GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION:

Under the supervision of the Veterinary Services Supervisor or designee, provides clinical and laboratory support in the research animal facilities including specimen collection, treatments, assisting with rodent breeding colony management, animal health rounds and some surgical assistance. This position is considered essential, and as such requires weekend, holiday, and off hours coverage as needed and/or on a rotating basis.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Observe, record, and report atypical findings of animal health or behavior, the environment and physical plant. These observations include, but are not limited to, sick animals, maintenance problems, safety hazards or inappropriate treatment of laboratory animals.
• Provide clinical treatments, administer drugs and fluids, collect body fluids, vaccinate and euthanize animals.
• Keep accurate departmental records of work activities and communications regarding clinical cases.
• Assess and monitor health of laboratory animals, as directed by the Supervisor of Veterinary Services, Staff Veterinarian and/or designee.
• Handle, restrain and sex various species of laboratory animals.
• Update animal room records as required, including census and cage card animal identification.
• Assist with veterinary care and diagnostic sample collections. 
• Assist with management of rodent breeding colonies.
• Assist in surgery as directed.  
• Assist in the collection of samples for the disease surveillance program and perform assigned diagnostic laboratory tests.
• Provide sanitation and disease control, as directed, in animal the facility; may require use of aseptic techniques in barrier rooms, quarantine, or clean housing systems.
• Provide care for animals treated with hazardous agents, including organisms and radioisotopes in the Bio-Containment Suite or other designated locations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• AS degree from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program and 0-1 years of full-time experience in laboratory animal science or related veterinary discipline                                                                                                        OR
• AS degree from a non-AVMA accredited veterinary or animal science program, or equivalent experience, with 1-3 years of full-time experience in laboratory animal science or related veterinary discipline
• American Association of Laboratory Science certification at the ALAT level must be obtained within 12 months of hire. It is expected that AALAS Registry be kept current.
• Computer proficiency and basic mathematical skills are required.

ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Bending, stooping, and lifting
• Use of minimum Personal Protective Equipment; scrubs, exam gloves, head cover, dust mask, shoe covers, and gowns is required.
• Must be able to shower as required to ensure that the facilities traffic pattern policy is adhered by.
• Must avoid all rodents as pets, and entrance into animal colonies, which might serve as a vector of disease introduction into the research animal facility.
• This position involves work around anesthetic gases.

• Additional requirements: Farm hand experience preferred; vet tech certification not required. Focus on large animal work including sheep, cows, and pigs. Frequent travel between The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School and Tufts Veterinary School. Frequent coordination with Tufts farm staff. Requires excellent organizational and communication skills. Involves heavy lifting of animals.

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