Laboratory Animal Caretaker Veterinary Skill Required

at  Greater Los Angeles Veterans Research and Education Foundation

PLEASE READ THE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION.

• This position requires veterinary skills.
• Summary/content: Animal Caretaker.
• Location: Greater Los Angeles VA (Sepulveda and West Los Angeles).
• Salary: $43,646 - $56,746 per year.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) needs employees who possess energy and compassion.

At Greater Los Angeles, we are currently recruiting Animal Caretakers within the Veterinary Medical Unit (VMU) of Research Service.

• The VMU is responsible for husbandry and housekeeping for animals used by veterinary health technicians and biological laboratory technicians for research purposes.
• The incumbent is responsible for the care and maintenance of a variety of species of laboratory animals (mammals, reptiles, birds, and fish).

• Examine each animal daily for health conditions.
• Observe and recognize animal appearance or health abnormalities, and report these to the Animal Health Technician (AHT).
• Administers prophylactic treatment and simple medications to animals, including injections of antibiotics, anesthetics, analgesics, etc. as directed by the supervisor.
• Holds and restrains laboratory animals (all species) while they are manipulated by other caretakers or AHT.
• Collects specimens for biological and/or diagnostic purposes.
• Assists the supervisor, AHT, and/or the animal caretaker lead in receiving and processing newly arrivedanimals.
• Collects biological specimens (feces, urine, blood, and microbiological specimens) for clinical laboratory examination as directed by the supervisor.
• Checks and maintains the animal and cage identification system as directed by the supervisor.
• Euthanizes animals, using prescribed methods, when directed by the supervisor.
• Provides food, water, and cage care to the animals.
• Cleans, sanitizes and sometimes sterilizes the by prescribed methods the animal enclosures.
• Sanitizes cages and animal food and water dishes.
• Disposes of animal waste and bedding material according to established procedures.
• Operates equipment used to clean and sterilize animal cages, cage racks, water bottles, and sipper tubes.
• Maintains complete and accurate records of all job-related activities.
• Weekend rotations required, hours to be determined.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.