The Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC) is located 12 miles west of the OHSU main campus, and sits on 162 acres of land featuring forested areas, research and administration buildings, indoor and outdoor animal housing, a pond, and 2-mile perimeter walking path. Our mission is to improve human health and the quality of life through the support of nonhuman primate research programs that advance our knowledge of the causes, preventions, treatments, and cures of debilitating diseases.

The Clinical Veterinary Technician 1 assists in providing clinical care, nursing support and husbandry for a variety of USDA covered laboratory research animals including those typically housed in a BSL2+. Work may involve an ABSL3 facility. This is the first level of a three-level series.  It is distinguished from the higher levels with increased supervision, a focus on entry level procedural activities and reduced responsibility for performing complex animal care protocols and veterinary diagnostic and treatment procedures.  At this level there is an emphasis on animal health, hospitalized patient care, and training, with increased supervision of techniques and decision-making processes. CVT 1s typically will need supervision or guidance from senior staff or DVMs greater than 50% of their workday. CVTs are distinguished from the Veterinary Research/Health Technician series by the focus on triage, case management, and provision of surgical repairs for wounds.

Work inside an ABSL3 facility is a requirement of this position.

Rounds/Triage/Observation/Records

• Evaluate new/ongoing clinical cases for abnormal behavior, illness, injury. Solid grasp of normal vs. abnormal presentation
• Communicates medical needs to veterinary staff w/ appropriate terminology/clinical parameters
• Triage emergency needs
• Orders/collects diagnostic tests w/ some interpretation
• Provides treatments within clinical guidelines with veterinarian oversight
• Prescribe medication using algorithms as directed by a veterinarian
• Maintains expected and appropriate standards of cleanliness, including management of disparate viral statuses
• Documents all medical cases within the electronic primate data base according to ONPRC and departmental guidelines
• Provides complete health review including weight management
• Communicates between multiple units to ensure proper health management

Nursing and Critical care

• Provides medical assessment and stabilization for all levels of treatment
• Responsible for anesthetic induction, including intubation with some oversight
• Provides patient monitoring during anesthetic procedures or while a patient is being stabilized
• Recovers patients from anesthesia
• Interprets electrolyte and blood gas results and initiates corrective IV fluid therapy
• Calculates drug doses from provided algorithms
• Utilizes all available clinical diagnostic and therapeutic tools and equipment

Therapeutics

• Performs standard clinical procedures including but not limited to- venipuncture, IV catheter placement, medication/fluid rate calculations, med admin, bandaging, basic wound care procedures, dental radiographs, radiographs, ultrasound for pregnancy checks
• Surgical repair w/ the ability to handle surgical instruments w/ oversight and training (basic level)
• Performs dental prophy procedures
• Provides PI procedure support
• Knowledge of veterinary clinical technology and biological principles to determine appropriate actions during case management
• Knowledge of basic anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology to understand procedures and provide treatment

• High school diploma or GED and 1 year experience caring for animals in a veterinary hospital including 6 months experience in a clinical position AND
• State certification through the Veterinary Medical Examining Board as a Veterinary Technician AND Certification by the American Association for Lab Animal Science at the Assistant Lab Animal Technician (ALAT) level within one year of employment
• Demonstrated competence in standard veterinary clinical care, particularly wound management and IV fluid therapy
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written formats
• Ability to interact in a positive, productive manner with veterinary, scientific, and technical staff; work efficiently and skillfully, with a variety of diverse staff and in difficult and stressful situations
• Basic skills in Word and Excel
• Ability to prioritize work demands
• A valid Driver's License and the ability to drive ARRS/ONPRC vehicles on and off campus.
• Must be able to complete an FBI security risk assessment

• Experience in the health care of experimental animals in a research setting
• Demonstrated experience operating a variety of equipment used in clinical practice including, but not limited to gas anesthetic machines, ventilators, pulse oximeters and CO2 monitors, IV fluid pumps on a wide variety of animals
• Veterinary nursing skills for intensive care patients
• Excellent eye-hand coordination

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Requires the ability to move unassisted through various animal housing areas located in several separate buildings, indoor and outdoor, (including covered areas that are not environmentally controlled), in order to make animal observations, perform animal husbandry tasks, handle, move, or restrain animals, collect samples, administer treatments, and perform other procedures
• Ability to moving on wet and/or slick surfaces, through narrow corridors between rows of cages, and climbing stairs to corral observation platforms
• Perform work in areas where there is risk of exposure to zoonotic agents through injury, by direct contact with animals or their tissues and body fluids, or by contact with equipment contaminated by animals or their tissues and body fluids
• Work where there is risk of exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals and sanitizing chemicals

• Ability to perform work within an ABSL-3 is required

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & EQUIPMENT USAGE: 

• Ability to use proper techniques to safely perform standard clinical procedures, including ability to accurately calculate medication dosages
• Possess sufficient dexterity and manual skills to safely perform (or learn to perform) basic animal husbandry and animal handling (using proper techniques)
• Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 23 kg (50 lbs), and lift objects weighing approximately 19 kg (42 lbs) to approximately shoulder height
• Ability to push and pull heavy wheeled equipment such as cage racks and loaded carts

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.