To provide routine and specialized care for a wide variety of species of large and small laboratory animals which are used by scientists for biomedical research and education in the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Nursing at the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus.

Key Responsibilities:

• Consult with research personnel to accommodate any investigator needs such as:
  • scheduling use of procedure rooms and/or surgical rooms to research personnel;
  • reserving of equipment needed by research personnel (anesthesia table, scales, etc.);
  • providing technical services upon request of research personnel examples include: individualized training sessions
  • assistance with anesthesia (induction and monitoring of both large and small animals); organ, blood and tissue collection; administering experimental agents; animal  euthanasia
  • collection of postmortem tissues for evaluation; surgical assistance; etc.
• Operate as a lead technician by coordinating activities of other veterinary technicians which may include training (to include OLAR staff, research personnel and students), activities in the surgical area, and investigator research procedures.
• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate projects assigned that involves leading others within the veterinary group and from other groups within OLAR.
• Examples could include environmental bacteriological monitoring, inventory management, and training.
• Evaluate established work processes for inefficiencies and inconsistencies, such as animal ordering or sentinel collection.
• Recommend and implement assessable solutions. Monitor the progress of the assigned work area by ensuring that all SOPs are being followed.
• Assist the Veterinary Technician Supervisor with the schedule and coordination to ensure that everything at one facility gets done on the correct day.
• Assign and adjust coverage for their assigned area to accommodate employee absences. Mentor/train others regarding all aspects of this position, provide input into areas covered by performance plans, and provide feedback to supervisor to prepare evaluations.
• Make recommendations as to how the veterinary technician area will operate to include when additional staff coverage is needed, more efficient procedures (animal and technical), and changes to forms used daily at work. Monitor and maintain any animal housing areas and support rooms assigned to include performing veterinary checks, triaging animal health issues, and performing treatments of animals as directed by a veterinarian or as described in the IACUC protocol.
• Communicate with research personnel regarding animal health issues.
• Perform physical examinations on large animals.
• Perform audits to ensure appropriate documentation of all veterinary activities is conducted and maintained to include animal health records, treatment sheets, anesthesia records, sick or injured animal records.
• Create charge sheets for support provided to research personnel. Perform diagnostic laboratory evaluations and tests in the areas of hematology, parasitology, serology, microbiology, cytology, and clinical pathology.
• Perform proper techniques for: sample collection, handling of diagnostic samples and equipment (examples include:
  • parasitology sample collection and evaluation
  • serology sample collection and shipment to various diagnostic laboratories; creating diagnostic reports
  • filing of all diagnostic related paperwork; and the “Sentinel” program) of the work unit.
• Create diagnostic records and billing for appropriate tech time spent on diagnostic services.
• Monitor and perform diagnostic testing involved in the transfer of animals between facilities or rooms within OLAR facilities.
• Consult with a veterinarian regarding treatments and euthanasia and perform treatments as prescribed. Make judgments about treating animals without permission (from the investigator) in an “emergency” situation or after communication attempts (with the investigator) have been repeatedly unsuccessful while working under the authority of a veterinarian. Drive a university vehicle occasionally as needed.

• Minimum Qualifications: Four years’ experience in a research animal facility working in a technical capacity with animals. Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire. A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis. Preferred Qualifications: Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate’s degree in veterinary/animal health technology Experience assisting in animal surgery, administering anesthesia to animals and/or performing veterinary surgery. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Effective written and oral communication skills, in English Ability to enter data in a database and manage an email account. Ability to handle rodents. Ability to perform anesthesia on animals. Knowledge of an animal research facility. Ability to maintain an activity log. Ability to work with complex machinery. Planning and organization skills. Mechanical and physical ability. Able to teach and lead others by example. For full consideration, please submit the following document(s): A Cover Letter describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position. Three references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address. Questions should be directed to: Maria Montero, Maria.Montero@CUAnschutz.edu