Job Description Summary

To provide support within the Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR), including nursing
care for all laboratory animals at the Medical University of South Carolina and teaching basic
skills in aseptic technique, basic surgery, animal research techniques, and handling. These
activities will ensure minimal required knowledge of investigators, technicians, and students conducting research with animals.

Position requires the ability to work with minimal supervision and carry out specific medical orders. Requires the ability to independently triage new conditions and manage treatments and clinical cases across several species and situations with general supervision by their supervisor. Requires the ability to work and communicate cooperatively within a team to provide consistent veterinary care and research support.

Entity

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC - Univ)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Classified

Cost Center

CC001152 DLAR Division Of Laboratory Animal Resources

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Grade

University-05

Pay Range

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

1.1 Performing Veterinary Technician Duties/Clinical Observations Weight 35%.

• Performs daily clinical rounds, follow-up treatments, emergency and critical care, and post-surgical care for a wide variety of laboratory animal species involved in research protocols including weekends, after-hours, and holidays.
• Provide backup to the Surgical Research Laboratory Veterinary Technicians by performing peri- and intra-operative care of animals undergoing anesthesia and surgery.
• Provide backup to the Clinical Veterinary Technicians providing daily clinical rounds in the rodent facilities.
• Administer treatments to sick animals by various routes appropriate for the species using department protocol or standard of care (SOC) under the direction of staff clinical veterinarians.
• Collect samples as needed using appropriate techniques for the species and sample needed.
• Calculate drug doses and administer supplemental fluids to various lab animal species.

Maintain accurate medical records.

1.2 Research Support Duties Weight 30%.

• Assist research personnel in surgical procedures involving laboratory animals ensuring compliance with all departmental and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain operating rooms and support areas for surgical procedures.
• Maintain proficiency with all the equipment used in the O.R. and procedure spaces within DLAR including keeping them stocked, setting up, and breaking down from surgical procedures.
• Anesthetize and prep animals for surgery; maintain anesthetized animals, recover animals from anesthesia.
• Provide technical assistance during procedures.

Performs euthanasia for terminal procedures.

1.3 Administrative and Record-Keeping Weight 15%.

• Maintain accurate and complete clinical records for all species in a manner that complies with departmental and federal regulatory standards.
• Ensure timely follow-up of clinical cases by DLAR Veterinarians.
• Ensure treatment sheets and databases are accurate and up to date.
• Follow up with rodent clinical cases via email with DLAR Veterinarians and research personnel.

1.4 Enrichment Weight 10%.

Provide routine enrichment and socialization to USDA animals.

1.5 Training Weight 5%.

• Provide training for DLAR and research personnel in various rodent techniques including handling and restraint, injections, anesthesia, aseptic technique, and basic principles of surgery.

1.6 Other duties as assigned Weight 5%.

• Complete other duties as assigned.

Additional Job Description

Minimum Requirements: A bachelor's degree in animal husbandry, agriculture or a related field and four years of work experience that is directly related to the area of employment. Work experience that is directly related to the area of employment may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis. Certification in an animal care technology field may be required for positions overseeing the care of laboratory animals. Physical Requirements: (Note: The following descriptions are applicable to this section: Continuous - 6-8 hours per shift; Frequent - 2-6 hours per shift; Infrequent - 0-2 hours per shift) Ability to perform job functions in a seated position. (Continuous) Ability to climb using step stool. (Infrequent) Ability to work in temperature extremes (32° F to 100 ° F) when required due to assignments in cold rooms and/or foreign countries. (Infrequent) Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (Continuous) Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (Continuous) Ability to lift and carry 4 liter waste material bottles a distance of 30 feet, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lift and carry 25 lbs. to 30 lbs. jugs of liquid a distance of 100 feet, unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to file boxes from floor level to counter tops, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lift materials up to 20 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift 25 lbs. boxes from floor level to a maximum height of 72". (Infrequent) Ability to lift 40 lbs. centrifuge rotors, from floor level to a height of 40 inches, then down 20 inches into centrifuge drum. (Infrequent) Ability to push/pull file boxes from one location to another at floor level, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to maneuver heavy equipment on bench tops (Frequent) Ability to reach, stretch, bend, while moving items/materials from both sitting and standing positions. (Frequent) Ability to conduct a variety of hand pipefitting operations. (Continuous) Ability to maintain 20/40 vision in both eyes, corrected. (Continuous) Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (Continuous) Ability to hear and recognize various alarms emitting from work area systems. (Continuous) Ability to work in a darkroom for processing film, etc. (Continuous) Ability to qualify for the use of cartridge respirators. (Continuous) Ability to work in dusty areas. (Infrequent) May require working with animals of various sizes.

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

Medical University of South Carolina participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E-Verify program, please click here: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees