Veterinary Technician

This is a general summary of the responsibilities associated with the position of Veterinary Technician in support of the EPA-Operations and Maintenance of the ORD-RTP Vivarium and Veterinary Services Contract.  This description is not all-inclusive of the duties required to successfully complete the job daily.  It is intended to reflect MPF’s contractual obligations. Employees are expected to complete all assigned duties each day as directed by management.

 COMPENSATION: $20.00-$23.00 hourly

Unless otherwise directed by MPF Management, all employees are expected to perform their duties during the work hours between 7:00am and 4:00pm (Monday through Friday). The Vet Tech may be required to work on the weekends and holidays as scheduled in advance.  The weekend/holiday hours are generally between 7:00am and 12 noon but may vary.

Employees are expected to be familiar with the day-to-day activities, workflow, personnel, and daily schedules within the facilities they are assigned.  MPF expects each of our employees to be forward thinking and to create and assist in quality contract performance. The Veterinary Technician will assist the Attending Veterinarian (AV) or backup Vet, with clinical and teaching procedures and maintain an effective, positive, and professional relationship with both contract and government staff. The primary duties for a Veterinary Technician are listed below:

• Applies appropriate veterinary terminology in all methods of communication.
• Administer drugs IV, IM, SQ, IP, and PO as directed by the AV.
• Safely and correctly handles and restrains animals to include rodents and rabbits.
• Ability to learn about an aquatic’s colony.
• Receive instruction and demonstrate proficiency of completing tasks.
• Calculate doses, administers treatments as directed by the AV.
• Ability to recognize rodent emergencies.
• Examines animals with health issues as first line of evaluation. Coordinates with AV for care and follow up.
• Identify and communicate signs of abnormal or poor health.
• Assists the veterinarian (and/or researcher) in various procedures.
• Performs humane euthanasia (as directed by AV).
• Maintains sanitary conditions of all treatment and surgical areas.
• Collects and prepares diagnostic samples.
• Performs and teaches rodent oral gavage techniques.
• Experience with aseptic technique, aseptic technique for stereotaxic, gas and injectable anesthesia is a must.
• Utilizes a high degree of knowledge on aseptic technique and surgical procedures to teach and assist staff and researchers.
• Operates anesthesia machines, surgical equipment, and prepares and autoclaves surgical packs.
• Maintains inventory of veterinary supplies and medications.
• Correctly assesses animals for pain, respiratory difficulty, appetite, tumor development, etc.
• Maintains animal records.
• Colony maintenance of training colony.
• Evidence of critical thinking skills (example: reviewing procedures, monitoring research staff for efficiency and uniformity in skill application)
• All other duties as assigned by project management.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

The Veterinary Technician position must meet the following standards prior to appointment:

Education:

Associates of Arts Degree in Veterinary Technology or equivalent experience. Continuing education in the fields of veterinary technology and general veterinary medicine is supported.

Certification:

Employees should hold a current AALAS certification at the LAT or be eligible to take exam at time of hire and pass the exam within 1 year.

Experience:

Must have 5 years of veterinary technical experience (preferred several years of gavage experience). Must have fundamental knowledge of animal anatomy and medical terminology.

MPF Federal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. We offer a competitive compensation package including a competitive salary, medical benefits, PTO, holiday pay and more.