Veterinary Technician III

Overview
Please note that this position is contingent upon the successful award of a contract currently under bid.

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 that enable healthcare organizations to communicate and exchange data seamlessly across different systems and devices.

Summary:
Goldbelt Apex LLC is pleased to announce a remarkable opportunity for the position of Veterinary Technician III at the United States Army Institute for Surgical Research, located in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. We invite you to join our committed team and contribute to vital research initiatives.

The role entails a schedule from 6:30 AM to 3:00 PM, with the possibility of occasional overnight and flexible shifts.

Responsibilities
Essential Job Functions:

• Assisting veterinarian and research personnel with examinations and procedures, including the safe and correct handling and restraint of animals for observation and/or minor procedures.
• Cleaning and sanitizing animal rooms, facility, and animal care equipment, and associated animal facility areas
• Administering clinical treatments (topical, oral, subcutaneous, intravenous, and intradermal) to critical and chronic animals
• Maintaining accurate documentation and animal medical records.
• Recognizing changes in animal clinical condition indicative of complications or an emergency and alerting the veterinarian and/or research personnel.
• Accurately calculating drug dosages.
• Disposing of animal carcasses following established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Performing anesthesia recovery and post-operative care for animals.
• Performing animal health observations and reporting any abnormal conditions or behavior of animals to the Veterinarian, Facility Manager, Vivarium Manager, and/or Surgery Manager.
• Performing basic preoperative preparation of animals, including clipping and scrubbing of surgical sites.
• Monitoring basic animal vital signs to include taking temperature, pulse, and respiration rate before surgery, during surgery, and during recovery from surgery.
• Operating advanced anesthesia equipment and associated monitoring devices with supervision. Includes the collection of physiological data.
• Performing basic laboratory procedures such as fecal analysis, urinalysis, and PCV.
• Performing supportive administrative duties, including animal medical record review, training record filing, and review.
• Performing euthanasia and necropsy of laboratory animals as required.
• Operating advanced diagnostic equipment, including Computed Tomography, C-arm radiography, ultrasound, and endoscopy.
• Operating advanced anesthesia equipment and associated monitoring devices, which include the collection of physiological data.
• Works under indirect supervision on all invasive medical and/or surgical procedures during day or night shift.
• Maintaining inventory of veterinary drugs and supplies
• Providing onboarding of new Veterinary Support Branch Laboratory Animal Veterinary Technicians.
• Performs all levels of patient care in any Operating Room, ICU, Preparation Room, and Animal Bio-Safety Level Rooms within the Vivarium
• Demonstrates an understanding of the theory behind all research procedures performed.
• Plans, organizes, and accomplishes assignments with limited assistance. Self-directed and works independently on complex or sensitive projects, as well as an integral part of a research team. Working within tight timeframes is critical.
• Assists and/or performs sterile and non-sterile surgical procedures on large and small animals, including but not limited to placement of carotid and femoral catheters, implanting telemetry devices, and performing microsurgery on rodents.
• Provides instrumentation, surgical procedures, intensive care, and observation during recovery and survival stages
• Administers experimental treatments, collects samples, and makes observations associated with the collection of research data.
• Performs necropsy, tissue collection, processing, and preservation, and carcass disposal.
• Cleans, sterilizes, and maintains all instruments and equipment in the surgery area, and prepares catheters and other devices for use in sterile procedures.
• Conducts daily calibration of instrumentation, monitoring equipment, and data collection systems.
• Recognizes changes in animal clinical condition indicative of complications or an emergency and alerts veterinarian and/or research investigator.
• Accurately calculates drug dosages and administers clinical treatments (topical, oral, subcutaneous, intravenous, intradermal, etc.) to critical and chronic animals
• Monitors basic animal vital signs, include taking temperature, pulse, and respiration rate, before surgery, during surgery, and during recovery from surgery
• Performs anesthesia recovery and post-operative care for animals
• Ensures all pertinent supplies related to protocols are available.
• Schedules and coordinates all surgical/ICU/after-hours/ABSL2 calendar events, procedures, and protocols for contracted staff (per internal ISR report).
• Place percutaneous vascular lines and perform an intravenous cutdown for vascular access.
• Credentials all Laboratory Animal Veterinary Technicians and Laboratory Animal Veterinary Technicians in all aspects of their areas of expertise within 45 days of new hire (per internal USAISR credentialing program report).
• Other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

Qualifications
Necessary Skills and Knowledge:

• Ability to accurately calculate drug dosages and administer clinical treatments (topical, oral, subcutaneous, intravenous, intradermal, etc.) to critical and ICU-level animals.
• Ability to perform both injectable anesthesia (known as TIVA) and inhalation anesthesia recovery, and provide post-operative care for animals.
• Expertise in recognizing changes in animal clinical condition indicative of complications or an emergency and alert veterinarian(s) and/or research investigator promptly.
• Knowledge of laboratory animal medicine, care, and management practices.
• Ability to perform routine clinical procedures such as blood collection, injections, and sample processing.
• Familiarity with anesthesia, surgical preparation, and post-operative care for laboratory animals.
• Understanding of animal behavior, health monitoring, and enrichment techniques.
• Knowledge of biosafety, biosecurity, and infection control procedures in a research setting.
• Ability to recognize signs of illness, injury, or distress and respond appropriately.
• Skill in handling and restraining multiple species safely and humanely.
• Knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements including AAALAC, USDA, and OLAW standards.
• Proficiency in recordkeeping, data entry, and preparation of veterinary or research documentation.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills to collaborate with researchers, veterinary staff, and husbandry personnel.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) certification or Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) certification. LAT will be required within 6 months of employment.
• Maintain current state veterinary licensure, certification, or registration to practice veterinary medicine as a skilled Technician or have completed the Laboratory Animal Technician certification from AALAS.
• Minimum three (3) or more years of experience utilizing human clinical anesthesia equipment (similar to Drager) and infusion pumps (similar to Plum A+ and BD Alaris (TM) pumps), associated advanced monitoring devices, and administering Total Intravenous Anesthesia (TIVA).
• Experience in providing instrumentation, surgical procedures, intensive care, and observation during recovery and survival stages
• Must be a U.S. Citizen by birth or naturalization.
• Must be able to pass a NACI background check.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in biology or a similar field.
• At least two to four (2-4) years of laboratory experience is desired.
• Experience with anesthesia.
• Experience providing animal veterinary technical support in a DoD environment is preferred.

Pay And Benefits
At Goldbelt, we value and reward our team's dedication and hard work. We provide a competitive base salary commensurate with your qualifications and experience. As an employee, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with company matching, tax-deferred savings options, supplementary benefits, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.