Research Associate

21-May-2024

Radiology and Biomedical Imaging

87918BR

University Job Title

Research Associate 1, MS

Bargaining Unit

None - Not included in the union (Yale Union Group)

Compensation Grade

Clinical & Research

Compensation Grade Profile

Research Associate 1 MS (22)

Wage Ranges

Click here to see our Wage Ranges

Searchable Job Family

Miscellaneous, Research Res Support, Research/Support

Total # of hours to be worked:

37.5

Work Week

Standard (M-F equal number of hours per day)

Work Location

Medical School Campus

Worksite Address

300 Cedar Street
New Haven, CT 06510

Position Focus:

Reporting to the Director of CMIT, this position will manage animal care and assist in research procedures that include anesthesia, surgery, interventional and imaging procedures, and post-operative care. With the latitude for professional discretion and judgment, this position will supervise the daily operations of the CMIT veterinary medicine with a focus on anesthesia and surgery.

General duties of this position include supervision of staff, provide specialized technical assistance with anesthesia or surgical technique to and/or performing procedures for investigators in order to facilities research; oversight of the development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and of the anesthesia and surgical training for staff. Identity and implement methods to continually enhance operational efficiency, consistency, and effectiveness of the operations within the Unit.

The veterinary service operates 24 hours per day, 365 days a year and, thus, requires the manager to work and/or be available for extended hours including evening, weekends, and holidays. This includes the care of post-operative animals if technician support is not available or not adequate for the level of care required. Must Pass YARC (Yale Animal Resource Center) Clearance.

Duties for this position include but are not limited to: Provide specialized clinical support for surgical procedures and supervise the surgical suite(s) staff including both veterinary and research personnel. As part of the veterinary team provide pre-, intra-, and post-operative support, including administration of analgesia and anesthesia.

Read, interpret and understand surgical research protocols.

Set-up, maintain, and troubleshoot various anesthetic (e.g., ventilator, IV pumps, syringe pumps), monitoring (oxygen saturation, body temperature, capnograph, EKG, direct/indirect blood pressure) and surgical (cautery, suction, thermal support devices, etc.) equipment.

Communicate quickly and effectively to the team during procedures as it relates to the anesthesia and animal’s welfare. Oversee workflow and ensure timelines as well as policies and procedures are adhered to. As needed, participate directly in surgical procedures (scrub-in). Provide supplementary clinical support.

Assist in the performance of diagnostic procedures, including sample collection and radiography (dental and standard x-rays). Perform maintenance and quality assurance on in-house analyzers (e.g., Heska EPOC, VetStat, Siemens DCA Vantage). Oversee the use and maintenance of diagnostic imaging equipment, including safety and technique training, receiving/exchanging dosimeters, and ensuring images are uploaded to the picture archiving and communication system.

Dispense and/or administer medications. Administer controlled drugs according to University, State and Federal regulations. Assist with the management of controlled drugs under multiple licenses, including the following: ordering, receiving, distributing, taking inventory, coordinating drug destructions, updating controlled drug SOPs, and assisting with DEA inspections.

Provide instruction regarding treatment to the veterinarian team, animal care team and research staff.

Perform animal euthanasia.

Participate in surgical start-up meetings and suggest improvements as needed. Coordinate pre-operative meetings and delegate responsibilities to the surgical team. Advise investigators on problems with animal experimentation, including post-operative care and complications with experimental procedures.

Participate in training of techs, veterinarians and staff on anesthesia monitoring, surgical procedures, and maintenance of the surgical equipment/space.

Participate in ensuring that health practices are in compliance with quality assurance, health and safety procedures as well as federal and state standards, laws and policies.

Essential Duties

1. Recommends the design and implementation of procedures and protocols under the direction of a higher-level authority. 2. Investigates, analyzes, and reaches preliminary scientific conclusions related to research planning. 3. Ensures data results are compiled, analyzed, and presented properly. 4. Analyzes, develops and interprets scientific results. Maintains clear documentation of results. Prepares scientific reports and papers for research proposals and published reports. 5. Performs independent research and laboratory techniques and participates in experimental research planning. 6. Interacts with internal contacts including the PI, research assistants, graduate students, Radiation Safety and Biological Safety officers, and Animal Care personnel to discuss and evaluate research results and to ensure the smooth and safe operation of the laboratory. 7. Interacts with external contacts such as researchers at other institutions, staff at biotechnology and reagents companies to consult on research methods and to keep abreast of product information and developments. 8. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Master’s Degree in a scientific discipline and one year experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Skill/Ability 1:

Ability to regularly exercise independent judgment and teach others in surgery with regards to anesthetic monitoring during various major surgeries.

Required Skill/Ability 2:

Demonstrate leadership ability with the health care team and to provide work guidance, instruction, or orientation of others.

Required Skill/Ability 3:

Thorough knowledge of advanced veterinary technology, procedures, and protocols, principles of aseptic surgery and maintenance of asepsis in the OR. Knowledge of various sterilization techniques and sterilization equipment maintenance and quality assurance (e.g., glass bead sterilizer, autoclave, ethylene oxide).

Required Skill/Ability 4:

Excellent writing, organizational and communication skills. Excellent time management skills, ability to multi-task, and ability to work well under pressure. CT driver’s license required.

Required Skill/Ability 5:

Knowledge of various surgical instruments, suture types, and needle types. Oversee the surgical instrument and pack inventory in surgical suites and treatment rooms. Mastery of arterial line placement and maintenance. Ability to lift, push, and pull 50 pounds, good manual dexterity, and the ability to stand for prolonged periods of time. 

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills:

Laboratory Animal Technologist Certification (AALAS). Certified Veterinary Technician (or equivalent). Veterinary Technician Specialist designated by 1.) Academy of Laboratory Animal Technicians and Nurses, 2.) Academy of Veterinary Surgical Technicians, or 3.) Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Anesthesia and Analgesia.

Weekend Hours Required?

Occasional

Evening Hours Required?

Occasional

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

The University maintains policies pertaining to COVID-19. All faculty, staff, students, and trainees are required to comply with these policies, which may be found here:
https://covid19.yale.edu/health-guidelines

Posting Disclaimer

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments.

EEO Statement:

University policy is committed to affirmative action under law in employment of women, minority group members, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans. Additionally, in accordance with Yale’s Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment, and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale’s Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus