Veterinary Technician (LVT or CVT)

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Veterinary Technician Level I provides veterinary technical assistance to the veterinary staff and researchers, while providing clinical care for research animals. Performs routine health care procedures and conducts daily animal clinical health evaluations. 

Responsibilities

• Perform daily animal health evaluations. 
• Evaluate animals within assigned areas and report abnormal findings to an ICM veterinarian. 
• Provide necessary treatments as directed by the veterinarian. 
• Communicate findings and plan with the responsible researcher and building husbandry supervisor. 
• Document animal health abnormalities, diagnostic plan, diagnosis, treatment plan, and treatments. 
• Provide technical support during surgeries. 
• Provide veterinary technical support to researchers as per the protocol including but not limited to animal handling and restraint, sample collection, dose administration, surgical support, euthanasia, necropsy, and tissue harvest.
• Assist in training courses on the safe and humane handling, restraint, and manipulation of research animals.  
• Administer the sentinel animal/colony health monitoring program and collect the necessary samples for sentinel testing.  
• Maintain an inventory of clinical equipment and supplies, maintain records of annual equipment services.  
• Responsible for maintaining the isoflurane machines.  Maintain the cleanliness of all prep/procedure rooms and surgical areas; assist with development of standard operating procedures and guidelines; operate and use equipment and supplies according to SOPs to ensure proper bio security and safety.  
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in chemistry, biology, or physics or a completed animal husbandry program or equivalent in education, training and experience.
• Knowledge of various related laboratory procedures and techniques preferred.  
• One year of related experience is preferred.  
• Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) or Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT)

Other Requirements

• Position is 35 hours/week. 
• Mandatory weekend and holiday coverage as scheduled on a rotating basis.
• Position requires the ability to lift at least 25 pounds and frequently lift or move up to 50 pounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.