Animal Health Technician

Department: Ctr for Comparative Medicine
Salary/Grade: NEX/13

Job Summary:

Performs daily health monitoring, clinical care, surgical support and enrichment for laboratory animals.

Specific Responsibilities :

Clinical Rounds

• Performs daily rounds under the direct supervision of the clinical veterinarians or Animal Health Techincian, Leads 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 and treatments as deemed necessary by the clinical veterinarians.

Surgical Support

• Assists the clinical veterinarians or other qualified individuals with surgical procedures. Prepares sterile instrument packs and prepares surgical suite animals for asceptic surgery. Under the direction of the clinical veterinarians, AHT Sr or Lead, administers anesthetic agents, intravenous fluids and monitors anesthesia and post surgical recovery.

Environmental Enrichment

• Provides environmental and social enrichment to the laboratory animals. Maintains and monitors various reports and records including animal health records, activity reports and enrichment logs.

Colony Health/Sentinel Program

• Assists with 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 from 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

• Participates in the training of animal care staff, laboratory personnel and interns in proper animal restraint, barrier technique and asepsis. Participates in various staff meetings, staff training and continuing professional education.

Regulatory

• Maintains and monitors various reports and records including animal health records, activity reports and enrichment logs. Remains current with all regulations pertaining to laboratory animals including the Guide, Animal Welfare Act, etc. Becomes familiar with relevant Animal Study Protocols and meets with investigators and laboratory personnel to discuss research needs and animal health concerns.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• 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.
• One year of experience as a veterinary assistant or technician in a veterinary medical facility, research facility or diagnostic laboratory or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience where the required knowledge, skills and abilities are acquired.
• Must be able to type and have working knowledge of spreadsheet, word processing and e-mail software.

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Current state board licensure in veterinary technology in at least one state.
• Experience in animal research.
• Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at the ALAT level.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $24.00-$27.75 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 .