Veterinary Surgical 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 Veterinary Surgical Technician 2 (VST2) will perform anesthesia for the entire spectrum of animal species utilized at the ONPRC, using a wide variety of anesthesia modalities and techniques.  Will also assist with surgery and independently perform some surgical procedures, to be determined by the level of technical skill required.  Will also perform a diverse array of surgical support activities, including assisting surgeons, monitoring pre- and post-operative care, and provision of clinical care for research animals.  These activities are essential to support veterinary care and humane research use of laboratory animals. Work done by the VST2 impacts teaching and biomedical research commitments requiring surgical and critical care support as a part of their investigative projects.

• Performs animal anesthesia independently of supervision during major and minor surgical procedures. 
• Monitors postoperative recovery and care, including creation of surgical records. 
• Initiates and maintains computerized surgical records. 
• Performs general nursing functions in the surgical suite, post-operative area, or animal treatment facility to include taking and recording of vital signs, performing all aspects of pre-operative preparation of animals, and post-operative recovery.  
• Performs and assists with surgical procedures of varying complexity. 
• Performs both flexible and rigid endoscopic procedures, to include bronchoalveolar lavage, gastroscopy, duodenoscopy, laparoscopic ovarian manipulations and embryo transfers.  
• Performs as the circulating technician during surgical procedures. 
• Handles and prepares surgical specimens (blood or tissue samples) for forwarding to the laboratory.  
• Prepares drugs and solutions for administration. 
• Records physiologic data and completes surgical operation reports.
• Monitors and reports on stock levels of the various surgical supplies necessary to conduct the animal care and research  operations. Prepares purchase requests for supplies and equipment,  researches prices, sources, and specifications as necessary.
• Performs postoperative health checks and enters information into electronic health record data base, collect tissue samples, and administers treatments.
• Assists with maintaining computerized work schedules.
• Cleans and disinfects surgical supplies and instrumentation by an appropriate means for the material being cleaned. Assembles surgical instrument sets and supplies according to established guidelines or as directed.  
• Cleans surgical suites, hallways, prep areas, and central supply in accordance with published guidelines or as directed. 
• Assists with training of staff members (animal care, and investigative) regarding anesthesia, aseptic technique, surgical and technical procedures, and postoperative monitoring. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Requires 5 years of experience caring for animals in a veterinary hospital or laboratory animal facility including 2 years in a surgical setting and state certification through the Veterinary Medical Examining Board as a Veterinary Technician and certification or ability obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at the Laboratory Animal Technician level or equivalent combination of experience and training.

Skills and Abilities

• Independent competence to administer and maintain anesthesia for induction, intubations, maintenance and recovery of patients.
• Demonstrated experience operating a variety of surgical equipment including, but not limited to gas anesthetic machines, ventilators, pulse oximeters and CO2 monitors on a wide variety of animals.
• Veterinary nursing skills for intensive care patients.
• Excellent eye-hand coordination.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written formats.
• Ability to interact in a positive, productive manner with veterinary, scientific, and technical staff.
• Work efficiently and skillfully, with a variety of diverse staff and in difficult and stressful situations.
• Intermediate level skills in Word and Excel.
• Ability to prioritize work demands and coordinate departmental services to all users.
• Ability to interpret complex surgical/animal care procedures and participate in the development of written guidelines and policies.

Certifications

• Oregon state certification through the Veterinary Medical Examining Board as a Veterinary Technician and certification; or

• Ability to obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at the Laboratory Animal Technician level or equivalent combination of experience and training.

Preferred Qualifications

• BS in Animal Sciences, Biology, or related field; or Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology.

• 2 years experience caring for animals in a veterinary hospital or laboratory animal facility.

• 5 years surgical experience in a research setting.
• Advanced Excel and Word skills.
• Experience with electronic animal records system.
• Experience maintaining inventories on all supplies, equipment, and the pharmacy.

Additional Details

Working Conditions

Work may involve 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.  Work may involve exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals. Work may involve exposure to wet or slick walking surfaces and sanitizing chemicals. Rarely, work may require some activities to be performed in covered areas that are not environmentally controlled.  

Physical Demands and Equipment

The work involves lifting animals (up to 30lbs) from their cages after anesthesia, and also involves prolonged standing during surgical procedures. The workload will preclude taking regular rest breaks.  Good eyesight and normal color vision are required.

Benefits 

• Healthcare for full-time employees covered 100% and 88% for dependents.
• $50K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee.
• Two separate above market pension plans to choose from.
• Vacation - up to 200 hours per year dependent on length of service.
• Sick Leave - up to 96 hours per year.
• 9 paid holidays per year.
• Substantial Tri-Met and C-Tran discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Childcare service discounts.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Employee discounts to local and national businesses.

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]