Auxiliary Animal Care Technician

Job Title
Auxiliary Animal Care Technician

Department
Research Support | Centre for Comparative Medicine | Animal Care Services

Posting End Date
April 18, 2024

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

Full-time during training (6-8 weeks). Casual, on-call ongoing based on seniority, operational needs and availability of employee. Employee must provide a minimum of 1 shift per week availability. Shifts are not guaranteed.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career. 

Job Summary

This position is responsible for directly supporting the animal-based research community within the University of British Columbia by providing high level animal care in working closely with the Clinical Veterinarians and Animal Care Teams. The Animal Care Technician (ACT) will provide facility support within the Centre for Comparative Medicine, including cage processing, laundry and general facility maintenance.

The Centre for Comparative Medicine (CCM) is a rapidly growing and dynamic environment in which staff partner with researchers from both academia and industry. The research encompasses a broad range of topics from furthering our understanding of basic medical sciences, to enhancing our abilities to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease in human and non-human animals.

CCM Technicians are responsible for the daily maintenance and care of specific species of large laboratory animals. The position requires thorough knowledge of working with animals exposed to hazardous and bio-hazardous agents, and radioactive compounds. Due to the work involving the use of potentially hazardous material, the use of personal protective equipment, annual TB testing, and adherence to strict safety protocols is expected.

The work environment is technically complex with the use of computerized large animal anesthesia machines, diagnostic laboratory equipment, specialized surgical equipment, and digital environmental monitoring tools.
The individual must be able to lift up to 25 kgs several times throughout the day and work in an environment that requires continuous walking, bending, stooping, reaching, twisting, turning and use of a pallet jack. Work schedules can include evenings, weekends and holidays.

Orientation and training will be provided on the job.

Organizational Status

This position reports to the CCM Supervisor and may take direction from the CCM Assistant Supervisor. ACTs work closely with the Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) and UBC veterinarians.

CCM is a multi-species facility specialized in supporting animal research at UBC through surgical support, training, diagnostic and pathology support as well as housing. As part of UBC Animal Care Services (ACS), the largest animal care program in Western Canada and the second largest in Canada, CCM is responsible for providing research support to the animal based research community associated with the University of British Columbia and its affiliates through its veterinary services team, the compliance team, the training team, the procurement team and its facilities. ACS is committed to providing excellence in research support to all UBC researchers with accountability, communication, cooperation, customer service and integrity. ACS reports to the Vice President Research & Innovation.
Work Performed
Provides husbandry and technical services in cooperation with the CCM Supervisor and Animal Care Technicians by:
 

Provide consistent, high quality and compassionate care to all animals in accordance with the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) guidelines and established research protocols.
 

Maintaining and sanitizing assigned animal rooms, performing appropriate decontamination methods and procedures, including mixing of appropriate cleaning solutions and chemicals to disinfect and sanitize bottles, pails, pans, cages, pens and entire work area.
 

Changing animal cages, placing fresh bedding materials, feed and water in animal cages/pens as needed.

Operating a bedding vacuum system, bottle filling system, high pressure spray units and autoclaves.
Operating rack and tunnel washers.
Prioritizing laundry tasks and treat soiled laundry to produce clean linen, when required.
Cleaning of cages, accessories, bottles, carts, and racks.
General housekeeping, including disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste.
Cleaning and general upkeep of the facility.
Assembling clean caging units.
Performing and reporting periodic minor maintenance, adjustment, repair, and setup tasks of facility related equipment to support facility activities.
Conducting inventory of consumable supplies as required for cage and laundry processing.
Ensuring equipment is available and ready at appropriate times, including receiving and unpacking of supplies.
Follow all safety standards, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and policies.
Treat confidentially all information related to research projects, personnel, and locations and agrees not to disclose any such information to any person except as may be necessary in the proper discharge of work obligations.
May participate as an active member on the CCM Safety Committee.
Perform other related tasks as required.
Consequence of Error/Judgement
Initiative and oversight will be needed to supervise maintenance and stocking activities of medical supplies in the work area. This person must be willing to pay attention to details, be aware of pitfalls and be willing to repeat tasks if necessary. Most of the procedures will require following a protocol already in place. However, there is room for innovative thinking to improve upon existing protocols and provide input into the direction of the project. These positions are expected to exercise some initiative and judgment in establishing priorities and carrying tasks through to completion; new or unusual problems would be referred to supervisor. Incorrect decisions could result in deterioration of animal health, including mortality, and/or disruption or ruination of a research study. Inappropriate judgment exercised by the position may impact the success of the facility, leading to increased expenses and time loss. Inappropriate judgment concerning the use of controlled substances could lead to legal action against the University or revoking of provincial licenses currently held by the University veterinarians.
Supervision Received
Works under general supervision in carrying out familiar phases of duties and responsibilities; receives instructions during orientation and on subsequent new assignments or changes in procedures.

Supervision Given
May distribute work assignments to employees at lower classification levels and initiate new employees into routines, procedures and operation of equipment.
Minimum Qualifications
High school graduation, some additional training in a related field and a minimum two years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline or graduation from a technical college or institute. Veterinary Office Assistant diploma or CALAS Registered Laboratory Animal Technician (RLAT). Experience working in a CL2 environment. Working with industry an asset. Must demonstrate a sound theoretical and working knowledge of the principles and practice of laboratory animal science and working knowledge of veterinary technology, biomedical research, medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and intensive/critical care.

Effective oral and written communication, interpersonal, organizational and problem-solving skills.

Ability to work both independently and within a team environment.

Ability to work weekends, evenings and statutory holidays.

Ability to be thorough, accurate, and have a high level of attention to detail.

Ability to perform the physical demands of the job including: working in humid environments with varying temperatures; continuous exposure to animal dander, odors, excreta, dust, and noise, including potentially lethal pathogens and radioisotopes.

Be able to walk and stand for extended periods, lift, carry, and move up to 25 kg objects over a distance.

Perform repetitive tasks. Good manual dexterity, mobility, auditory, olfactory, and visual skills.

Ability to operate job-related equipment.

Ability to effectively use software at a moderate level (e.g., Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, MOSAIC, Workday).

Ability to read and comprehend technical material.

Be willing to maintain and upgrade training. Ability to train others.

Ability to understand and apply policies, SOPs, instructions and applicable Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) guidelines.

Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.

Ability to listen actively and attentively, and obtain clarification as required.

Ability to deal with a diversity of people in a calm, courteous, and effective manner. Ability to work toward consensus and resolve differences.

Ability to demonstrate a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships. Ability to resolve complaints and interpersonal conflict in a calm, non-confrontational manner, and by exercising sound judgment.

Ability to exercise tact and discretion.