Senior Veterinary Technician

Senior Veterinary Technician

The individual will serve as a Senior Veterinary Technician within the Division of Laboratory and Animal Resources (DLAR). The individual will:

• Assume a lead support role in assisting DLAR veterinarians with the provision of veterinary medical care and maintenance of animal colony health.
• Coordinate and provide animal study support, perform veterinary technical procedures, and schedule veterinary technicians under the direction of a veterinarian.
• Oversee veterinary technician support at large, complex, surgical or biohazardous (ABSL-3) facility/facilities, and/or backup area managers.
• Provide animal husbandry and care or cage wash support to meet the operational needs of the facility.

The position requires successful enrollment in the University of Pittsburgh Animal Exposure Surveillance Program and other medical surveillance/immunization programs as dictated by the current research activities. Vaccination and/or TB testing may be required. The successful candidate must be able to comprehend and follow written and verbal instructions, maintain accurate and legible records and other forms of documentation, consistently demonstrate positive interpersonal and customer service skills, be available to work weekends and holidays, travel to multiple buildings in a timely manner, stand for extended periods of time, lift 50 pounds, push/pull heavy equipment, pass the mandatory criminal and social background check, DEA certification screening, and possibly the PA Child Abuse History Clearance. In addition, the candidate must successfully complete a Department of Justice Security Risk Assessment for work with Select Agents and Toxins, as required by federal regulation; and must maintain good standing in the University of Pittsburgh's Suitability Assessment program for access to Tier 1 Select Agents. Due to the nature of biohazard research, the candidate must be capable of adequately performing all duties outlined while wearing respiratory protection and other personal protective equipment required to enter Biosafety Level 3 facilities.

Job Summary: Serves as senior support to veterinarians and researchers to provide laboratory animal care and research support. Performs preventative medicine, triage and emergency response, and conducts complex procedures. Takes a lead role in anesthetic and surgical support procedures, oversees and directs veterinary technician support, and provides backup support to leadership. Performs medical imaging, treatments, and administers medications as prescribed. Ensures adherence to all federal and state health laws and responds to regulatory issues. Maintains sanitization and conducts administrative duties.

Essential Functions: The employee must be able to:

• Read, understand, and follow DLAR and other institutional guidance documents (SOPs, policies), including IACUC approved animal protocols when applicable.
• Follow written and verbal instructions.
• Have sufficient visual acuity and manual dexterity to recognize and identify normal and abnormal species-specific clinical appearances and behavior patterns, perform veterinary technical procedures, safely handle and restrain the animal species involved with his/her duties, and operate and maintain facility equipment and supplies utilized in the provision of veterinary care, animal husbandry and care, and in the cash wash areas.
• Wear facility specific personal protective equipment (PPE) required by the job duties based on risk assessment from EH&S.
• Work directly with live or dead animals and clean or soiled bedding and caging with reasonable accommodations if necessary.
• Accurately and legibly document written information in English in a timely manner, including electronic formats and applications (e.g., ARO, CAMS).
• Effective written and verbal communication in English, including the use of email.
• Receive vaccinations and health assessments, including TB testing, required to work in some animal holding or procedure areas in accordance with DLAR and/or EH&S policies and practices.
• Successfully enroll in University of Pittsburgh Animal Exposure Surveillance Program (AESP) and other medical surveillance/immunization programs as dictated by current research activities.

Physical Effort: The employee must be able to:

• Stand for extended periods of time throughout the majority of the workday.
• Lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds including but not limited to caging and equipment, bags or boxes of animal diet and animal bedding, and operate flatbed hand trucks or pallet jacks to move heavier objects or weights exceeding 50 pounds.
• Perform repetitive motion tasks that involve pushing, pulling, reaching, and/or bending.
• Physically handle and restrain a variety of small and large laboratory animals.
• Negotiate and navigate around animal facility caging, equipment, and the physical plant.