Senior Animal Biosecurity Technician at University of Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Senior Animal Biosecurity Technician

DLAR-Veterinary Services - Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh - (26001328)

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

• Under the direction of a DLAR veterinarian, oversee the rodent quarantine program, collect and process samples, and maintain clinical records,
• Assist DLAR veterinarians with the provision of adequate medical and surgical care to a variety of laboratory animal species,
• Perform animal husbandry for quarantined animals,
• Conduct room and cage sanitization procedures,
• Coordinate and provide research studysupport,
• Monitor, track, and report animal census and billable services,
• Provide support to other program areas,

• Participate in the veterinary on-call rotation.

The preferred candidate will have graduated from an AVMA CVTEA accredited program, three years’ or greater professional experience working in a veterinary capacity, experience working with a variety of species, and licensed, certified, or registered veterinary technician status.

The position requires ability to: work some weekends, evenings, and holidays, travel to multiple buildings in a timely manner,pass criminal and social background checks, and successfully 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 berequired.

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

• Performveterinary technician skills and procedures,
• 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 animals, and operate and maintain facility equipment and supplies,
• Negotiate around equipment within close quarters, and move between rooms, workspaces,and facilities,
• 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 andcaging,
• Successfully enroll in the University of Pittsburgh Animal Exposure Surveillance Program (AESP) and other medical surveillance/immunization programs as dictated by current research activities,
• Receive vaccinations and health assessments, including TB testing,requiredto work in some animal holding or procedure areas,in accordance withDLAR and/or EH&S policies andpractices,
• Performcomputer skills including the ability toutilizecommon applications (e.g., email, Word, Excel) and DLAR systems (ex: CAMs),
• Read, understand, and follow DLAR and other institutional guidance documents (SOPs, policies), including IACUC approved animal protocols,
• Follow written and verbal instructions,
• Accuratelyand effectively communicate in English, verbally and in writing,
• Work variable scheduled during on-call coverage, and some weekends and evenings and holidays, as required to support research operations, and
• Must be able to travel between DLAR facilities in a timely manner.

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, and
• Physically handle and restrain a variety of small and large laboratory animals.

Assignment Category: Full-time regular

Job Classification: Staff.Senior Veterinary Technician

Job Family: Research

Job Sub Family: Animal Research

Campus: Pittsburgh

Minimum Education Level Required: High School Diploma/GED

Minimum Years of Experience Required: 1

Will this position accept substitution in lieu of education or experience: Combination of education and relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education and/ or experience requirement.

Additional details about Required Licensure/Certification: AALAS Certification at the Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) level required. External candidates will need to attain within 24 months.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7am - 4pm. Some weekends and holidays.

Work Arrangement: On-Campus: Teams that work on campus, in an office, or in a lab.

Hiring Range: Commensurate with experience.

Relocation_Offered: No

Visa Sponsorship Provided: No

Background Check: For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check

Child Protection Clearances: Not Applicable

Required Documents: Resume

Optional Documents: Not Applicable