Lead Veterinary Technician

Company Description

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY:

Provide standard veterinary technical support for the departmental program of veterinary care. This will include monitoring the health and welfare of all research animals, providing necessary treatment, preventative maintenance, care, enrichment, record keeping, and participation in the rodent health surveillance program. Aid in the development of core veterinary technical skills to enhance in-house research studies. Work independently on weekends or holidays. Assist in the maintenance of the Program of Veterinary Care within the USDA, AAALAC and other governing agency guidelines and requirements. Assist research personnel in conducting research studies and assist in the education and training of other animal research staff members. Assist the clinical veterinarian with development of animal models and collaborative research efforts. Provides backup supervisory support of husbandry personnel and support of facility operations.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: % of Time or
Importance

1. Conduct daily health observations of all laboratory animals located in the vivarium in addition to rotation for weekends and holidays. Discuss health observations with the Clinical Veterinarian and other members of the veterinary staff, correspond with the Principal Investigator and their research team, follow up on the decided treatment plan. Conduct and oversee clinical treatments, routine diagnostic procedures, and prophylactic treatment of the research animals. Complete the necessary documentation of activities as defined in the departmental guidelines, policies and SOPs, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (ILAR) and USDA laws.

25%

2. Maintains appropriate documentation, handling, and archiving of data, as required by research, veterinary procedures and/or regulatory guidelines. Maintain and manage individual health records for all dogs and primates housed in the vivarium colony. Assist with management of the electronic records system. Maintain quarantine records for incoming animals and inspect newly arrived animals. Assist with all USDA, county and state mandatory documentation, vaccinations, TB tests, etc. Ensure that all vaccinations and other veterinary tests are carried out according to current veterinary standards and done on an appropriate schedule. Assist with the management of the Rodent Health Surveillance Program.

25%

3. Provide veterinary technical core support to the R&D efforts and participate in the development of unique services that will elevate the level of in-house expertise and quality of AbbVies animal research efforts. Leads, organizes, and schedules anesthesia support for surgery and study support activities. Schedule and coordinate activities with other team members. Disseminate and maintain information (anesthetics, analgesics, and surgical procedures) to expedite and improve early drug discovery and development efforts and give advice on laboratory animal related procedures. Oversee surgical procedures and pre and post-operative care. Assist AbbVie researchers in conducting their in vivo studies.

20%

4. Manage the socialization/enrichment daily activities for the various species housed in the vivarium. Participate with the team that evaluates the effectiveness of the program and contribute to the continuing development of the program. Provide innovative approaches to improving animal welfare and develop methods to measure success. Leads initiative to stay current on best practices and propose alternative methods, techniques, and initiatives to improve animal welfare.

15%

5. Assist the Clinical Veterinarian with development of animal models and in participation of collaborative research efforts with AbbVie Research Scientists.

15%

Significant Work Activities -Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day)

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

BS, BA, and 6-8 years Veterinary Technician experience or AHT and 4 years equivalent Veterinary Technician experience. CVT/RVT preferred.

Certification by AALAS at the LATG level desirable.

Demonstrates proficiency in highest level of technical expertise in a regulated and/or cross-functional capacity within laboratory animal medicine across all common laboratory animal species.

Proficient in anesthesia and surgical prep skills in all commonly housed species for advanced procedures.

Knowledge and ability to independently adapt work process and methods based on findings and/or literature review; may contribute new knowledge and/or techniques.

Multi-species including non-human primates and experience in a regulated environment preferred.

Essential Skills and Abilities

Excellent interpersonal, leadership and communication skills are necessary for interaction with multiple levels of personnel.

Ability to work with minimal supervision.

General familiarity with standard Office Computer Software.

Additional Information

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:

• The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.

• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
• This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Companys sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.

AbbVie is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives, serving our community and embracing diversity and inclusion. It is AbbVies policy to employ qualified persons of the greatest ability without discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected group status.