Animal Care Technician
Job Description
This full time (40 hour) position involves caring for laboratory animals used in teaching and research activities within the TRACSS Unit (Teaching & Research Animal Care Support Services-the non client animal facility) at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. The job requires strict adherence to protocols that prevent the accidental introduction of disease or confounding research variables. Mistakes in judgment and imprecise conduct of duties may have far reaching financial and professional impacts on teaching and research projects. Duties include cleaning, feeding, watering and general husbandry of all animals (farm animals, dogs, cats, and rodents). This position will also be responsible for training researchers in animal procedures and regulatory compliance, performing medical interventions such as administration of medications or sterile fluids to animals, collecting blood and tissue samples, identification methods and sex determination of various species of laboratory animals, implementing veterinary instructions, determining supply needs, identifying equipment and facility dysfunctions and reporting to a supervisor for repair, collecting and processing biological samples for diagnostic purposes and preventive health programs, performing work to accreditation standards of the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC), maintaining and documenting quality control standards for sterilization equipment and other records, observing and reporting on the health of animals, and exercising judgment in monitoring animals or seeking veterinary consultation for animals maintained within TRACSS. This position does includes an on-call component, as well as some after-hours, weekends, and holidays.
Required Qualifications
Previous experience handling, restraining and providing basic veterinary care to animals, especially horses, cows, pigs, dogs, cats, and rodents; previous experience in animal husbandry; knowledge of health care procedures for animals; excellent organizational, time management and communication skills; ability to independently prioritize and order assigned daily tasks; demonstrated ability to work flexibly with team members to accomplish department goals; demonstrated ability to recognize abnormal behavior and clinical signs in laboratory animals, generate a basic rule-out list for common disorders, and determine when a veterinarian should be consulted.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelors degree in Animal Science/ Biology/ related field of study, or an equivalent of educational training and experience. AALAS certification as an AALAS technician and/or AALAS technologist. Previous experience driving/pulling goose-neck or bumper pull trailers.
Pay Band
3
Salary Information
Pay band 3-Salary: Commensurate with experience
Review Date
March 9, 2020
Additional Information
The successful Candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check
About Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech is a public land-grant university, committed to teaching and learning, research, and outreach to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world. Building on its motto of Ut Prosim (that I may serve), Virginia Tech is dedicated to InclusiveVT—serving in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence. We seek candidates who adopt and practice the Principles of Community, which are fundamental to our on-going efforts to increase access and inclusion, and to create a community that nurtures learning and growth for all of its members. Virginia Tech actively seeks a broad spectrum of candidates to join our community in preparing leaders for the world.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
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