Research Technician II, DLAR Vet Services

School of Medicine

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Special Conditions of Employment

Working Schedule

• Must be able to work a flexible working schedule based on workload and deadlines.

• Must be able to work assigned standard schedules, including (but not limited to) Mon-Fri, Wed-Sun, and Tue-Sat shifts.

• Must be able to work on rotating on-call duties after hours and on weekends.

Occupational Health and Safety

As a safeguard for the employee and the animals, medical examinations and risk assessments are performed.  Some immunizations or further diagnostics may be required prior to working with specific animals or animal populations as determined by occupational health medical personnel, including, but not limited to:

• TB testing and clearance;

• Hepatitis B (proof of immunization and/or vaccination);

• Rabies (proof of immunization and/or vaccination);

• Tetanus (current vaccination less than 10 years);

• Measles (proof of immunization and/or vaccination);

• Periodic physical examinations including respiratory fit tests;

• Other vaccines or testing as required by EOHW standards.

Hazard Exposure

The animal facility has a variety of environmental conditions. Specifically, employees may be exposed to potentially hazardous noise, dust, chemicals, extreme heat, and animal waste products. The duration of exposure to any of the above is dependent on assigned duties. Some aspects of this position may expose the incumbent to potentially zoonotic and other biohazardous agents. Appropriate protective clothing and equipment may be required and will be provided when required, accompanied by appropriate training.

Work Performed

• Monitors health status surveillance for all species within the DLAR census. Serves as liaison to the Veterinarian in providing health care to the animals; administers daily treatments and medications for animals as instructed or required; assists in or provides routine and emergency medical treatment.

• Regularly attends various veterinary rounds and departmental meetings as directed.

• Provides or places permanent IDs and/or replacement IDs to animals that require it.

• Responsible for general facility maintenance and upkeep; cleans and sterilizes instruments and equipment; restocks supplies in procedure and operating rooms.

• Assists with maintaining semi-annual, annual, and monthly schedules of vaccines, weights/nail trims, new arrivals exams, and other similar recurring events for multiple species in accordance with the DLAR health calendar.

• Assists with implementing activities to meet the behavioral and enrichment needs of various species including but not limited to behavioral assessments, socialization, operant training, NHP cage safety, etc. as assigned.

• Assists in the veterinary diagnostic laboratory, performing routine hematologic and parasitological tests as needed.

• Schedules and attends pre-study meetings that involve DLAR support services. Provides feedback with protocol amendments/changes, etc.

• Interacts with the Director of Learning and Development and the vet staff involving any changes to SOPs as it relates to any technical, surgical, and/or enrichment responsibilities.

• Provides backup support for anesthesia/surgical, rodent, and enrichment/behavior services.

• Ensures DLAR stays in compliance with Institutional Policies related to all animal activities. This includes IACUC, OLAW, USDA, and AAALAC Intl. policies.

• Determines and sets up instruments, materials, and apparatus and operates complex laboratory equipment required for specific tests.

• Ensures complete and accurate maintenance of all animal records.

• Performs on-call requirements as assigned which includes weeknights, weekends, and holiday rotations. Position is “Essential” as defined by Duke University's Severe Weather Policy.

Training

• Participates in technical training in the activities performed by DLAR vet services technicians.

• Participates in outreach with research laboratories through brown bag seminars, Mouse IACUC Workshops, and others as needed.

Budget and Recharges

• Performs responsible tracking and submission of service requests invoices and recharges to the veterinary services manager and other parties.

Record Keeping

• Maintains appropriate documentation for all duties following all applicable departmental, institutional, local, state, and federal laws, regulations, policies, guidelines, and SOPs, and based on contemporary professional standards.

Professional Conduct and Behavior

• Demonstrates professional conduct and behavior at all times when performing job duties and rendering services to the scientific community, especially as they relate to customer service, attendance and punctuality, respectful demeanor and interactions, professional language and communications, appropriate effort and initiative, accountability and integrity, boundary maintenance and confidentiality, emotional self-regulation and responsiveness to feedback.

• Maintains professional standards and adheres to all federal, state and university regulations and policies regarding the use of animals in research while when performing job duties.

• Fosters teamwork and collegiality between the various groups of DLAR and the scientific community.

Others

• Performs other related duties incidental to the work described herein as assigned by the supervisor based on operational needs.

Skills

Clinical observations & evaluations of animal health status; assist in surgery; anesthetize and intubate dogs/cats; administer daily treatments and medications; basic animal restraint techniques (excluding primates); basic diagnostic lab techniques; basic radiograph techniques; participate in enrichment plan; anesthetize and intubate swine; basic NHP’s restraint techniques; large animal technical skills; rodent, guinea pig, rabbit, etc. health evaluation and treatments; ability to follow and enhance enrichment plan for NHP and other species; manage and maintain the organization, scheduling, development, documentation, etc. for the given project; regularly assess the progression of the project; consistently meet service expectations in terms of timeliness and customer appreciation.

DLAR Refining Skills

Large animal handling skills; rodent, guinea pig, rabbit, etc. handling; phlebotomy; placing catheters; preparing surgical packs; intensive care and emergency care; antibody production process; able to train PI staff in lab animal technical skills; interact more professionally and knowledgeably w/ high risk, high visibility groups.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Work generally requires a bachelor's degree in botany, biology, zoology, psychology or other directly related scientific field.

Experience

None required above education/training requirement. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Job Code: 00000951 RESEARCH TECHNICIAN II
Job Level: 08

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.