Veterinary Technician 1

AAVMP; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Case Western Reserve University seeks a Veterinary Technician 1 to support ARC veterinarians, investigators, and staff in animal care, health monitoring, and technical services. The role includes administrative duties like billing, inventory, and record-keeping for controlled substances.

The position emphasizes compliance with AAALAC, the Animal Welfare Act, and IACUC guidelines, with responsibilities ranging from clinical rounds to surgical assistance and animal health surveillance.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Animal Health from an accredited program.
• State registration as veterinary technician or ALAT/LAT with AALAS; LATG expected within 4 years.
• Maintenance of AALAS certification registry and a valid Ohio driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Conduct daily rounds observing and treating animals under ARC veterinarian direction.
• Review sick animal health observations and coordinate follow-up with a veterinarian.
• Assist investigators with surgical procedures, including anesthesia induction and monitoring.
• Monitor and document controlled substances in compliance with DEA guidelines.
• Maintain aseptic surgical suites and reorder supplies as needed.
• Follow up with investigators on problems with research animals and compliance.
• Perform quarterly rodent disease surveillance testing and record results.
• Monitor drug and supply inventories and ensure proper disposal of expired substances.
• Perform in-house lab analyses and process specimens for external testing.
• Record and inspect incoming USDA-covered animals and maintain regulatory paperwork.
• Maintain routine animal health maintenance procedures and ARC policies.
• Ensure compliance with ARC and regulatory policies; report noncompliance when observed.

Skills

Veterinary nursing

Regulatory compliance

Animal handling

Communication

Laboratory procedures

Education

Associate degree in Animal Health

AALAS LAT/RALAT certification

Ohio driver’s license

Tools

X-ray equipment operation

Microsoft Office

Job description

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Veterinary Technician 1 is a member of the Animal Resource Center (ARC) Veterinary Services team and provides direct support to the ARC veterinarians, principal investigators and research staff in the areas of animal health and technical services. This position is also responsible for providing administrative support, including billing, maintenance of the surgical and X‑ray suites, and monitoring the veterinary drug and supply inventory including required record keeping for and disbursement of controlled drugs. This position will work with animals. This position is subject to compliance regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines, the State of Ohio Veterinary Practice Act, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration regulatory guidelines, US Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine regulations and other applicable regulatory guidelines.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conduct daily rounds; observe and treat animals under the direction of an ARC veterinarian as needed or as required based on governing regulations and research directives using a handheld or stationary tablet device. (12%)
• Review all ¿sick¿ animal health observations received in the previous 24 hours using a handheld or stationary tablet device. Interface with an ARC veterinarian in order to determine and implement and document follow-up treatment or actions. (8%)
• Provide research support and technical services. Assist principal investigators with surgical procedures, including anesthesia induction and monitoring, surgical prep, and post‑surgical veterinary nursing support. (8%)
• Monitor, record, disburse, and destroy controlled substances accordance with Drug Enforcement Agency guidelines and all applicable governing regulatory guidelines. (8%)
• Operate and maintain the aseptic surgical suites, surgical supplies; monitor supply and reorder/restock as needed. (6%)
• In coordination with the attending veterinarian, follow‑up with principal investigators regarding any problems with assigned research animals. (6%)
• Perform quarterly rodent disease surveillance testing (serology, parasitology, bacteriology, PCR) for all ARC rodent housing rooms. (6%)
• Monitor expiration dates of drugs and other supplies; assure that expired substances are not in use and destroyed per regulatory guidelines. (6%)
• Perform in‑house laboratory analysis for including but not limited to fecal floatation, pinworm preparations, mite exams, UA, and Limited Hematology and send out laboratory specimens as assigned. (6%)
• Record and examine incoming USDA‑covered animals. Maintain accurate and thorough documentation and required regulatory paperwork for all animals. (6%)
• Perform regular animal health maintenance according to ARC policy and procedures. Regular maintenance includes but is not limited to nail trimming, teeth cleaning, monitoring weight, vaccinations etc. (6%)
• Maintain and monitor compliance to ARC and applicable regulatory policies and procedures, including but not limited to animal welfare, animal safety, human safety, prescription drugs and controlled substances. (6%)
• Monitor investigator compliance to ARC policy and governing regulatory guidelines including but not limited to animal welfare, animal safety, human safety, prescription drugs and controlled substances. Report suspected noncompliance. (6%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Perform other duties as assigned. (4%)
• Provide information to ARC Administrative Services for ordering of prescription drugs, controlled substances and other supplies under the direction of and with authorization of the director. (3%)
• Provide backup to the Quality Assurance Coordinator when needed in the areas of rodent overcrowding, animal enrichment, import/export and cage wash quality control. (3%)

CONTACTS

Department: Daily contact with supervisor, ARC staff, attending veterinarians, animal care personnel and managers regarding animal health, treatment, experimental procedures, compliance, and various administrative matters to ensure proper veterinary care of the research animals.

