Lab Animal Care Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Oregon National Primate 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 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.

The Veterinary Research/Health Technician 2 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 lower level by increased responsibility for providing intermediate to complex animal care and support for specialized projects that require attention to detailed research criteria. At this level, there is less concentration on routine care. It is distinguished from the Lab Animal Technician series by the emphasis on research support and health care of animals.

Research Support Services

• Performs technical skills and procedures in support of a variety of clinical and investigative needs including but not limited to coordinated dental prophylaxis.
• Communicates and interacts with scientific staff to accomplish their needs.
• Manages and coordinates large volume of tasks to meet research needs such as physical exams.

Animal Health Care

• Evaluates new and ongoing clinical cases.
• Provides basic to complex treatments within clinical guidelines or as determined by the Attending Veterinarian or their designee. Treatments include but are not limited to monitoring anesthesia, bandage application, and mastitis treatment.
• Establishes treatment plans for routine cases like IV fluid therapy.
• Determines which cases need immediate care, and which can be managed through routine practices. 
• Prioritizes animal health assessment based on reported clinical condition (i.e. clinical daily observation sheets).

Animal Husbandry

• Provides husbandry support for research animals.

General Maintenance

• Cleans and sanitizes animal care areas and equipment and operates mechanical washing equipment.
• Restock clinical supplies.
• Maintains sterility of surgical supplies and instruments through proper storage and rotation. Cleans and disinfects minor surgical and clinical supplies.

Observation and Records 

• Checks animals daily for signs of abnormal behavior, illness, or injury.
• Records information necessary to support the research protocols and animal health.
• Reports animal health issues or observed findings per standard animal health notification processes.
• Records completion of daily required area-level care activities for work performed.

Miscellaneous

• Drive vehicles around the campus.
• Assists in loading and unloading animals.
• Animal capture and care.
• Unloading and storing feed.
• Assists in training both new and incumbent department employees and others.
• Other duties as assigned.

• High School diploma or GED.

• Two years of experience caring for animals in a research setting and certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at the Assistant Lab Animal Technician level (ALAT) or ability to obtain certification following 12 months of employment. OR

• One year of experience caring for animals in a research setting and certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at the Lab Animal Technician level (LAT) or ability to obtain certification following 12 months of employment. OR

• An equivalent combination of training, certification, and experience.

• Valid Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Professional and service-oriented attitude.
• Interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Ability to consistently interact with research investigative staff, supervisors and co-workers in a positive and constructive manner.
• Ability to use proper techniques to perform standard clinical procedures.
• Dexterity and manual skills. 
• Ability to use the computer keyboard to type.
• 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.

• Bachelor's degree in related field.

• Three years of experience in the healthcare of research animals.

• Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at the Lab Animal Technician level (LAT).

• Experience as a veterinary technician or assistant.

• Experience with handling and administering medications through various routes.
• Pharmaceutical drug and controlled drug knowledge.
• Knowledge of standardized medical terminology and nomenclature.
• Knowledgeable in clinical inventory, supplies, and equipment.
• Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT).

Training schedule is typically 7:30-4:00pm, Monday-Friday. Regular schedule will be evening shift 12:30pm - 9pm. Regular work schedule is 4 weekdays and one weekend shift. 

Weekly work schedules established by DCM managerial staff, including voluntary and involuntary weekend and holiday work schedules. Ability to work overtime as needed.

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 care 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; and 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.

Physical Demands

• 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 (50lbs).
• Ability to lift objects weighing approximately 19 kg (42lbs) 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.
• $50K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee.
• Two separate above market pension plans to choose from.
• Vacation - up to 200 hours per year dependent on length of service.
• Sick Leave - up to 96 hours per year.
• 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 national businesses.