Veterinary Services Training Program Leader

DLAR-Veterinary Services - Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh - (26001142)

The individual will serve as a Veterinary Services (VS) Training Program Leader within the Division of Laboratory and Animal Resources (DLAR). The individual will:

• Develop, implement, and oversee veterinary technical skills training programs,
• Ensure training aligns with divisional and researcher needs by defining and monitoring key metrics,
• Design train-the-trainer programs, and mentor and coach trainers to ensure instructional excellence,
• Deliver training using multiple instructional formats and adapt presentation styles to meet the needs of diverse learners,
• Liaise with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and other internal and external regulatory bodies,
• As directed by the IACUC and veterinarians, evaluate researchers’ technical skills competency when performing protocol approved veterinary technical and/or anesthesia procedures,
• Generate training program and skills competency reports and deliver to the IACUC and the Senior Vice Chancellor for Research’s Office,
• Through training program excellence, directly support and contribute to the University’s successful accreditation through the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC).

The successful candidate willpossess:

• Strong written and verbal skills to provide effective training and collaboration,
• Adaptability for working in different settings with a variety of people and teams,
• Attention to detail to ensure animal welfare and accurate research,
• Sound judgment and problem-solving ability while working in a clinical setting,
• Expertise in advanced techniques such as anesthesia, anesthesia monitoring, intubation, IV catheter placement, and use of analgesics,
• Experience and/or understanding of operating room techniques and equipment such as invasive blood pressure monitoring, ECG, ETCO2, mechanical ventilation, TIVA, infusion and syringe pumps, cautery, and suction,
• Ability to learn, evaluate and troubleshoot a variety or anesthetic equipment,
• Strong understanding of aseptic technique, suturing, and minor surgical procedures,
• Ability to give and gather feedback and provide recommendations in a tactful manner,
• Aptitude with various software programs, demonstrated customer service skills.

The preferred candidate will have:

• Three yearsof veterinary technician experience working with a variety of animals inresearch, clinical, or zoo setting,with at least two of those years with non-rodent mammalians,
• Graduationfrom an AVMA CVTEA accredited program, with licensed, certified, or registered veterinary technician status,
• Teachingexperience (informal or formal).

The position requires ability to work weekends and holidays, travel to multiple buildings in a timely manner,passing criminal and social background checks, and successful enrollment in the University of Pittsburgh Animal Exposure Surveillance Program and other medical surveillance/immunization programsas dictated by the current research activities.Vaccination and/or TB testing may berequired.No on-call duty is required.

Job Summary

Develops, implements, conducts, maintains, and coordinates training for multiple research entities, organizations, and other institutions. Contributes to solving complex, high-level issues within multi-disciplinary programs and leads both in-person and online training. Creates and evaluates training performance metrics, implements protocol revisions, and prepares project evaluations.

Essential Functions

The employee must:

• Read, understand, and follow DLAR and other institutional guidance documents (SOPs, policies), including IACUC approved animal protocols,
• follow written and verbal instructions,
• demonstrate sufficient fine motor skill to manipulate animals and equipment; negotiate around equipment within close quarters; move between rooms and workspaces,
• 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;
• Accurately and effectively communicate in English, verbally and in writing,
• 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, required to work in some animal holding or procedure areas, in accordance with DLAR and/or EH&S policies and practices;
• Perform computer skills including the ability to utilize common applications (e.g., email, Word, Excel);
• Perform veterinary technician skills and procedures.

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.

Assignment Category: Full-time regular

Job Classification: Staff.Research Training Coordinator

Job Family: Research

Job Sub Family: Research Program Support

Campus: Pittsburgh

Minimum Education Level Required: Bachelor's Degree

Minimum Years of Experience Required: 2

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: Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) at the Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) level. External candidates will need to attain within 36 months.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7AM-4PM, with occasional weekends, and evening hours required

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: The following PA Act 153 clearances and background checks are required prior to commencement of employment and as a condition of continued employment: PA State Police Criminal Record Check, FBI Criminal Record Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance.

Required Documents: Resume

Optional Documents: Not Applicable