Clinical Veterinary Technician 2

Department Overview

The Oregon National Primate Center (ONPRC) is located 12 miles west of the OHSU main campus, and sits on 162 acres of land featuring forested areas, research and administration buildings, indoor and outdoor animal housing, and 2-mile perimeter walking path. Our mission is to improve human health and the quality of life through the support of nonhuman primate research programs that advance our knowledge of the causes, preventions, treatments, and cures of debilitating diseases.

Function/Duties of Position

The Clinical Veterinary Technician 2 assists in providing clinical care, nursing support, and husbandry for a variety of laboratory research animals.  This is the second level of a three-level series. It is distinguished from the lower level by increased responsibility in independently performing complex animal care protocols, including the opportunity to learn veterinary diagnostic and treatment procedures. A high level of case management, organizational capabilities, and communication skill is essential for employee success.  At this level, there is an emphasis on hospitalized patient care, maintaining special project assignments, and less need for task instruction and supervision. Work inside an ABSL3 facility is a requirement of this position. 

Rounds/Triage/Observation/Records

• Evaluate new/ongoing clinical cases.
• Orders and collects diagnostic tests; may interpret diagnostics with veterinary oversight.
• Provides basic to complex treatments within clinic guidelines or as determined by the attending veterinarian.
• Prescribe medication using algorithms as directed by a veterinarian, treatment protocols.
• Determines which cases need immediate care from the attending veterinarian, and which can be managed through routine practices.
• Communicates medical needs to veterinary staff using appropriate terminology/clinical parameters.
• Triage emergency needs.
• Maintains expected and appropriate standards of cleanliness, including management of disparate viral statuses.
• Documents all medical cases within the electronic health record data base according to ONPRC and departmental guidelines.
• Provides complete health review including weight management.
• Communicates between multiple units to ensure proper health management.

Nursing and Critical Care

• Aids and supports the assessment, treatment, and stabilization of patients with urgent medical needs.
• May independently stabilize patients while the veterinarian is in route.
• Provides ongoing care for patients with potentially life-threatening illness or injury whose condition is likely to change moment to moment.
• Monitors recovery from sedation and patient care, including creation of medical records and administration of medications.
• Performs general nursing functions in the clinical hospital, hospitalized patient area, and animal housing facilities to include taking and recording of clinical signs, performing all aspects of patient assessment and treatment of animals, and patient recovery.  These functions are to be accomplished independently without professional supervision. 

Therapeutics

• Performs standard clinical procedures including but not limited to:
  • Checking for standard pathogens and treating as appropriate
  • Venipuncture
  • Intravenous and urethral catheter placement
  • Medication/fluid rate calculations
  • Medication administration via intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intradermal and oral routes
  • Bandaging, dental prophylaxis, radiographs, ultrasound, etc.
  • Body fluid and tissue collection
  • Cleans, debrides, sutures, and bandages wounds
  • Assists with dental manipulations
  • Monitoring of animals receiving gas anesthetics
• Additional clinical procedures may include:
  • Ultrasound evaluation of patients
  • Intraosseous catheter placement
  • Manual reduction of intussusceptions
  • High-risk infant care

Surgical Procedures

• Performs minor surgical procedures without supervision by the Veterinary Clinical Supervisor or Chief of Clinical Medicine.
• Independently accomplishes minor surgical procedures in the treatment of spontaneous wounds including wound debridement, sliding and rotating flap skin grafts, V-to-Y plasty, and suturing minor skin lacerations.
• Responsible for anesthetic induction, including intubation with some oversight.
• Provides patient monitoring during anesthetic procedures or while a patient is being stabilized.
• Recovers patients from anesthesia.

Observation and Records

• Checks clinical cases daily for signs of abnormal behavior, illness, or injury.
• Records information necessary to document adequate clinical care.
• Reports observed findings to veterinarian.
• Records requested environmental data (e.g. room temperatures, lighting, etc.).
• Completes area work and maintenance sheets for work performed.
• Fills out death record on dead or euthanized animals.

Miscellaneous

• Animal husbandry.
• Cleans and disinfects surgical and clinical supplies.
• Drives truck to tend to animals and to transport animals for care.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• 3 years experience caring for animals in a veterinary hospital or laboratory animal facility including 2 years experience in a clinical position; AND 
• State certification through the Veterinary Medical Examining Board as a Veterinary Technician; AND
• Certification by the American Association for Lab Animal Science at the Animal Technician (LAT) level, or the ability to obtain this certification, required OR
• An equivalent combination of experience and training. 
• A valid Driver’s License and the ability to drive DCM/ONPRC vehicles on and off campus.

Skills and Abilities

• Skilled in standard medical terminology and nomenclature.
• Ability to communicate and record patient information as required.
• Manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills to correctly perform clinical and technical procedures.
• Knowledge of veterinary and biological principles which underlie clinical illness.
• Knowledge of normal physiological parameters, normal growth and development, and typical disease processes.
• Knowledge of veterinary procedures and practices to determine appropriate actions during clinical case management.
• Knowledge of methodology and microbiology as it relates to cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization.
• Veterinary nursing skills for intensive care patients.
• Intermediate level skills in Microsoft applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• BS in Animal Sciences, Biology, or related field.
• Competence in the medical management of common nonhuman primate illness.

Additional Details

Weekly work schedules established by managerial staff, including voluntary and involuntary weekend and holiday work schedules. Ability to work overtime as needed.

Working Conditions

• Requires the ability to move unassisted through various animal housing areas located in several separate buildings, indoor and outdoor (including covered areas that are not environmentally controlled), in order to make animal observations, perform animal husbandry tasks, handle, move, or restrain animals, collect samples, administer treatments, and perform other procedures. 
• Moving on wet and/or slick surfaces, through narrow corridors between rows of cages, and climbing stairs to corral observation platforms.
• Ability to work in areas where there is risk of exposure to zoonotic agents through injury, by direct contact with animals or their tissues and body fluids, or by contact with equipment contaminated by animals or their tissues and body fluids.
• Ability to work where there is risk of exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals, radiation, and sanitizing chemicals. 
• Work inside an ABSL 3 facility is required.  

Physical Conditions

• Ability to drive DCM vehicles on and off campus as required.
• Ability to walk and stand for continuous hours a day.
• Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 23kg (50lbs).
• Ability to lift objects weighing approximately 19kg (42lbs) to approximately shoulder height.
• Ability to push and pull heavy wheeled equipment such as cage racks and loaded carts.
• Ability to learn and use computerized medical programs to perform data input and communication.

Why apply to OHSU?

We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington. All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact [email protected]