Animal Laboratory Health Technician

The University of Southern California, Department of Animal Resources, is seeking a responsible, self-motivated, organized, and knowledgeable individual for a position of Laboratory Animal Health Technician. The Department of Animal Resources takes pride in providing optimal animal care for all animals housed at the university for the purposes of biomedical research and teaching. This position provides animal health care for laboratory animals under the supervision of licensed veterinarians. The Laboratory Animal Health Technician performs routine clinical procedures on a variety of laboratory animal species including handling, restraint, examinations, sample collection, necropsy, and administration of medications. This position is also responsible for coordinating the shipment and quarantine of research animals.

Job Accountabilities

· Provides care and treatment to research animals under veterinary supervision and assists principal investigators with treatments. Assists veterinarians with clinical cases as needed.

· Provides anesthetic assistance and performs euthanasia under veterinary supervision. Responds to emergency situations for animals in surgery or in other campus locations.

· Maintains pharmaceutical and surgical or laboratory supply inventories. Orders supplies and pharmaceuticals. Keeps abreast of new developments in the pharmaceutical field through journals, circulars and seminars. Maintains accurate, updated logs of controlled substances

· Collects and processes diagnostic samples. Administers drugs and other treatments. Assists Veterinarians and Principal Investigators with handling animals during procedures

· Ensures that animals are provided care in accordance with state and federal regulations to promote physical and psychological well-being and minimize discomfort

· Assists in training researchers and staff in animal procedures and guidelines.

· Uses and maintains surgical equipment such as anesthesia machines, ventilators, cautery apparatus, suction equipment, clippers, endoscopes and monitoring devices

· Prepares and sterilizes instruments and facilities for surgical use. Performs technical procedures in animal surgery, i.e. anesthetic, post-operative care. Maintains accurate records of procedures performed on animals. Analyzes case history records

· Performs laboratory examinations including necropsy, clinical pathology, microbology, parasitology, PCR, ELISA, etc. under veterinary supervision

· Provides information to Business Office for billing charges to principal investigators

· Assists in inspecting incoming animals for shipping condition, food supply, disease symptoms; performs physical examinations. Maintains accurate records

· Communicates with researchers and labs by email, phone, and in person about animal health and research needs

· Provides internal departmental support by assisting fellow ALHT’s in day-to-day tasks

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education/Experience: 3 years combined experience or education in related animal or health fields; Minimum Field of Expertise: Courses or experience in life sciences or animal health technology. Experience in animal handling, veterinary diagnostics, anesthesia, and surgical assistance. Credentialed veterinary technician or technologist (or eligible for VTNE Examination) is preferred.

Benefits

USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff and their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions after six (6) months of employment; tuition benefits for staff and their family; free professional development online courses; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses and free tram pick-up services; discounts to football, basketball and other campus events.

Application Procedure

As part of the application, candidates must upload a cover letter and resume or curriculum vitae which includes a telephone number and e-mail address.

USC is an equal-opportunity educator and employer, proudly pluralistic and firmly committed to providing equal opportunity for outstanding persons of every race, gender, creed and background. The university particularly encourages members of underrepresented groups, veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply. USC will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. Further information is available by contacting uschr@usc.edu.

The hourly rate range for this position is $27.33 - $28.23. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

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Minimum Education: Related undergraduate study, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 3 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Courses in a Life Science or Animal Health Technology including: anatomy, physiology, radiology, microbiology, zoology, medical nursing and related animal sciences. Experience with animal handling, animal treatment, veterinary diagnostics, animal anesthesia and surgical assistance in veterinary hospital or university environment.