Veterinary Technician

The individual will serve as a Veterinary Technician within the Division of Laboratory and Animal Resources (DLAR). The individual will:
• assist DLAR veterinarians with the provision of veterinary medical care and maintenance of animal colony health,
• provide animal study support and perform animal technical procedures under the direction of a veterinarian, and
• periodically provide animal husbandry and care or cage wash support to meet the operational needs of the facility.

The preferred candidate will have a college degree in animal science or a similar biological science, certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS), completion of an AVMA CVTEA accredited veterinary technician program and have a licensed, certified, or registered veterinary technician status.

The successful candidate must demonstrate strong attention to detail, interpersonal communication, customer service, and organizational skills.

The position requires ability to: work some weekends, evenings, and holidays, travel to multiple buildings in a timely manner, pass criminal, Drug Enforcement Act (DEA[AC2.1]) and social background checks, and possibly obtain Child Protection Clearances and/or Select Agent Clearances, and successfully enrollment in the University of Pittsburgh Animal Exposure Surveillance Program, and other medical surveillance/immunization programs, as dictated by the current research activities.

Vaccination and/or TB testing may be required. 

Provides support to veterinarians, fellow technicians, and researchers to provide laboratory animal care and research support, daily monitoring of animal well-being, and cleaning and maintenance of clinical areas. Assists with procedures, provides surgical and anesthesia support, triages cases, performs medical imaging, administers medications, and other various related duties. Maintains documentation and ensures compliance with all applicable regulations. Orders and maintains supply inventory.

Essential Functions 

The employee must be able to:

• Perform veterinary technician skills and procedures,

• 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 (including euthanasia), safely handle and restrain animals, and operate and maintain facility equipment and supplies,

• Negotiate around equipment within close quarters, and move between rooms, workspaces, and facilities,

• Work with a variety of animal species, biohazards, chemical and radiation hazards, and wear personal protective equipment (PPE),

• Work directly with live or dead animals and clean or soiled bedding and caging,

• 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) and DLAR systems (ex: CAMs),

• Read, understand, and follow DLAR and other institutional guidance documents (SOPs, policies), including IACUC approved animal protocols,

• Follow written and verbal instructions,

• Accurately and effectively communicate in English, verbally and in writing,

• Work variable scheduled during on-call coverage, and some weekends and evenings and holidays, as required to support research operations, and

• Travel between DLAR facilities in a timely manner.

The employee must be able to:

• Stand for extended periods of time throughout most 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 equipment to move heavier objects or weights exceeding 50 pounds,

• Perform repetitive motion tasks that involve pushing, pulling, reaching, and/or bending, and

• Physically handle and restrain a variety of small and large laboratory animals.