Clinical Veterinary Technician 1
Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, Portland, OR, United States
Clinical Veterinary Technician 1
Department Overview
The Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC) is located 12 miles west of the OHSU main campus, and sits on 162 acres of land featuring forested areas, research and administration buildings, indoor and outdoor animal housing, and a 2‑mile perimeter walking path. The mission is to improve human health and the quality of life through the support of nonhuman primate research programs that advance our knowledge of the causes, prevention, treatments, and cures of debilitating diseases.
Function/Duties of Position
The Clinical Veterinary Technician 1 assists in providing clinical care, nursing support and husbandry for a variety of laboratory research animals. This is the first level of a three‑level series, distinguished by increased oversight of clinical cases and focus on assisting surgical procedures. The role is supervised or guided by senior staff and veterinarians (DVMs), with an emphasis on animal health, training, and greater supervision. Work inside an ABSL3 facility is required.
Key Responsibilities & Performance Standards
Rounds/Triage
With oversight, evaluates new and ongoing clinical cases
Provides basic treatments within clinic guidelines or as determined by the attending veterinarian
Determines which cases need immediate care from the attending veterinarian, and which can be managed through routine practices
Nursing and Critical Care
Provides assistance and support in the assessment, treatment, and stabilization of patients with urgent medical needs
May independently stabilize patients while the veterinarian is en route
Provides ongoing care for patients with potentially life‑threatening illness or injury whose condition is likely to change moment to moment
Monitors recovery from sedation and patient care, including creation of medical records and administration of medications
Performs general nursing functions in the clinical hospital, hospitalized patient area, and animal housing facilities
Therapeutics
Performs standard clinical procedures on research animals including but not limited to checking for standard pathogens and treating as appropriate; venipuncture, intravenous and urethral catheter placement; medication dose calculations; administration of medications via intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intradermal and oral routes; body fluid and tissue collection; cleans, debrides, sutures, and bandages wounds; assists with dental manipulations; monitoring of animals receiving gas anesthetics
Observation and Records
Checks clinical cases daily for signs of abnormal behavior, illness, or injury
Records information necessary to document adequate clinical care and reports observed findings to veterinarians
Records requested environmental data; fills out death record on dead or euthanized animals
Animal Husbandry
Waters and feeds hospitalized animals as instructed
Captures, restrains and transports animals in support of investigative or veterinary procedures
Identifies sex
Weighs animals
General Maintenance
Cleanes and disinfects surgical and clinical supplies and instrumentation by an appropriate means for the material being cleaned
Assembles surgical instrument sets and supplies according to established guidelines or as directed
Maintains sterility of surgical supplies and instruments through proper storage and rotation
Maintains procedure rooms including but not limited to stocking, cleaning, expiration monitoring
Miscellaneous
May perform some of the following tasks—drive unit vehicles to provide support to animal care, identify animals, help with group‑housed processing, perform any duties which are deemed necessary by managerial staff
Required Qualifications
Education
High school diploma or GED
Experience
1 year experience caring for animals in a veterinary hospital including 6 months experience in a clinical position AND
State certification through the Veterinary Medical Examining Board as a Veterinary Technician AND
Certification by the American Association for Lab Animal Science at the Assistant Lab Animal Technician (ALAT) level within one year of employment
Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies)
Knowledgeable in standard medical terminology and nomenclature
Ability to communicate and record patient information as required
Manual dexterity, hand‑eye coordination, and fine motor skills to correctly perform clinical and technical procedures
Knowledge of veterinary and biological principles which underlie clinical illness
Knowledge of normal physiological parameters, normal growth and development, and typical disease processes
Knowledge of veterinary procedures and practices to determine appropriate actions during clinical case management
Ability to operate a variety of medical equipment used in clinical practice
Ability to obtain clear, diagnostic x‑rays using established medical techniques or standard procedures
Knowledge of methodology and microbiology as it relates to cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization
Veterinary nursing skills for intensive care patients
Ability to utilize personal protective equipment for cases requiring Animal Biosafety levels 2 & 3
Ability to interact in a positive and productive manner with veterinary, scientific, and technical staff in difficult or stressful situations
Intermediate level skills in Microsoft applications
Prioritization/triage
Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written formats
Registrations, Certifications and/or Licenses
