Animal Health Technician Manager

Department: Ctr for Comparative Medicine
Salary/Grade: EXS/10

Manages the activities of the Animal Health Technicians and interns on the Chicago and Evanston campuses at Northwestern University. Provides animal clinical care on both campuses as needed. Represents Animal Health Technicians at intra- and interdepartmental meetings. Oversees rodent health monitoring programs, veterinary drug and supply inventory, and other aspects of the program of veterinary care as delegated by or in collaboration with the veterinarians. Provides training to CCM and research personnel as needed.

Specific Responsibilities :

Administrative & Management

• Supervises Animal Health Technicians and interns and oversees daily clinical operations on Chicago and Evanston campuses.
• Manages AHT schedules to ensure coverage of all veterinary areas. Maintains veterinary on-call schedule and AHT weekend coverage schedule. Regularly reviews caseload for coverage areas.
• Interviews and hires new AHTs. Manages goal-setting and annual performance evaluation process for AHTs and hosts individual check-ins with all direct reports.
• Functions as liaison and meets regularly with AHTs, veterinarians, husbandry staff, and researchers. Communicates program needs with management.
• Submits veterinary service billing statements to CCM business office for recharge to investigators.

Animal Care & Clinical Operations

• Oversees daily clinical operations, coordinates coverage, and supervises AHTs and interns performing clinical duties. Provides coverage for AHTs as needed.
• Works with Veterinarians and Animal Surgical Technicians to coordinate surgical care of laboratory animals and ensure adequate coverage for surgical procedures and post-operative care.
• Works with Animal Behavior and Enrichment Manager to coordinate environmental and social enrichment for laboratory animals and ensure adequate coverage for environmental enrichment areas.
• Oversees implementation of rodent colony health, import and quarantine programs. Coordinates coverage and provides backup as needed.

Teaching & Training

• Develops and implements on-the-job and technical skills training programs for AHTs and ensures documentation is complete and up to date.
• Facilitates training of laboratory personnel, interns and AHTs. Trains laboratory personnel in 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.

Drugs, Supplies & Diagnostic Testing

• Oversees preparation and submission of diagnostic specimens.
• Oversees inventory and restocking of veterinary drugs and supplies.
• Oversees maintenance of veterinary equipment. Coordinates repairs and preventative maintenance, including annual calibration of anesthesia machines for both campuses. Coordinates veterinary staff dosimeter program
• Oversees the procurement, storage, usage, disposal, and accurate recordkeeping of controlled substances in accordance with federal and state regulations. Conducts regular audits to ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and internal policies.

Regulatory

• Remains current with regulations pertaining to laboratory animals including the Guide, Animal Welfare Act, and controlled substance regulations.
• Becomes familiar with relevant Animal Study Protocols and meets with investigators and laboratory personnel to discuss research needs and animal health concerns.
• Maintains technical familiarity with a wide range of clinical and experimental procedures for a variety of laboratory animal species.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a college level curriculum in veterinary technology requiring a minimum of two years of full-time academic study in 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.
• Current state board licensure in veterinary technology in at least one state.
• Minimum of 10 years' experience as an animal health technician in laboratory animal medicine or equivalent combined experience in veterinary medicine and animal research.
• Certified by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at the LATG level.
• Demonstrated leadership ability
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be able to type and have working knowledge of spreadsheet, word processing and e-mail software.
• Strong interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Animal research experience.
• Personnel management experience.
• CMAR Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science.
• Experience with conflict resolution.
• Project management experience.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $98,000-$115,000 per year. 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 .

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