Teaching Support Assistant, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

at  The University of Calgary

Description
The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine invites applications for a Teaching Support Assistant. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 2 years (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.
Reporting to the Manager, Clinical Teaching Technicians, the Teaching Support Assistant carries out various activities that support teaching in the DVM undergraduate program at the Spy Hill Campus of the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM). The DVM program at UCVM is expanding in September 2020 and we are currently recruiting additional staff to join our team.
Teaching activities take place in laboratory environments which include the large animal and small animal wards, and require competence working with large and small animals. Work assignment may also include general animal husbandry activities in the Animal Support Unit during high periods of work or coverage for employee absence.
The position can be physically demanding and the ability to safely lift moderate to heavy supplies/equipment is required. Work is of varying complexity, with peak periods and short timelines for completion.
The position is based at the Spy Hill Campus. However, travel to Main Campus, Foothills Campus and W.A. Ranches may be required. Transportation between sites for the purpose of shipping/receiving will be provided; however possessing a valid driver license is a requirement. On occasion there may be the need to work outside of regular hours including weekends.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Responsible to complete routine cleaning of specialized equipment and large animal and small animal wards (laboratories) according to Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) standards. Expected to follow strict safety standards to avoid disease or contamination or personal injury
• Interact with staff and assist with the organization, set up and disassembly of teaching wards & labs for the undergraduate Clinical Skills, Professional Skills, Anatomy, and Pathology courses
• Support the teaching of routine care and medical procedures on cadavers and live animals
• Operate a truck and stock trailer when required to transfer large animals to the teaching facility as well as safely load and unload livestock into trailer
• Pick up and safely transport equipment and specimens needed for the teaching programs
• Clean equipment utilized in the teaching wards and laboratories as well as safely transfer equipment to the sterilization center for processing. Must apply best practices for aseptic techniques to ensure equipment and instruments are free of contaminants and that sterilization is not compromised
• Work with chemicals safely and properly, e.g. dilutions, using appropriate containers and protective gear
• Maintain a supply of consumable products utilized in the teaching wards and laboratories. Collaborate with Central Services to ensure required items are purchased
• Ensure that equipment and work space/facilities supplied by the University are maintained and kept in good order and meets safety requirements
• Ensure work is performed in a safe manner particularly when working with large equipment and when engaged in physically demanding labour intensive activities
• Working with an Animal Husbandry Care Attendant, will provide basic husbandry care as required during periods of high activity: Routine husbandry care consists primarily of feeding and watering animals, cleaning cages, and minor technical procedures, general care of facilities. Will document and log activities as per SOP
• May be required to work with multiple species of animals, ranging from rodents to farm animals to wildlife
• Monitors animals for changes in behaviour or other signs of illness and follows CCAC and University guidelines to ensure that animals are in a fed, clean, and safe state
• Performs administrative tasks related to animals and equipment use and tracking
• Must be able to identify problems and take appropriate action to resolve them independently or seek the advice of the Manager or the Clinical Teaching Support Technicians
• Ensure the Manager is kept informed of activities, changes or problems and make recommendations and suggests solutions pertaining to enhancing teaching support initiatives
• Responsible for assisting in the development and refinement of services in anticipation of growth and increased demand for services
• Must be flexible and able to adjust levels of service delivery to meet the timelines and varying peaks in workload
• Perform at a very high degree of accuracy, efficiency with an understanding that services have a direct impact on teaching

QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS:

• Completion of Grade XII required
• Demonstrated ability to function as a productive team member as well as work independently
• Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate both verbal and written essential
• Evidence of an ability to work with a wide variety of animals, either through direct education or a combination of education and experience
• Ability to perform physically demanding and manual work, with some heavy lifting such as large animal handling equipment
• Must possess a valid Class 5 driver license and a clean driver abstract
• Proficiency in a variety of software applications (MS office, PeopleSoft, and Internet)
• Ability to disassemble/assemble and maintain equipment is necessary. Possessing mechanical aptitude is considered an asset
• Some post-secondary education (such as courses from an Agricultural College or industry related or veterinary supply vendors) would be considered an asset
• Previous animal husbandry care experience with livestock is considered an asset as is familiarity with large animal handling
• Ability to operate a truck and stock trailer when required to transfer large animals to the teaching facility as well as safely load and unload livestock into trailer is considered an asset
• Relevant experience as followed is preferred:
• Veterinary Clinics
• University Research Animal Care Facility
• Animal care organization such as SPCA
• Farm/ranch/livestock
• An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered
  Application Deadline: November 27, 2024
  We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
  This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 1.
  For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

• Responsible to complete routine cleaning of specialized equipment and large animal and small animal wards (laboratories) according to Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) standards. Expected to follow strict safety standards to avoid disease or contamination or personal injury
• Interact with staff and assist with the organization, set up and disassembly of teaching wards & labs for the undergraduate Clinical Skills, Professional Skills, Anatomy, and Pathology courses
• Support the teaching of routine care and medical procedures on cadavers and live animals
• Operate a truck and stock trailer when required to transfer large animals to the teaching facility as well as safely load and unload livestock into trailer
• Pick up and safely transport equipment and specimens needed for the teaching programs
• Clean equipment utilized in the teaching wards and laboratories as well as safely transfer equipment to the sterilization center for processing. Must apply best practices for aseptic techniques to ensure equipment and instruments are free of contaminants and that sterilization is not compromised
• Work with chemicals safely and properly, e.g. dilutions, using appropriate containers and protective gear
• Maintain a supply of consumable products utilized in the teaching wards and laboratories. Collaborate with Central Services to ensure required items are purchased
• Ensure that equipment and work space/facilities supplied by the University are maintained and kept in good order and meets safety requirements
• Ensure work is performed in a safe manner particularly when working with large equipment and when engaged in physically demanding labour intensive activities
• Working with an Animal Husbandry Care Attendant, will provide basic husbandry care as required during periods of high activity: Routine husbandry care consists primarily of feeding and watering animals, cleaning cages, and minor technical procedures, general care of facilities. Will document and log activities as per SOP
• May be required to work with multiple species of animals, ranging from rodents to farm animals to wildlife
• Monitors animals for changes in behaviour or other signs of illness and follows CCAC and University guidelines to ensure that animals are in a fed, clean, and safe state
• Performs administrative tasks related to animals and equipment use and tracking
• Must be able to identify problems and take appropriate action to resolve them independently or seek the advice of the Manager or the Clinical Teaching Support Technicians
• Ensure the Manager is kept informed of activities, changes or problems and make recommendations and suggests solutions pertaining to enhancing teaching support initiatives
• Responsible for assisting in the development and refinement of services in anticipation of growth and increased demand for services
• Must be flexible and able to adjust levels of service delivery to meet the timelines and varying peaks in workload
• Perform at a very high degree of accuracy, efficiency with an understanding that services have a direct impact on teachin