CASY-MSCCN Jobs

Req #: 232874

Department: COMPARATIVE MEDICINE: VETERINARY SERVICES

Posting Date: 04/05/2024

Closing Info: Open Until Filled

Salary: $3,887 - $5,500 per month

Shift: First Shift

Notes: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-professional-staff-librarians-academic-staff-20230701_a11y.pdf )

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Comparative Medicine Mission Statement: Our mission is to advance knowledge and improve the health and welfare of humans and animals through excellent service support, biomedical research, and teaching.

The Department of Comparative Medicine (DCM) is one of the 12 basic science departments in the School of Medicine. DCM is the central laboratory animal medicine resource at the University of Washington, supporting over 114,000 assignable square feet of animal facilities with an average daily census in excess of 100,000 animals across multiple species (e.g., rodents, rabbits, swine, and zebrafish). The department employs over 175 individuals who provide a comprehensive range of animal husbandry, veterinary, and laboratory services across numerous vivaria. The UW animal care program is accredited by AAALAC International and provides services to over 400 principal investigators. DCM faculty members, post-doctoral fellows, and residents conduct basic and clinical research on a wide range of subjects, including, but not limited to, comparative aspects of infectious disease, aging, cancer biology, and genetics.

Department Website: https://www.washington.edu/compmed/

The primary purpose of this position is to support research and core programs within the Department of Comparative Medicine and the University of Washington by performing investigative work in a specific pathogen free (SPF) animal facility working with and caring for unique animal models of disease. Support for research groups requires following multiple experimental protocols and schedules established by investigators and performing experimental procedures such as blood draws, administration of experimental and clinical drugs by various routes, and surgical procedures, as well as assisting with major surgeries, performing anesthesia, and monitoring vital signs of various experimentally manipulated animals. Species involved are varied and can include at a minimum rodents, rabbits, ferrets, dogs, pigs, birds, and fish.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The duties below are performed in support of principal investigators (PIs) whose research involves animals of numerous species. The research scientist/engineer 1 assists PIs in developing and implementing research protocols specific to their animal species. They will guide the work of research assistants, technicians, and co-workers as necessary to achieve specific assignments.

Animal Surgery Support - 30%

• Using accepted methods and techniques, solves well-defined problems and performs specific and limited portions of broader projects, under technical guidance of the Animal Facility Director.

• Delivery and monitoring of anesthesia, including post-surgery recovery, for a variety of species.

• Aseptic handling and restraint of immunocompromised mice in biosafety cabinets.

• Humane handling and restraint of a variety of species.

• Microsurgery and routine surgical procedures, such as orchiectomy of mice.

• Proficient in tail vein injections, oral gavage, blood collection, and drug administration.

• Proficient in dose calculations, formulations, and dilutions.

• Collection and processing of tissue and blood.

• Help develop new surgical techniques and anesthesia protocols to accomplish research goals.

• Maintenance and cleaning of anesthesia and surgical instruments and equipment.Collection and Documentation of Data - 20%

• Successful performance of project related tasks provides support to ongoing efforts and provides preliminary data for grant applications.

• Demonstrates proficiency in data collection (e.g., using calipers for determining tumor size).

• Helps maintain facility documentation and records.In the SPF Animal Facility - 30%

• Interacts in a collaborative manner with other team members to accomplish organizational goals; provides ideas for improved efficiency. Defines and improves practices from experiences on small projects.

• Aseptic and humane handling and restraint of immuno-compromised mice in biosafety cabinets, and other species as needed.

• Communicate observations of animals before, during, and after procedures and maintain, analyze, and distribute records of blood work and details of experimental procedures to team members as necessary.

• Participate in the organization and scheduling.

• Basic animal care.

• Facility maintenance and quality assurance, including inventory and stock supplies, and ensure that items are reordered as necessary for the surgery rooms and procedure rooms. Take responsibility for proper collection of formalin for disposal.Training - 20%

• Teach technical skills as necessary to team members such that they become proficient at necessary research procedures.

• Participate in all training activities necessary for the performance of the job, e.g., mouse, rat, rabbit, pig handling and anesthesia, aseptic surgical instruction, and certification. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in biology and one year of relevant experience, OR equivalent combination of education/experience.

• Graduate of an AVMA-accredited veterinary technician program or licensed veterinary technician.

• Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Experience administering and monitoring anesthesia in animals and performing other veterinary technical procedures.

• Excellent organizational skills and flexibility to work in an environment with constantly shifting and occasionally conflicting priorities.

• Ability to work with minimal supervision as well as collegially within diverse groups, following established guidelines.

• Ability to take direction and communicate effectively with others.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and use appropriate judgement in sensitive situations.

• Ability to generate and maintain accurate, detailed records using appropriate medical language.

• Independent computer skills, including basic skills to use email and navigate on the internet. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology of a variety of animals including but not limited to rodents, rabbits, ferrets, dogs, pigs, birds and fish.

• Experience with anesthesia of pigs and rabbits.

• Experience working in an ABSL-2/3 environment.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications. Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.