Veterinary Surgery Technician

The Department of Surgery is seeking a Veterinary Surgery Technician to support exciting and fast-paced research projects. We are looking for a hard-working professional to join our group as an integral part of our clinical research team. The laboratory is active in kidney research including two research areas: 1) xenotransplantation, and (2) islets studies pertaining to diabetes. A technician is needed to assist in experiments using large animal models and must have experience in basic laboratory techniques, including animal care, handling and surgery/anesthesia monitoring. Good lab practices (GLP) must be followed for all study materials. The successful candidate must be organized and detailed oriented with animal care, animal handling, surgical record keeping, a data acquisition.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Surgical-Anesthetist Responsibilities

• Prepare animals for imaging, minimally invasive procedures, and/or surgery by performing manual restraint, pre-anesthetic administration, IV placement, intubation, clipping and scrubbing animals, anesthetic administration, anesthetic monitoring, and patient positioning.
• Prepare tissue, blood, and urine samples for submission and shipping to third party labs for evaluation.
• Place central arterial and venous access lines.
• Act as the operating room nurse, surgical assistant, lab manager or anesthetist.
• Provide post-operative care including pain management, cleaning, and animal comfort.
• Set up and break down surgical & imaging facilities including cleaning and disinfecting the suite and cleaning, packing and sterilizing instruments.
• Prevent and handle anesthesia emergencies, mechanical ventilation, and CPR.
• Endotracheal intubation of difficult species including birds, rabbits, and pigs.
• Imaging and operative room assistant including basic operation of imaging equipment (X-ray fluoroscopy and MRI), physiological monitors, and anesthesia machines.
• Maintain all clinical and surgical equipment including x-ray and anesthesia machines, ECG, cautery, autoclaves, etc.
• Perform intake and discharge of veterinary clinical cases.
• Provide communication with referring veterinarians, clients, faculty, staff, and security personnel.
• Assist with lifting companion animals weighing 50-100+ pounds.
• May not have contra-indications to working in MRI or CT environment.

Research

• Assist investigators in various research protocols, including maintaining animals under anesthesia while performing imaging scans and other varied research studies.
• Assist with the collection of tissues for histopathology, submission of tissues for processing, and limited histopathological staining.
• Draft animal protocols and health, safety, and environment documents pertaining to the laboratory.
• Maintain inventory and supplies used in lab.
• Maintain general cleanliness and organization of laboratories.
• Maintain logs that adhere to standards for JHU, JHMI, USDA, and NIH policies.

Clinical Care & Health Maintenance

• Administer medication for treatment through multiple routes including oral and parenteral.
• Obtain samples from multiple species including but not limited to blood, urine, feces and lavage fluids.
• Perform health maintenance for dogs, cats, pigs and rabbits.

Teaching

• Teach investigators, fellows and technical staff to perform various technical procedures.
• Train personnel in routine clinical care, daily maintenance of animals under medical treatment, maintenance and monitoring animals during all phases of anesthesia, including proper dosage and proper route of anesthesia for a variety of species.

Inventory Control

• Stock pharmacy with veterinary supplies, lab supplies and drugs.
• Keep controlled substance log and perform quarterly inventory of controlled substances.
• Order supplies and equipment for imaging, surgery, and animal health care.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Develop standard operating procedures.
• Maintain anesthesia logbooks, clinical trial logbooks, and electronic records.
• Schedule imaging/surgery and technical service procedures. Prepare bills for services provided.

Technical Responsibilities

• Perform weekly preventative maintenance on imaging and laboratory equipment.
• Maintain and schedule all licensure, safety and mandated laboratory requirements.

• Associate's Degree in veterinary technology or related discipline.
• Some related experience.
• Additional experience may substitute for required education, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Classified Title: Veterinary Surgery Technician
Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/02/CD
Starting Salary Range: $17.20 - $30.30 HRLY ($51,000 targeted; Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: M-F 9-5
Exempt Status:Non-Exempt
Location:School of Medicine Campus
Department name: SOM Sur Transplant Surgery
Personnel area: School of Medicine