CLASSIFICATION & REGULAR HOURS

Hours per Week: 35
Salary Grade: Level P
Please note, this is a 1 year temporary full time contract opportunity.

ABOUT US

ACVS’s vision is to advance excellence in research through collaborative and innovative service, education, and animal welfare.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• 2 year Community College Diploma (Veterinary Technician)
• Registered Veterinary Technician, Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians
• CALAS Certification; Registered Laboratory Animal Technician (RLAT) completed or in progress is preferred
• Certified in First Aid an asset

Experience:

• 4 years’ experience as a veterinary technician
• 6 months experience maintaining an online training platform
• Experience as a veterinary technician in an academic research environment preferred
• 1 year of experience providing hands-on training in species-specific techniques on live research animals would be an asset

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to provide instruction and hands-on demonstrations for groups and one-on-one
• Demonstrated ability to accurately and consistently assess trainee skill levels
• Knowledge and demonstrated skills pertaining to all common laboratory animals, including husbandry, common diseases and parasites
• Demonstrated ability to recognize normal and abnormal behavior and conditions
• Ability to conduct sample collection in all lab animal species, including but not limited to: blood collection, fecal collection, pelage exam and acetate tape sample collection
• Ability to conduct common technical procedures for all lab animal species, including injections (SQ, IM, IV), gavaging, ear tagging, medication & fluid administration
• Ability to administer anesthetics and analgesics, conduct effective anesthetic monitoring and effectively and calmly respond to anesthetic emergencies
• Ability to use and calibrate monitoring equipment used at ACVS
• Knowledge of analgesic and surgical principles, with an ability to provide surgical assistance, including surgical prep, post-operative care, surgical monitoring
• Ability to operate and an understanding of lab and surgery equipment, including microscope, autoclave, centrifuge, fume hood; Vet Test Machine; Anesthetic machines
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with an ability to write clear and precise procedural documentation
• Demonstrated ability to provide timely and consistent animal health professional care to research animals that aligns with regulatory and institutional requirements
• Proven ability to work successfully in a team environment
• Ability to identify and thoroughly investigate issues and collaboratively resolve problems using sound judgment, analytical and problem-solving skills in a consultative manner
• Proven attention to detail, organizational and multi-tasking skills with demonstrated ability to maintain accurate and up-to-date records
• Basic Computer Skills in Microsoft Office
• Demonstrated ability to consistently utilize ergonomically sound processes in accordance with Western’s Rehabilitation Services assessments and OH&S guidelines while performing physical activities

In conjunction with subject matter experts, the Animal Care Committee (ACC) and ACVS leaders, the Animal Lab Specialist will assist with the development and delivery of the animal user training program to animal-based scientists within Western’s research community, as per CCAC, CALAM ‘Standards of Veterinary Care’ and related institutional policies and procedures. The role will act as the primary trainers for, and evaluators of, animal-users involved in hands-on workshops and competency assessments. The role will act as primary liaisons between trainees, their Principal Investigators and other stakeholders for training program-related communications. The role will maintain and distribute related records, bill for services, provide associated reports, and provide support for ACC site visits. The role will maintain related resources, including animals, spaces, equipment and supplies, in alignment with regulatory and institutional policies and budgetary constraints.
The role will be shared and is affected by seasonal and situational demand fluctuations; therefore, the allocation of duties to each individual is based upon situational need. As with all positions within ACVS, this role requires the individual to consistently demonstrate sincere compassion for research animals, high adaptability, attention to detail, efficient multi-tasking, effective teamwork and communication skills, and discretion.