Veterinary Technician - Joslin Diabetes Center

Overview

Under the direction of the Animal Facility Manager and Veterinarian, the Veterinary Technician will perform daily health assessments and record maintenance of laboratory animals, various technical functions required by research protocols, and provide technical skills training to the research community.

Hours are Monday-Friday 7:00 am-3:30 pm (with the potential of rotating weekends).

As a health care organization, we have the responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. Beth Israel Lahey Health requires that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) and COVID-19 as a condition of employment.

Responsibilities

• Reviews and complies with all policies pertaining to the animal care program. Cares for and maintains laboratory animals in accordance with Animal Welfare Act and policies, the “Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals,” and other applicable regulations and policies.
• Works closely with the Veterinarian to perform daily health assessments of laboratory animals in the colony and maintain all records as needed and associated with this monitoring. Provides animal treatments as instructed by the Veterinarian.
• Contribute to the preventative animal health program and the animal health surveillance program as needed, such as specimen collections and documentation, processing samples, providing summaries, conducting written and telephone communications with diagnostic laboratories, serving as contact for intra-institutional animal transfers and related responsibilities.
• Performs technical functions required by research protocols, such as daily clinical observations and health examinations of sick animals, prior to reporting adverse findings to Veterinarian responsible for that area.
• Provide technical skills training to the research community in support of IACUC-approved research protocols, e.g. animal handling and restraint, weaning, tail snips, ear tagging, blood and other tissues sample collection, injections, treatments, surgical preparation, pre-, peri-, and post-operative observations, euthanasia, and assists with research procedures as directed.
• Coordinates and processes orders for animal medications (drugs, anesthetics, analgesics, etc.), documents distribution of same, and provides guidance on recordkeeping requirements.
• Complies with safety policies and procedures and MSDS guidelines, including those related to biohazards. Assists with the receipt, stocking and maintenance of supply inventories. 
• Cage washing and husbandry as scheduled or required.
• Additional duties consist of weaning cages, setting up breeding, and changing cages.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science or Veterinary Technology or Associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology and 1 year of relevant experience
• Minimum of two years related animal care and handling experience required, including one year of relevant technical experience preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.
• AALAS certification at the Laboratory Animal Technician level (ALAT) or above or successful achievement of ALAT certification within one (1) year required. AALAS certification at the LAT level is preferred.
• Veterinary Technician licensure of CVT or LVT preferred.
• Basic knowledge of rodent technical skills and capability of identifying sick animals, summarizing findings, and providing medical treatments as prescribed.
• Computer literacy in word processing and database record keeping preferred.
• Must be able to follow verbal and written instructions
• Interpersonal skills that are conducive to effective professional communication and that contribute to a congenial work environment.
• Maintain positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a professional manner with clients, customers, coworkers, and supervisors.
• Ability to work independently in a responsible manner and serve as an effective team member.
• Work hours may include occasional weekend or holidays.
• Must respond to after-hours emergency calls when necessary