Senior Veterinary Technician

　　Req ID #: 220942

　　Location:

　　Houston, TX, US, 77047

　　For 75 years, Charles River employees have worked together to assist in the discovery, development and safe manufacture of new drug therapies. When you join our family, you will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people across the globe. Whether your background is in life sciences, finance, IT, sales or another area, your skills will play an important role in the work we perform. In return, we’ll help you build a career that you can feel passionate about.

　　JOB SUMMARY

　　Under the direction of supervisor and veterinary staff, maintain and monitor the health and physical environment of Charles River or external customer animals involving complex instructions and requiring technical expertise. Assist in the documentation and triage of all laboratory animal health cases. May perform technical in-life procedures.

　　RESPONSIBILITIES:

　　Coordinate and execute veterinary care procedures and tasks to maximize veterinary staff capability

　　Perform all skills and task required of subordinate level Veterinarian Technician roles

　　Assist in managing environmental enrichment program

　　Demonstrate leadership in developing pilot programs on new veterinary technical initiatives

　　Document and triage animal health cases noted by technical staff and/or Attending Veterinarian

　　Conduct regular clinical rounds and routine health monitoring and examinations, and implement preventative measures in support of and accordance with the requirements of the research program

　　Investigate staff reports of adverse animal health issues and conditions. Recommend, administer, and record routine treatment of animals. Generate summary reports.

　　Perform and document appropriate clinical observations. Ensure corrective actions for health or welfare issues are developed and implemented in accordance with the research programs

　　Notify appropriate personnel of conditions indicative of pain and distress or abnormal findings that could compromise studies

　　Perform minor and more advanced surgical procedures, suturing, routine dentistry, anesthesia monitoring. Perform surgical site observation for post-op cases

　　Perform routine veterinary technical and husbandry skills including the following:

　　Routine physical exams

　　Administration of various therapeutic measures by IV, IM, SQ, topical, oral routes, etc.

　　Bandage/wrapping technique

　　Venipuncture techniques

　　Vaginal swabs

　　Proficient animal restraint techniques

　　Monitor critical care animals (i.e., place IVs, monitor fluids, etc.).

　　Generate animal treatment records and perform, track and schedule follow-ups

　　Work with other departments to schedule veterinary tasks and facilitate cross-training/ shadowing

　　Create, modify, or edit training plans based on veterinary needs, new techniques, and procedures, and/or method based on veterinary input and literature

　　Coordinate training and development needs of assigned staff

　　Model effective time management, communication, and resource utilization.

　　Ensure medical records are accurate, complete and in appropriate order for each animal in accordance with study and regulatory requirements.

　　Provide input into the creation/revision of SOPs and assist in implementation and training of new SOPs.

　　May act as team leader for less experienced technical staff and other laboratory personnel.

　　Assist in keeping inventory and stocking the vet rooms (i.e., drugs and supplies). Assist in organizing and maintaining the vet exam rooms.

　　May be responsible for tissue sampling, routine animal manipulations and administration of fluids or other treatments as required.

　　May perform routine technical and husbandry functions (general housekeeping) and must adhere to safety procedures.

　　Compensation: $29-$35/hr. Please note that compensation varies based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, and certifications.

　　JOB QUALIFICATIONS

　　Education:

　　Graduate of a collegiate veterinary technology program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Training Activities or equivalent program in veterinary technology, strongly preferred.

　　A four-year degree in a relevant life science (e.g. Animal Science, Biology or Veterinary Technology) may be considered.

　　Experience:

　　Five or more (5+) years of related experience working with animals in a pre-clinical laboratory.

　　Four or more (4+) years of experience working with Nonhuman Primates is preferred.

　　An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.

　　Certification/Licensure:

　　LVT license or CVT/RVT certification, or a four-year degree in a relevant life science (e.g. Animal Science, Biology or Veterinary Technology) required.

　　AALAS LATG certification required.

　　Other:

　　Must have demonstrated technical expertise with a variety of animal species with a focus on USDA covered species to include rabbits, nonhuman primates, dogs, pigs, and small ruminants.

　　Experience working in a regulatory controlled environment, adhering to SOP’s.

　　Excellent organizational skills, especially in time management and record keeping.

　　Demonstrated analytical and problem solving skills. Ability to lead and work independently.

　　Must be proficient in the use of computers (Microsoft Office Suite).

　　Must be able to work independently.

　　Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

　　This position may require weekend, holiday, and/or on call shifts.

　　Physical Demands

　　Must be able to lift, move, manipulate, and/or hold heavy objects up to and including 50 pounds; this includes work materials, equipment, and/or animals.

　　Must be able to perform procedures, which require, talking, hearing, standing or sitting for long periods of time, entering data into a computer, using appropriate instruments, reaching with hands and arms, working in narrow spaces, and wearing safety equipment (PPE) according to OSHA regulations and company standards.

　　Must be able to frequently firmly hold species while utilizing fine motor skills.

　　Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

　　Work Environment:

　　Works in a research environment, which requires use of sharp objects, working around mechanical parts, working with or near known or unknown toxic or caustic chemicals and/or biological hazards, exposure to fumes and airborne particles, working at noise levels ranging from moderate to loud.

　　Regularly works with live animals with risk of exposure to allergens, zoonotic disease, and biohazards.

　　The noise level in the work environment ranges from low to high depending upon the species housed.

　　About Safety Assessment

　　Charles River is committed to helping our partners expedite their preclinical drug development with exceptional safety assessment services, state-of-the-art facilities and expert regulatory guidance. From individual specialty toxicology and IND enabling studies to tailored packages and total laboratory support, our deeply experienced team can design and execute programs that anticipate challenges and avoid roadblocks for a smooth, efficient journey to market. Each year approximately 300 investigational new drug (IND) programs are conducted in our Safety Assessment facilities.

　　About Charles River

　　Charles River is an early-stage contract research organization (CRO). We have built upon our foundation of laboratory animal medicine and science to develop a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services, both Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non-GLP, to support clients from target identification through preclinical development. Charles River also provides a suite of products and services to support our clients’ clinical laboratory testing needs and manufacturing activities. Utilizing this broad portfolio of products and services enables our clients to create a more flexible drug development model, which reduces their costs, enhances their productivity and effectiveness to increase speed to market.

　　With over 20,000 employees within 110 facilities in over 20 countries around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our client’s unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies and hospitals and academic institutions around the world.

　　At Charles River, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people’s lives. Our mission, our excellent science and our strong sense of purpose guide us in all that we do, and we approach each day with the knowledge that our work helps to improve the health and well-being of many across the globe. We have proudly supported the development of 86% of the drugs approved by the FDA in 2021.

　　Equal Employment Opportunity

　　Charles River Laboratories is an Equal Opportunity Employer - all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

　　If you are interested in applying to Charles River Laboratories and need special assistance or an accommodation due to a disability to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the resume submission process, please contact a member of our Human Resources team by sending an e-mail message to [email protected] . This contact is for accommodation requests for individuals with disabilities only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

　　For more information, please visit www.criver.com.