University Laboratory Animal Veterinarian

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title: (Sr) Clinical Veterinarian - National Primate Research Center

Location: Seattle, Washington

About the Role:

As a University employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state, and around the world. University employees offer boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world.

University faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities, and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

The National Primate Research Center (NPRC) has an outstanding opportunity open for a Veterinarian.

The primary purpose of this position is to provide the appropriate environment to support outstanding biomedical research directed towards significant human health issues and nonhuman primate health and biology. In conjunction with our Mission Statement, these values link this position to our purpose as a Center: Commitment to Research, Teamwork, Accountability - Productivity, and Communication.

Under the general direction of the Supervisory Veterinarian, the Clinical Veterinarian provides critical veterinary clinical and surgical support and care of nonhuman primates (NHPs) used for research at the NPRC. This position's primary duties include performing specialized work related to the development, performance, and management of research and clinical surgeries of nonhuman primates. This role requires strong clinical and surgical veterinary skills, the ability to collaborate with investigators to develop and optimize clinical and surgical procedures and techniques, strong organizational skills, direct interaction with diverse groups within the NPRC, and the ability to work with minimal supervision.

Position Dimensions and Impact to the University:

This position must:

• Ensure the optimal clinical and surgical support and management of nonhuman primates (NHPs) at the NPRC.
• Ensure the University of Washington is in compliance with federal regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and with accreditation standards of the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Lab Animal Care International (AAALAC).
• Support the development and execution of research at the NPRC.

Key Responsibilities:

Clinical and Surgical Services (60%):

• Collaborate with investigators to develop and implement novel research clinical and surgical procedures and techniques to support ongoing research studies.
• Assist investigators with protocol development and study scheduling, and consult with investigators regarding study progression.
• Perform routine research clinical and surgical procedures, including, but not limited to, vascular catheter implantation, laparoscopy, laparotomy, thoracotomy, craniotomy, cranial implantation, and removal surgeries.
• Perform and assist clinical veterinarians with emergency and non-emergency clinical surgical procedures, including trauma repair, dental extraction, laparotomy, and Caesarean.
• Perform radiology and ultrasound as it pertains to clinical and surgical procedures.
• Provide guidance to clinical and surgical support staff on instrumentation, sanitation practices, and clinical and surgical suite maintenance.
• Train and oversee technical staff performing research clinical and surgical procedures.
• Maintain clinical records in a custom electronic database, the Animal Research Management System (ARMS).
• Provide patient peri-operative anesthesia and monitoring as needed.
• Provide and oversee post-operative intensive care, including the use of sedatives, analgesics, and antibiotics.
• Ensure that all procedures performed have the appropriate regulatory and internal approvals prior to being performed.

Veterinary Clinical Services (20%):

• Support clinical veterinary staff in the overall management and health of research and colony animals, including preventative medicine, review of health records, and development of treatment plans for ongoing clinical cases.
• Train and oversee technical staff performing research procedures (surgical and non-surgical) and anesthesia.
• Determine and direct use of anesthetic and analgesic agents.
• Perform sedation and anesthesia with controlled drugs.
• Perform the duties required of Essential Personnel members in the event of an emergency.
• Communicate regularly with veterinary, research support, husbandry, pathology, and behavioral management staff.
• Stay current on all required training.

Regulatory Compliance (20%):

• Maintain compliance with all USDA, PHS, AAALAC, University, and NPRC policies and procedures.
• Provide direct monitoring of clinical cases and present verbal and written reports to the University of Washington Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Attending Veterinarian.
• Provide supervision of research support and veterinary clinical staff members as needed.
• Provide training to veterinary technicians, research support staff, researchers, students, residents, and visiting scientists.
• Assist in the management of controlled substance inventory.
• Participate in continuing education opportunities, including small animal continuing education courses and literature pertaining to nonhuman primates, nonhuman primate-related conferences and meetings, specialty practice conferences, and inter-department research-related lectures and literature.
• Provide orientation, training, and refresher training for on-site personnel.
• Write and review Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Participate in NPRC and University committees and Primate Center Consortium working groups.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position may provide technical direction to Research Support Services and Veterinary Services Units, as well as other Clinical Veterinarians .

Minimum Requirements:

• Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine AND 2-3 years of applicable work experience.

Specific Experience Required:

• Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from a College of Veterinary Medicine that is accredited by the American Veterinary Association or has a certificate issued by the American Veterinary Association's Education Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG in progress will be considered), and a license to practice veterinary medicine in at least one state.
• The ability to obtain a license to practice in the state of Washington.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency in the use of computers, including word processing, spreadsheets, database software, and internet usage.
• Demonstrated capacity to work well independently and in collaboration with a diverse staff.