Veterinary Technician III

School of Medicine

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,500 faculty physicians and researchers, more than 1,300 students, and more than 6,000 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, Duke University Health System and the Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC) comprise Duke Health. a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Join Our Team and Make an Impact in Veterinary Care!

Are you passionate about advancing animal welfare and supporting groundbreaking research?

Be You.

As a Veterinary Technician III, you'll play a critical role in ensuring the highest standards of care for regulated species. In this dynamic position, you'll collaborate closely with the Senior Manager, Veterinary Services for Regulated Species to streamline workflows, enhance communication, and elevate animal care practices. From performing complex veterinary and surgical procedures to mentoring new team members and maintaining compliance with DLAR, IACUC, AAALAC, PHS, and USDA guidelines, your expertise will help shape the future of research and animal health.

Work Arrangement - On-site

Anticipated Pay Range - Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $24.73 to USD $37.47. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members.

Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

DEPARTMENTAL PREFERENCES

LAT or LATG certification preferred.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education - Work requires an Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology with RVT.

Experience - Work requires at least four (4) years of experience in a laboratory, zoological, animal care facility or related setting to become familiar with the technical tasks involved in the care of animals (dog, cat, and large animal acceptable).

OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.

Be Bold.

Skills

• Clinical observations & evaluation of animal health status for a variety of species;
• Anesthesia setup, monitoring and intubation of canines, swine, NHPs, rabbits, and other species as needed;
• Administration of daily treatments and medications via a variety of routes;
• Blood collection and IV catheter placement;
• Basic diagnostic lab techniques; Basic radiograph techniques; Basic NHP, swine, canine, rabbit, and rodent restraint techniques;
• Ability to follow and enhance enrichment plans for NHP and other species; intra- and interdepartmental communication; organization.

Work Performed

• Ensures research and DLAR staff adhere to all federal, state, local, and university laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines regarding the use of animals in research.
• Prepares for USDA, AAALAC, OLAW, IACUC, and DEA site visits. Ensures all DLAR Clinical Services areas are in good standing and are 'audit ready'.
• Ensures pharmaceutical and supply needs are met to support PI's research for surgical, technical, and clinical services.
• Assists the Manager in identifying SOP needs and in the creation of SOPs.
• Attends and participates in pre- and post-study meetings with PIs and veterinary staff as assigned.
• Provides feedback regarding protocols to the Manager and veterinary staff, including amendment recommendations.
• Performs duties of Vet Tech I-II and Research Tech I-III as assigned by the supervisor and/or veterinary team based on operational needs.
• Maintains appropriate documentation for all duties in accordance with all applicable departmental, institutional, local, state, and federal laws, regulations, policies, guidelines, SOPs, and contemporary professional standards.
• Assists in training staff members and in assessing the proficiency of skills.
• Collaborates with other technicians and managers to ensure adequate inventory is in stock for all services provided and emergency needs, and information sheets (lab drug protocols, procedure checklists, etc.) are kept up to date.

Performs other related duties incidental to the work described herein as assigned by the Manager and/or veterinary team based on operational needs.

Surgical Services

• Prepares and ensures surgical equipment is available, in good working order, and ready before surgeries.
• Keeps a running inventory of DLAR's surgical instruments, surgical machinery, and other supplies needed for surgeries.
• Works with the Senior Manager, Research Support, to ensure all equipment is functional, appropriately maintained, and calibrated, and to troubleshoot/correct equipment problems or schedule service needs with service companies in a timely manner.
• Reviews surgical records to ensure proper documentation, follows up with team members as needed.

Veterinary Services

• Manages supplies needed for emergency and critical care for all species under DLAR care.
• Coordinates with veterinarians on an as-needed basis to provide care and supply medical intervention to clinical cases, and communicates needs with fellow technicians.
• Collaborates with the surgical lead to ensure pre- and post-op care of animals undergoing surgical procedures are adequately prepared.
• Reviews records of animals that received clinical services, both protocol- and non-protocol-related, and performs follow-ups with team members as needed to ensure proper documentation is completed.

Technical Services

• Manages supplies needed for technical (non-surgical) services as needed according to PI request needs.
• Maintains and updates checklists and drug sheets for each PI and their lab's routine services.
• Acts as the main point of contact for conducting semi-annual exams for USDA species, including NHPs and dogs.
• Reviews records of animals under DLAR care that received planned Technical Services and performs follow-ups with team members as needed to ensure proper documentation is completed.
• Assists in and maintains semi-annual, annual, and monthly schedules of vaccines, weights/nail trims, dentals, and other similar recurring events for multiple species in accordance with the DLAR health calendar.

Special Conditions Of Employment

Working Schedule

• Must be able to work a flexible working schedule based on workload and deadlines;
• Must be able to work assigned standard schedules, including (but not limited to) Mon-Fri, Wed-Sun, and Tue-Sat shifts;
• Must be able to work on rotating on-call duties after hours and on weekends.

Occupational Health and Safety

As a safeguard for the employee and the animals, medical examinations and risk assessments are performed. Some immunizations or further diagnostics may be required before working with specific animals or animal populations, as determined by occupational health medical personnel, including, but not limited to:

• TB testing and clearance;
• Hepatitis B (proof of immunization and/or vaccination);
• Rabies (proof of immunization and/or vaccination);
• Tetanus (current vaccination less than 10 years);
• Measles (proof of immunization and/or vaccination);
• Periodic physical examinations (including respiratory fit tests);
• Other vaccines or testing as required by EOHW standards.

Hazard Exposure

The animal facility has a variety of environmental conditions. Specifically, employees may be exposed to potentially hazardous noise, dust, chemicals, extreme heat, and animal waste products. The duration of exposure to any of the above is dependent on assigned duties. Some aspects of this position may expose the incumbent to potentially zoonotic and other biohazardous agents. Appropriate protective clothing and equipment may be required and will be provided, when necessary, accompanied by the necessary training.

Professional Conduct and Behavior

• Demonstrates professional conduct and behavior at all times when performing job duties and rendering services to the scientific community, especially as they relate to customer service, attendance and punctuality, respectful demeanor and interactions, professional language and communications, appropriate effort and initiative, accountability and integrity, boundary maintenance and confidentiality, emotional self-regulation and responsiveness to feedback.
• Maintains professional standards and adheres to all federal, state, local, and university regulations and policies regarding the use of animals in research while performing job duties.
• Fosters teamwork and collegiality between the various groups within DLAR and the scientific community.

Choose Duke.

Apply today and help shape the future of animal health at Duke!