University: Daily contact with IACUC staff and researchers regarding animal health, treatment, experimental procedures, compliance, and various administrative matters. Daily contact with researchers, others affiliated (e.g., IACUC members) outside of the School of Medicine and the SOM Office of Research Administration in order to maintain a collaborative and compliant Laboratory Animal Program.

External: Regular (weekly) contact with various animal vendors and less frequent contact with other service personnel such anesthesia machine service personnel to coordinate services and to escort them throughout the Animal Resource Center.

Students: Regular contact with graduate students and medical students for the provision of surgical and technical services.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

No direct supervisory responsibility. This position will participate in training and providing guidance to Cuyahoga Community College student interns.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 0 to 1 year of experience as a veterinary technician, preferably in a laboratory animal environment required.

Education/Licensing: Associate degree in Animal Health from an accredited veterinary technician program or related degree (i.e., Bachelor¿s in Animal Science, etc.). State registration as veterinary technician or Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT)/ Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) level certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS); and maintenance of AALAS RALAT/ RLAT certification registry required. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification at the level of Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) is expected within 4 years of hire. A valid Ohio driver¿s license is required.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Knowledge, understanding and ability to accurately apply of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within the field of veterinary services, specific to a veterinary technician role.
• Must demonstrate compliance with Case Western Reserve University animal research and care (ARC) policies and procedures and compliance to regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines, the State of Ohio Veterinary Practice Act, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration regulatory guidelines, US Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine regulations and other applicable regulatory guidelines.
• Previous experience working with animals preferred.
• Must demonstrate compassion for animals within Case Western Reserve University facilities and dedication to the Animal Resource Center¿s mission. Must handle animals with care and respect at all times.
• Ability to handle, restrain, administer substances and anesthesia and provide monitoring and post‑operative and other nursing care for a wide range of animal species including but not limited to rodents, rabbits, dogs, cats, and livestock.
• Ability to perform correct surgical prep and demonstrate knowledge of aseptic surgical techniques.
• Ability to safely and appropriately operate x‑ray machines and develop radiographs using an automatic processor.
• Ability to maintain familiarity and demonstrate knowledge of and compliance to ARC policies and governing regulatory guidelines.
• Professional and effective verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to articulately and accurately relay information to investigators, research staff, and other interested parties.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work and communicate with various individuals from a broad spectrum of disciplines, technical and educational backgrounds within the department, School and University, and with individuals outside the university.
• Strong organization skills; ability to multi‑task, prioritize and meet deadlines. Must demonstrate an attention to detail and accuracy, follow‑through and time‑management skills.
• Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively within a team. Must be highly motivated and a self‑starter.
• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent problem solving skills; must demonstrate sound judgment and good decision‑making.
• Must demonstrate flexibility and ability to work under pressure; must be able and willing to work in a fast‑paced, changing environment, and conform to shifting priorities, demands and timeline.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, relational database software and with internet navigation.
• Must demonstrate willingness to learn new techniques, procedures, processes, and computer programs as needed.
• Ability to demonstrate successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors and customers face to face.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position will work directly with animals, including rodents, rabbits, dogs, cats, pigs, sheep, goats, and non‑human primates. This position may have direct contact with or have exposure to the following hazards: bloodborne pathogens, chemicals, infectious agents, select agents, radioactive materials, X‑ray, human blood and tissue, animal blood and tissue, and formaldehyde. This position requires baseline evaluation of hearing and vision. This position may require the ability to independently lift or assist with lifting animals ranging from small to large in size. The nature of this position may require the use of a respirator. This position may be required to drive or travel to satellite facilities at MetroHealth Medical Center and the VA Medical Center.

Case Western Reserve University¿s animal facilities are accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) and is managed according to the ¿Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals¿ appropriate Federal Animal Welfare Regulations, and the Public Health Service ¿Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals."