Oregon Health & Science University

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, a pond, and 2-mile perimeter walking path. Our 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, preventions, treatments, and cures of debilitating diseases.

Function/Duties of Position

The Veterinary Research/Health Technician 1 assists in providing clinical care and husbandry for a variety of laboratory research primates. This is the second level of a three level series. It is distinguished from the higher levels in that the primary function of this position is clinical and surgical medication distribution and preparation, departmental maintenance (cleaning and stocking duties) with less of a focus on performing higher level clinical skills. Routine clinical skills such as phlebotomy, injectible anesthesia, and patient duties as directed by a CVT or DVM are a standard part of this role, but in general, this role requires significantly more active oversight with regard to clinical duties in comparison to higher levels.. Duties must be performed in a professional manner and require contact with investigative staff. The area of work assignment and specific tasks will vary, depending on veterinary care requirements, service requirements, and staffing needs, during regular and non-regular working hours, including weekends, holidays, or on an overtime basis.

1. Animal Health Care Services:

• Prepare and distribute prescribed medications for all laboratory animals campus wide
• Participate in general animal health surveillance by observing animals in all housing configurations, recognizing abnormalities in physical condition or Perform animal health procedures such as weighing, TB testing, and blood collections
• Capture, restrain, identify, and sex common varieties of laboratory animals, and the transport animals in support of veterinary, husbandry or investigative procedures behavior, and reporting and recording observations to the clinical veterinarian or research staff 

2. General Maintenance: 

• Cleans and disinfects minor surgical and clinical supplies
• Restock clinical supply areas
• Maintains sterility of surgical supplies and instruments through proper storage and rotation
• Cleans hospital, hallways, medication and special diet prep areas, and satellite clinical procedure rooms
• Candidate will perform any other duties which are deemed necessary by clinic management

3. Observation and Records: 

• Documents medication disbursement in writing and utilizing the electronic database were applicable
• Recognize familiar medications as well familiar with standardized medical terminology and nomenclature
• Able to communicate and record patient information in appropriate formats
• Checks clinical medication cases for signs of abnormal behavior, illness, or injury and alerts CMU staff as necessary

4. Other duties as assigned to meet the goals of the Division

Required Qualifications

Education:

• High School diploma or GED

Experience:

• Six months experience providing paid or voluntary care for animals

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Professional and service-oriented attitude
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
• Ability to consistently interact with research investigative staff, supervisors and co-workers in a positive and contructive manner
• Ability to use proper techniques to safely perform standard clinical procedures (including ability to accurately calculate medication dosages)
• Possess sufficient dexterity and manual skills to safely perform (or learn to perform) basic animal husbandry and animal handling (using proper techniques)
• Ability to use computer keyboard; ability to read, write, and follow oral and written isntructions
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and/or written formats with both technical and professional staff

Registrations, Certifications and/or Licenses:

• A valid Driver's License and the ability to drive DCM/ONPRC vehicles on and off campus.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in related field preferred.

Experience:

• 18 months experience in the health care of experimental animals in a research setting and/or as a veterinary technician or assistant with experience handling and administering medications including injectable medications is highly preferred.

Registrations, Certifications and/or Licenses:

• Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician level (ALAT) within 12 months of employment.

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), in order 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 and sanitizing chemicals. 
• Schedule may include working inside an ABSL 3 facility. 
• Normal work schedule is 12:30p-9p, 5 days per week, including 1 weekend day each week (i.e. either Sunday – Thursday or Tuesday – Saturday).
• Ability to work overtime as needed and can be mandatory when necessary.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & EQUIPMENT USAGE:

• Requires Possession of a valid Driver’s License and ability to drive DCM/ONPRC vehicles on and off campus as required
• Ability to consistently interact with research investigative staff, supervisors and co-workers, in a positive and constructive manner, to provide research support in a professional manner, and with a service-oriented attitude
• Ability to use proper techniques to safely perform standard clinical procedures, including ability to accurately calculate medication dosages
• Possess sufficient dexterity and manual skills to safely perform (or learn to perform) basic animal husbandry and animal handling (using proper techniques)
• Ability to use computer keyboard
• Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 23 kg (50 lbs), and lift objects weighing approximately 19 kg (42 lbs) to approximately shoulder height
• Ability to push and pull heavy wheeled equipment such as cage racks and loaded carts
• Ability to read, write, and follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and/or written formats with both technical and professional staff
• Ability to learn computerized medical programs and perform data input

All are welcome

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.