Animal Laboratory Health Technician, ATRI

Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute (ATRI) is a satellite facility part of University of Southern California, located in San Diego. The Department of Animal Resources is seeking an individual who is responsible, self-motivated, organized, and knowledgeable in animal health for the position of a Laboratory Animal Health Technician. The Department of Animal Resources takes pride in providing optimal animal care for all animals housed at the university for the purposes of biomedical research and teaching. This position provides animal health care for laboratory animals under the supervision of licensed veterinarians. The Laboratory Animal Health Technician performs routine clinical procedures on laboratory animal species including handling, restraint, examinations, sample collection, necropsy, and the administration of medications. This position is also responsible for the role of assisting as an Animal Technician including the roles of animal husbandry, including the daily care and well-being of the animals within the research facility. Weekends and holiday scheduling will be on a rotating basis.

Job Accountabilities

• Ensures that animals are cared for in accordance with state and federal regulations to promote physical and psychological well-being and minimize discomfort.

• Collects and processes diagnostic samples. Administers drugs and other treatments. Assists Veterinarians and Principal Investigators with handling animals during procedures.

• Provides care and treatment to research animals under veterinary supervision and assists principal investigators with treatments. Assists veterinarians with clinical cases as needed. Organizes surgery schedule. Provides anesthetic assistance and performs euthanasia under veterinary supervision. Responds to emergency situations for animals in surgery. Maintains emergency kit. Provides information to Business Office for billing charges to principal investigators.

• Assists in training researchers and staff in animal procedures and guidelines

• Evaluates animals for health and welfare daily. Communicates animal health or welfare problems to veterinary staff and the Principal Investigator. Assists in inspecting incoming animals for shipping condition, food supply, disease symptoms; performs physical examinations. Maintains accurate record keeping.

• Performs routine cleaning of animal cages and associated animal care equipment. Distributes food and water to animals and ensures that food and water are free from contamination.

• Provides humane euthanasia to animals as needed to minimize pain and distress and for colony maintenance, according to established protocols.

• Maintains paper and computerized animal records, records of facility cleaning and sanitation procedures, facility environmental conditions, and use and maintenance of equipment

• Assists veterinarians and Principal Investigators with handling animals during procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

Preferred Education: Bachelor's Degree in a Life Science or Animal Health Technology degree. Certification or eligibility for certification as a Registered Animal Health Technician by the state of California.

Preferred Skills: Communicate with others to gather information, maintain filing systems, prioritize different projects, read handwritten text, research information, schedule appointments/meetings, understand and apply policies and procedures. Animal handling, animal anesthesia, animal diagnostic testing, animal treatment, and animal surgery.

Benefits

USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff and their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions after six (6) months of employment; tuition benefits for staff and their family; free professional development online courses; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses, and free tram pick-up services; discounts to football, basketball and other campus events.

Application Procedure

As part of the application, candidates must upload a cover letter and resume or curriculum vitae, which includes a telephone number and e-mail address.

USC is an equal-opportunity educator and employer, proudly pluralistic and firmly committed to providing equal opportunity for outstanding persons of every race, gender, creed and background. The university particularly encourages members of underrepresented groups, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply. USC will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. Further information is available by contacting uschr@usc.edu.

The hourly rate range for this position is $26.66 - $28.23. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Minimum Education

Related Undergraduate Study Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 3 Years Minimum Field of Expertise: Courses in a Life Science or Animal Health Technology including: anatomy, physiology, radiology, microbiology, zoology, medical nursing, and related animal sciences. Experience with animal handling, animal treatment, veterinary diagnostics, animal anesthesia and surgical assistance in veterinary hospital or university environment.

The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity Employer that Values Diversity.

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Minimum Education: Related undergraduate study in related field(s) Additional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 3 years Minimum Skills: Experience with animal handling, animal treatment, veterinary diagnostics, animal anesthesia and surgical assistance in veterinary hospital or university environment. Certifications: Certification or eligibility as a California Registered Animal Health Technician.