Animal Health Technician Senior

Department: Ctr for Comparative Medicine
Salary/Grade: NEX/14

Job Summary:

Performs daily health monitoring, minor surgery, clinical care, and enrichment for laboratory animals. Manages the rodent sentinel program and provides training to CCM and research personnel. Coordinates scheduling for coverage area.

Please note: 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.

*Note: Not all aspects of the job are covered by this job description.

Specific Responsibilities :

Surgical Support

• Performs minor surgeries and assists the clinical veterinarians or other qualified individuals with surgical procedures. Prepares sterile instrument packs and prepares surgical suite animals for aseptic surgery. Administers anesthetic agents, intravenous fluids, and monitors anesthesia and post-surgical recovery. Submits surgery billing statements to CCM business office on a monthly basis for recharge to investigators (essential function for cost recovery).

Clinical Rounds

• Performs daily rounds 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, makes treatment recommendations, performs treatments, and consults with clinical veterinarians regarding health reports.

Environmental Enrichment

• Ensures that environmental and social enrichment is provided to the laboratory animals. Facilitates training of a variety of research animals (NHPs, pigs, cats) in various areas (clicker training, etc.). Orders and prepares enrichment supplies. Observes and oversees pair and group housing.

Colony Health Sentinel Program

• Coordinates 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 form 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

• Trains animal care staff, laboratory personnel and interns in proper animal restraint, barrier technique and asepsis. Trains laboratory personnel, interns, and AHTs in technical procedures such as intravenous injections, blood collection, intubation, catheterization, etc.

Regulatory

• Remains current with all regulations pertaining to laboratory animals including the Guide, Animal Welfare Act, etc. Maintains technical familiarity with a wide range of clinical and experimental procedures for a variety of laboratory animal species. Participates in various staff meetings, staff training and continuing professional education. Becomes familiar with relevant Animal Study Protocols and meets with investigators and laboratory personnel to discuss research needs and animal health concerns.

Miscellaneous

Performed other duties

Minimum Qualifications (Education, Experience, Certifications, Skills)

• 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.
• Minimum of 4 years' experience as an animal health technician in laboratory animal medicine OR 5 years' experience as a veterinary assistant or veterinary technician in a veterinary medical facility and
• AALAS certified ALAT or equivalent combination of relevant work or education experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Must be able to type and have working knowledge of spreadsheet, word processing and e-mail software.
• Lab animal care

Preferred Qualifications (Education, Experience, Certifications, Skills)

• At least 1 year experience in a laboratory animal research facility
• Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Research at the LAT level
• Current state board licensure in veterinary technology in at least one state
• Experience in animal research

Target hiring range for this position will be between $24.00-$33.50 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 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 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 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 .

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