Lead Veterinary Technician

Requirements: Must have a high school diploma or equivalent; must be certified by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science as a Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT); 2 years of experience performing duties of laboratory animal veterinary technician. Must have experience in such specialty areas as rodent, regulated species and non-human primate facilities management and technical procedures, breeding, barrier management, and data management. Must have a working knowledge of biohazard containment at the ABSL2 level.

Overview: Responsible for oversight and task scheduling of the technical service activities as directed to meet the requirements for an Atlanta Area Animal Care Services contract.

Description of Duties:

(Job descriptions are subject to change to reflect duties and responsibilities.)

1. Perform duties of the Veterinary Technician.
2. Supervise and direct daily activities of technical personnel to ensure that all required functions are carried out appropriately, including receiving animals, handling and restraint, health surveillance, equipment maintenance, supply inventories, animal manipulations, laboratory procedures, and other contract-related duties.
3. Work closely with the facility veterinarian and/or designee to ensure clinical support and technical duties are carried out according to prescribed plans and SOPs.
4. Assist with training technical personnel according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
5. Schedule technical procedures and assign daily activities to personnel performing technical procedures.
6. Read and understand technical requirements stated in Animal Study Protocols (ASPs) and discern discrepancies between technical requests and ASPs.
7. Ensure that Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) are adhered to by the technical staff and suggest modifications to supervisor.
8. Perform procedures requiring various levels of biohazard containment.
9. Participate in interviews and selection of technical personnel.
10. Collaboratively work with investigators to establish and maintain breeding colonies.
11. Provide information as needed to complete contract deliverables.
12. Perform QC duties related to meeting requirements of technical support areas.
13. Ability to work flexible hours as needed to ensure research needs and experiments are carried out in compliance with appropriate timelines to include weekend and holiday coverage.
14. Report any abnormal conditions of the animal facility or immediate vicinity to supervisory staff.
15. Must be able to lift a maximum of 50 lbs.; bend, push, pull, stoop, climb and stand for a prolonged period.
16. Perform other duties as assigned.