Animal Health Tech I - Comparative Medicine

The Comparative Medicine department is seeking a motivated and eager Animal Health Tech I to join their team!

The Department of Comparative Medicine is dedicated to the facilitation of biomedical research utilizing animals, while striving to maintain the highest quality of ethical, humane and appropriate animal care. The Department is committed to continuing to improve the quality of services provided to research investigators for the purpose of improving the health of humans and animals. We support groundbreaking research with consultation, training, veterinary care, and facility maintenance services. To learn more, please visit Comparative Medicine | Cedars-Sinai.

Are you ready to be a part of groundbreaking research?

The Animal Health Technician I (AHT I) is under the direct supervision of the Comparative Medicine Veterinarian. This is an entry level position and the job experience responsibilities include knowledge and application of relevant laboratory animal medicine standards, rules, and regulations and performing animal health technician tasks under direct or indirect supervision. The AHT I participates in maintaining the health and welfare of research animals in the vivarium, maintaining animal welfare standards, providing procedural support to research staff, and training research and comparative medicine staff on animal handling and techniques. The AHT I must be a motivated, self-starter who demonstrates a commitment to quality work, the ability to work effectively in teams, high emotional intelligence,and fosters a positive, professional environment as well as a culture of respect. The AHT I has a solid comprehension and ability to use basic computer programs including email and has good oral and written communication skills.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Clinical Care responsibilities - provides triage, presumptive diagnosis, treatment and follow up as needed for animals at CSMC. Communicates the cases to appropriate individuals and documents them using paper based and electronic systems.
• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Covered Species Procedural Support - Assists with surgical and non-surgical procedures in USDA covered species including pre surgical preparation, sedation, anesthesia inductions, administration, monitoring and recovery. Documents activities timely and accurately in medical records and other templates.
• USDA Covered Species Procedure Scheduling - Assists with scheduling appointments for large animal procedures which require Comparative Medicine procedural support.
• Executes assigned tasks to support the Environmental Enrichment Program.
• Maintains working knowledge of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols, policies, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) (to include hazardous agents).
• Equipment and room maintenance - Performs inventory, quality control checks, safety checks, and cleaning of clinical support equipment such as anesthesia machines and monitoring equipment including inventory and maintenance of assigned rooms and associated supplies within the vivarium.
• Conducts inventory and maintenance of assigned rooms and replenishes associated supplies within the vivarium.
• Executes assigned tasks to support the maintenance of the Rodent Biosecurity program.
• Trains researchers and technical staff on animal handling and restraint, dosing, blood collection, and other non-surgical techniques needed for studies.
• Assists with ensuring regulatory compliance (Post-Approval Monitoring and Facility Inspection Readiness).
• Participates in a weekend rotation to provide clinical support for research animals including dosing of medication and triage and treatment of health cases.
• Controlled Substances program – Handles and utilizes controlled substances in accordance with the Controlled Substances SOP.
• Attends all Staff and Team meetings as requested by the Supervisor
• Creates documents for any of the above-listed programs as requested by the Supervisor.

Education:

• A High School Diploma/GED is required. A graduate of an AVMA-CVTEA or CVMA accredited veterinary technology program is preferred.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Eligibility for certification by AALAS at the Assistant Laboratory Technician (ALAT) level upon hire.
• Valid and current driver's license is required.

Experience and Skills:

• One (1) year of experience working in a laboratory animal setting is required.
• Ability to learn, apply and maintain compliance with the rules and regulations governing the care and use of animals in research.
• Demonstrates a high standard of ethics and integrity with regards to animal welfare.
• Ability to provide and/or support a level of work excellence and accuracy; recognize and address flaws or errors that others may overlook. Ability to document tasks in an orderly, timely, and accurate manner.
• Ability to convey and/or receive written/verbal information to/from various audiences in different formats.
• Ability to demonstrate time management skills.
• Ability to appropriately prioritize tasks to complete more critical or urgent items first.
• Ability to use software applications and operate technological devices (e.g., computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc.). Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, and ability to learn other systems that support clinical work in the vivarium.