Current state certification through the Veterinary Medical Examining Board
Valid Driver's License and the ability to drive DCM vehicles on and off campus
Preferred Qualifications
Education
AA in Veterinary Technology
Experience
Experience in the health care of experimental animals in a research setting
Experience working with USDA regulated research animals
Experience working in a surgical environment
Experience with dental procedures, ultrasound, radiology, or emergency medicine
Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies)
Advanced computer and Microsoft skills
Medical knowledge and clinical experience in the management of nonhuman primate illness
Skills from working in the surgical environment
Registrations, Certifications and/or Licenses
AALAS certification
Current state issued radiology license
Additional Details
Working Conditions
Requires the ability to move unassisted through various animal housing areas located in several separate buildings, indoor and outdoor, including covered areas that are not environmentally controlled, to make animal observations, perform animal husbandry tasks, handle, move, or restrain animals, collect samples, administer treatments, and perform other procedures. Includes moving on wet and/or slick surfaces, through narrow corridors between rows of cages, and climbing stairs to corral observation platforms
Ability to work in areas where there is risk of exposure to zoonotic agents through injury, by direct contact with animals or their tissues and body fluids, or by contact with equipment contaminated by animals or their tissues and body fluids
Ability to work where there is risk of exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals, radiation, and sanitizing chemicals
Work inside an ABSL 3 facility is required
Weekly work schedules established by DCM managerial staff, including voluntary and in‑voluntary weekend and holiday work schedules. Ability to work overtime as needed
Physical Demands & Equipment Usage
Requires ability to drive DCM vehicles on and off campus as required
Ability to walk and stand for continuous hours a day; ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 23 kg (50 lb)
Ability to lift objects weighing approximately 19 kg (42 lb) to approximately shoulder height
Ability to push and pull heavy wheeled equipment such as cage racks and loaded carts
Ability to learn and use computerized medical programs to perform data input and communication
Benefits
Healthcare for full‑time employees covered 100% and 88% for dependents
$50 k of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee
Two separate above‑market pension plans to choose from
Paid time off
9 paid holidays per year
Substantial Tri‑Met and C‑Tran discounts
Employee Assistance Program
Childcare service discounts
Tuition reimbursement
Employee discounts to local and major businesses
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Department Overview
The Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC) is located 12 miles west of the OHSU main campus, and sits on 162 acres of land featuring forested areas, research and administration buildings, indoor and outdoor animal housing, and a 2‑mile perimeter walking path. The mission is to improve human health and the quality of life through the support of nonhuman primate research programs that advance our knowledge of the causes, prevention, treatments, and cures of debilitating diseases.
Function/Duties of Position
The Clinical Veterinary Technician 1 assists in providing clinical care, nursing support and husbandry for a variety of laboratory research animals. This is the first level of a three‑level series, distinguished by increased oversight of clinical cases and focus on assisting surgical procedures. The role is supervised or guided by senior staff and veterinarians (DVMs), with an emphasis on animal health, training, and greater supervision. Work inside an ABSL3 facility is required.
Key Responsibilities & Performance Standards
Rounds/Triage
With oversight, evaluates new and ongoing clinical cases
Provides basic treatments within clinic guidelines or as determined by the attending veterinarian
Determines which cases need immediate care from the attending veterinarian, and which can be managed through routine practices
Nursing and Critical Care
Provides assistance and support in the assessment, treatment, and stabilization of patients with urgent medical needs
May independently stabilize patients while the veterinarian is en route
Provides ongoing care for patients with potentially life‑threatening illness or injury whose condition is likely to change moment to moment
Monitors recovery from sedation and patient care, including creation of medical records and administration of medications
Performs general nursing functions in the clinical hospital, hospitalized patient area, and animal housing facilities
Therapeutics
Performs standard clinical procedures on research animals including but not limited to checking for standard pathogens and treating as appropriate; venipuncture, intravenous and urethral catheter placement; medication dose calculations; administration of medications via intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intradermal and oral routes; body fluid and tissue collection; cleans, debrides, sutures, and bandages wounds; assists with dental manipulations; monitoring of animals receiving gas anesthetics
Observation and Records
Checks clinical cases daily for signs of abnormal behavior, illness, or injury
Records information necessary to document adequate clinical care and reports observed findings to veterinarians
