Veterinary Technician I

Summary

The Center for Comparative Medicine provides for the care, health and well-being of all research animals used in the pursuit of scientific achievement and excellence at Baylor College of Medicine. CCM provides the highest quality veterinary and animal care and acts as a resource for the faculty on veterinary and scientific issues relating to the use of laboratory animals. Texas Heart Institute (THI), under Baylor College of Medicine, is a pre-clinical, large animal, research facility that has the capabilities to perform GLP research. The Veterinary Technician II position at THI, participates in all aspects of the health and welfare of laboratory animals, including daily monitoring and treatment, maintaining accurate health records, and providing requested technical services which include inducing and monitoring anesthesia for multiple species.

Participates in the management and maintenance of THI veterinary drugs and supplies. Performs on-call work duties including weekends and holidays. In rotational 8-12hour shifts, performs intensive monitoring and treatment of animals undergoing research studies in the ICU (intensive care unit) that are being treated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Required to follow strict non-disclosure agreements (NDA) due to proprietary medical devices.

Job Duties

• Assist in performing large animal anesthetic procedures, treatments, and perioperative care, and trains and oversees entry level technicians in large animal support services. Skills include but not limited to: pre, peri and post-operative care including, but not limited to shaving and skin preparation, animal transport, administration of anesthesia and analgesia, intubation, bandaging, clinical management and problem-solving, or any other treatment as directed by the veterinarian. (35%)


• May assist in advanced technical services provided by THI, including routine minor surgical procedures under veterinarian oversight, as well as blood collection, compound administration, and large animal handling (cows, sheep, goats, pigs). (2%)


• Provides high level support to CCM veterinarians by clearly communicating all animal health concerns and exercising advanced clinical judgment to initiate nonstandard treatment protocols in alignment with veterinarian directives. (5%)


• Conducts daily observational rounds and health checks. (10%)


• Triages health conditions, administers medical treatments, and accurately maintains written animal treatment records including GLP records (strict adherence to standardization, traceability, and data integrity). (15%)


• Assists in the management, inventory, and maintenance of THI veterinary drugs and supplies, including accurate documentation and compliant handling of controlled substances. (15%)


• Maintains veterinary technical equipment such as gas anesthesia machines, digital radiography systems, and other diagnostic tools. (5%)


• Cleans, prepares, packs, and sterilizes surgical instruments in accordance with established standards. (8%)


• Performs other job-related duties as assigned. (5%)

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate's degree in a related field. Two years of related experience may substitute for degree requirement.


• No experience required.


• Certified Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS). Certification must be obtained within one year of hire or promotion.

Preferred Qualifications

• One year of relevant experience.


• Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT).


• Weekends, holidays, and after-hours on-call work are required on a rotational basis with other THI/CCM veterinary technicians. In addition to the after-hour rotational work, Texas Heart Institute (CPCR) occasionally has animals in the ICU (intensive care unit). These animals require 24hr a day 7days a week around the clock, intensive monitoring and treatments that are performed by the veterinary technicians in 8-12hr shifts.


• Ability to lift up to 50lbs and stand for extended periods


• Demonstrates BCM core values: Respect, Integrity, Innovation, Teamwork, and Excellence


• Rotating after hour, weekend, and holiday on call responsibilities required


• This position is considered essential personnel which may require work during emergency situations (hurricanes, floods, etc.). 


• 2+ years of laboratory animal experience; 2+ years of veterinary technician experience