Animal Research Technician

Overview

Goldbelt Apex, a part of the Healthcare Technology Transformation Group, is a data-focused company dedicated to process and quality in every aspect. As healthcare IT experts, Apex is committed to building systems for healthcare organizations to seamlessly communicate and exchange data across different systems and devices.

Summary

The Animal Research Technician will serve as an Animal/Veterinary Surgical Technician for laboratory animals maintained in a research facility.

While duties are performed primarily during normal business hours Monday through Friday, rotating weekend hours and holidays, consisting of not more than one (1) weekend a month for a 3-hour period per day, may be needed for animal care/husbandry when animals are onsite. The COR will provide the contractor with 2-4 weeks’ notification of the need for weekend hours. In no instance shall the need for weekend hours increase the overall level of effort proposed by the contractor. In the event of an emergency, and the command is closed to non-essential personnel, the contractor will report as necessary for animal welfare.

Responsibilities

Essential Job Functions:

• Protocol Support (Research & Training): Provide guidance, training, technical expertise, and assistance to PIs, research personnel, and veterinary staff, in the performance of duties and procedures necessary for the completion of basic and applied research protocols, including Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) studies. Contractor shall not provide education and training to Government or military personnel without prior endorsement by the COR and the cognizant local Government Staff Training Manager. All education and training materials are subject to final Government approval.
• Perform minor surgical procedures (e.g., placement of foley catheters, along with carotid and femoral catheters, flow probes, Swan-Gm1Z catheters, etc.).
• Perform minor medical procedures (e.g., intubation, inductions, etc.)
• Monitor animals during procedure and alert leadership of concerns.
• Assist with major surgical procedures and protocols.
• Provide post-operative monitoring and recovery care, including pain and distress assessment and administration of analgesics and other medications, as prescribed and necropsy of experimental animals.
• Recording of pertinent data in animal medical records.
• Collect, submit, analyze, preserve and dispose of biologic specimens, to include euthanasia and necropsy of experimental animals.
• Perform cleaning (to include surgical areas), disinfection, sterilization, and packing of surgical instruments.
• Assist with administering the inventory and stock level of supplies and equipment. Contractor shall notify the COR if reordering of inventory is required.
• Animal Care/Husbandry: Provide animal health care and husbandry in accordance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory animals, vivarium standing operating procedures, and the Attending Veterinarian. Duties and procedures may include, but not be limited to: receipt, restraint, grooming and handling of laboratory animals; cleaning and sanitizing of animal cages and holding rooms; feeding, watering, weighing and transport of animals; performance of physical exams, clinical assessments, diagnostic procedures and treatments; to include euthanasia, surgical preparation; induction and maintenance of anesthesia, including endotracheal intubation and operation of gas anesthesia machines; operation of physiological monitoring equipment; collection and recording of anesthetic and experimental data and parameters.