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 Veterinary Research/Health Technician 3  provides clinical care and husbandry for a variety of laboratory research primates.  This is the uppermost level of a three level series.  It is distinguished from the lower levels in that it is entrusted with leadership for all VRH technicians in the first and second levels. In this role, the individual is charged with technical leadership, increased responsibility for providing complex animal care, and special projects to support the department.  This technician works at a higher clinical level, providing advanced levels of care, such as monitoring anesthesia, bandaging wounds, performing pregnancy checks and radiographs, and other clinical tasks. This position is distinguished from a CVT position in that VRHTs are not responsible for any surgical procedures, development of case management plans, or triage. This position  performs administrative work in support of tasks such as scheduling , inventory, ordering, training, and so on. The primary function of this position is to support the clinical medicine unit related to the care of laboratory animals with a large emphasis on clinical and surgical medication distribution and preparation.  Duties must be performed in a professional manner and require contact with investigative staff.  The area of work assignment and specific tasks will vary, depending on veterinary care requirements, service requirements, and staffing needs, during regular and non-regular working hours, including weekends, holidays, or on an overtime basis. This position must be able to work in an ABSL-3.

 

Leadership:

Prepares schedules for staff, coordinates staff for departmental and cross departmental processes and procedures, adjust workload assignments as necessary, coordinates training assigned to staff, provides technical training to staff, and reports employee work performance and training progress to the supervisor and/or manager. Attends relevant meetings outside of the department as a unit representative and may gather and present material for meetings as directed by leadership. Operates in a professional manner, efficiently practices independent work and teamwork, demonstrates integrity, and shows no partiality.

 

Animal Health Care Services:

Prepare and distribute prescribed medications for all laboratory animals campus wide.  Participate in general animal health surveillance by observing animals in all housing configurations, recognizing abnormalities in physical condition or behavior, and reporting and recording observations to the clinical veterinarian or research staff; perform animal health  procedures such as weighing, TB testing, and blood collections; capture, restrain, identify, and sex common varieties of laboratory animals, and the transport animals in support of veterinary, husbandry or investigative procedures. Provides advanced departmental support including anesthesia monitoring, bandaging, pregnancy checks, etc.

 

General Maintenance:

Cleans and disinfects minor surgical and clinical supplies and instrumentation by an appropriate means for the material being cleaned.   Assembles minor surgical instrument sets and supplies according to established guidelines or as directed.  Packages supplies and sets for sterilization.  Operates steam sterilizers and ultrasonic cleaner.  Maintains sterility of surgical supplies and instruments through proper storage and rotation.  Knowledge of sterilization methodology and microbiology as it relates to cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization in the surgical environment is preferred.  Cleans hospital, hallways, medication and special diet prep areas, and satellite clinical procedure rooms in accordance with published guidelines or as directed. The candidate will perform any other duties which are deemed necessary by unit or facility leadership.

 

Observation and Records:

Documents medication disbursement in writing and utilizes the electronic database to document procedures or observations under the guidance of a CVT or DVM where applicable.  Recognizes familiar medications and exhibits familiarity with standardized medical terminology and nomenclature; able to communicate and record patient information in appropriate formats.  Checks clinical medication cases for signs of abnormal behavior, illness, or injury; records information necessary to document adequate clinical care; and reports observed findings to a veterinary technician or veterinarian.

 

Other duties may include administrative tasks such as inventory management, scheduling, and other tasks as requested by departmental leadership, veterinarians or leads to support the department

Education:

• Must have High School Diploma or GED

Experience:

• Four years of experience in the healthcare of experimental animals in a research setting and certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at the Lab Animal Technician level (LAT) or ability to obtain certification following 12 months of employment

        OR

• Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) [no experience required]

        OR

• Three years of experience in the care of experimental animals in a research setting or certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at Lab Animal Technologist level (LATG) or ability to obtain certification following 12 months of employment

        OR

• An equivalent combination of training and experience.

 

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Professional and service-oriented attitude
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
• Ability to consistently interact with research investigative staff, supervisors and co-workers in a positive and contructive manner
• 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 use computer keyboard
• Ability to read, write, and follow oral and written isntructions
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and/or written formats with both technical and professional staff

Registrations, Certifications and/or Licenses:

• Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science

        OR

• Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) (no experience required)  
• A valid Driver's License and the ability to drive DCM/ONPRC vehicles on and off campus.
• Must be able to complete an FBI security risk assessment

Compliance:

• Code of conduct
• Respect in the workplace
• Applicable policies, procedures and agreements related to position, department or OHSU as a whole

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in related field preferred

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• Ability to 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
• Ability to work where there is risk of exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals and sanitizing chemicals. 
• Work may include working inside an ABSL 3 facility
• Normal work schedule is 7:30am – 4:00pm, Monday - Friday
• Ability to work overtime as needed and can be mandatory when necessary

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & EQUIPMENT USAGE:

• Requires the ability to move unassisted through various animal housing areas located in several separate buildings
• Work areas are indoor and outdoor (including covered areas that are not environmentally controlled) in order to make animal observations
•  Moving on wet and/or slick surfaces, through narrow corridors between rows of cages, and climbing stairs to corral observation platforms
• Ability to consistently interact with research investigative staff, supervisors and co-workers, in a positive and constructive manner
• 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 use computer keyboard
• 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
• Ability to read, write, and follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and/or written formats with both technical and professional staff
• Ability to learn computerized medical programs and perform data input
• This position must be able to work in an ABSL-3.

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.