Veterinary Research/Health Technician 1

Department Overview

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.

Function/Duties of Position

The Vet Research/Health Technician 1 assists in providing research support, clinical health care, and husbandry for a variety of non human primates. This is the first level of a three level series. It is distinguished from the higher levels by increased concentration on routine care and reduced responsibility for providing intermediate to complex animal care and procedures under specialized projects which require increased attention to research criteria. It is distinguished from the Lab Animal Technician series by the emphasis on research support and health care of animals.

 

Research Support Services

• Under supervision, performs technical skills in support of a variety of investigative needs including but not limited to phlebotomy or following fasting protocols.
• May communicate and interact with scientific staff to accomplish their needs.
• May assist with the management of and coordination of tasks to meet research needs.

Animal Health Care 

• Evaluates new and ongoing clinical cases. 
• Provides basic treatments within clinical guidelines or as determined by the Attending Veterinarian or their designees which may include but is not limited to medication administration or recovery from IV fluid therapy. 
• Triages which cases may require immediate attention or complex individual or colony-level care, in addition to case management through routine practices including but not limited to clinical release weights. 
• Prioritizes animal health assessment, such as DVM night checks, based on case evaluation of the reported clinical condition.

Animal Husbandry and General Maintenance

• Provides husbandry for research animals.
• 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 observed health findings per standard reporting process.
• Records completion of daily required area-level care activities.

Other

• Drives department vehicles on campus.
• Assists in the loading and unloading of animals.
• Animal capture and care.
• Unloading and storing feed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED, AND
• Six months experience providing paid or voluntary care for animals.
• Possession of a valid Driver's License and ability to drive DCM/ONRPC vehicles on and off campus as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Professional and service-oriented attitude.
• 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 read, write, and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and/or written formats with both technical and professional staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field preferred.

• Experience in the health care of research animals.
• 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.

• Certification by the A