Records requested environmental data; fills out death record on dead or euthanized animals
Animal Husbandry
Waters and feeds hospitalized animals as instructed
Captures, restrains and transports animals in support of investigative or veterinary procedures
Identifies sex
Weighs animals
General Maintenance
Cleanes and disinfects surgical and clinical supplies and instrumentation by an appropriate means for the material being cleaned
Assembles surgical instrument sets and supplies according to established guidelines or as directed
Maintains sterility of surgical supplies and instruments through proper storage and rotation
Maintains procedure rooms including but not limited to stocking, cleaning, expiration monitoring
Miscellaneous
May perform some of the following tasks—drive unit vehicles to provide support to animal care, identify animals, help with group‑housed processing, perform any duties which are deemed necessary by managerial staff
Required Qualifications
Education
High school diploma or GED
Experience
1 year experience caring for animals in a veterinary hospital including 6 months experience in a clinical position AND
State certification through the Veterinary Medical Examining Board as a Veterinary Technician AND
Certification by the American Association for Lab Animal Science at the Assistant Lab Animal Technician (ALAT) level within one year of employment
Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies)
Knowledgeable in standard medical terminology and nomenclature
Ability to communicate and record patient information as required
Manual dexterity, hand‑eye coordination, and fine motor skills to correctly perform clinical and technical procedures
Knowledge of veterinary and biological principles which underlie clinical illness
Knowledge of normal physiological parameters, normal growth and development, and typical disease processes
Knowledge of veterinary procedures and practices to determine appropriate actions during clinical case management
Ability to operate a variety of medical equipment used in clinical practice
Ability to obtain clear, diagnostic x‑rays using established medical techniques or standard procedures
Knowledge of methodology and microbiology as it relates to cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization
Veterinary nursing skills for intensive care patients
Ability to utilize personal protective equipment for cases requiring Animal Biosafety levels 2 & 3
Ability to interact in a positive and productive manner with veterinary, scientific, and technical staff in difficult or stressful situations
Intermediate level skills in Microsoft applications
Prioritization/triage
Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written formats
Registrations, Certifications and/or Licenses
Current state certification through the Veterinary Medical Examining Board
Valid Driver's License and the ability to drive DCM vehicles on and off campus
Preferred Qualifications
Education
AA in Veterinary Technology
Experience
Experience in the health care of experimental animals in a research setting
Experience working with USDA regulated research animals
Experience working in a surgical environment
Experience with dental procedures, ultrasound, radiology, or emergency medicine
Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies)
Advanced computer and Microsoft skills
Medical knowledge and clinical experience in the management of nonhuman primate illness
Skills from working in the surgical environment
Registrations, Certifications and/or Licenses
AALAS certification
Current state issued radiology license
Additional Details
Working Conditions
Requires the ability to move unassisted through various animal housing areas located in several separate buildings, indoor and outdoor, including covered areas that are not environmentally controlled, to make animal observations, perform animal husbandry tasks, handle, move, or restrain animals, collect samples, administer treatments, and perform other procedures. Includes moving on wet and/or slick surfaces, through narrow corridors between rows of cages, and climbing stairs to corral observation platforms
Ability to work in areas where there is risk of exposure to zoonotic agents through injury, by direct contact with animals or their tissues and body fluids, or by contact with equipment contaminated by animals or their tissues and body fluids
Ability to work where there is risk of exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals, radiation, and sanitizing chemicals
Work inside an ABSL 3 facility is required
Weekly work schedules established by DCM managerial staff, including voluntary and in‑voluntary weekend and holiday work schedules. Ability to work overtime as needed
Physical Demands & Equipment Usage
Requires ability to drive DCM vehicles on and off campus as required
Ability to walk and stand for continuous hours a day; ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 23 kg (50 lb)
Ability to lift objects weighing approximately 19 kg (42 lb) to approximately shoulder height
Ability to push and pull heavy wheeled equipment such as cage racks and loaded carts
Ability to learn and use computerized medical programs to perform data input and communication
Benefits
Healthcare for full‑time employees covered 100% and 88% for dependents
$50 k of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee
Two separate above‑market pension plans to choose from
Paid time off
9 paid holidays per year
Substantial Tri‑Met and C‑Tran discounts
Employee Assistance Program
Childcare service discounts
Tuition reimbursement
Employee discounts to local and major businesses
#J-18808-Ljbffr