support staff.
• Assists with the rodent quarantine and health monitoring programs.
• Assists with the shipment and receipt of animals coming from external/non-approved sources to quarantine, transfer of animals from quarantine to procedural facilities, collects diagnostic samples, manages outbreak response in conjunction with veterinarians, and performs necropsies.
• Provides hands-on rodent/exotics technique training.
• Assists with the development of new training mater.
• Understands aquatics life support systems and how to interpret aquatics water quality testing results.
• Assists with the collection and processing of environmental samples from all facilities (i.e. water quality testing, ATP swabs, etc.).
• Under guidance and direction, analyzes clinical samples and specimens and reports results.
• Prepares specimens for examination, and looks for abnormalities using automated equipment, and computerized instruments capable of performing a number of tests simultaneously.
• Conducts new tests and researches on new technologies for implementation in the laboratory.
• Solve routine or standard problems relating to the collection and management of patient results and data.
• Has general awareness of safety, quality control, and quality assurance procedures.
• Maintains quality and safety control measures for the laboratory.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Certifications: ---

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience: 1+ years of experience with biomedical research environment or research animal setting.
• 1+ years of experience with handling, caring, and performing technical procedures for rodents, birds, and aquatics species.
• Licenses and Certifications: AALAS certification at any level strongly preferred.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a commitment to providing excellent service and support to users and collaborators.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong computer, record-keeping, time management, and follow-through skills.
• Adaptable and eager to learn, with the ability to respond effectively to changing priorities and unscheduled needs.
• Ability to Identify, analyze, and resolve clinical, procedural, and compliance challenges with a proactive mindset, applying critical thinking to find practical solutions.

Working Conditions

Involves a combination of mobility between facilities, work in a biological safety cabinet, and time spent in stationary positions, including standing or sitting while performing assigned duties, as well as periods of seated, computer-based work.

• Job Family: Research
• Role Impact: Individual Contributor
• Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40
• Drug Test Required: No
• Health Screen Required: Yes
• Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required: No
• Pay Rate Type: Hourly
• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
• Pay Range: $24.04 - $33.65
• Benefits Eligible: Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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