Bioskills Lab Technician

Company: Case Western Reserve University
Location: Cleveland
Posted on: May 27, 2023

Job Description:

Salary Grade - Salary Grade 11 for staff working 37.5 hours per week
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. Job Description - POSITION OBJECTIVE Working with a high degree of independence and under general direction, perform tasks to support the operations group, including assisting in areas of surgical training, surgical assistance, research support, coordinating and planning training course logistics, animal welfare and technical services. Support the Director of the Surgical Training & Research core lab. Serve as manager of the surgical training and research lab attending to daily operations. This position is responsible for providing technical, physical, and administrative support to the surgical training and research lab, including supply inventory, equipment acquisition and maintenance, monitoring and documenting prescription and controlled drugs. This position is subject to compliance with Case Western Reserve University, Environmental Health & Safety, regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) guidelines, the State of Ohio Veterinary Practice Act, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration regulatory guidelines, US Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine regulations and other applicable regulatory guidelines. - ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintain surgical training and research core inventory: monitor supplies, reorder, restock as needed. Maintain a clean, orderly lab. Wash surgical instruments. Package instruments, equipment, and supplies for sterile processing. Autoclave surgical instruments. (20%)
• Prepare for upcoming events: Review calendar of events, prepare space, equipment, and supplies, set workstations as needed for open, laparoscopic, endoscopic, or advanced surgical techniques. (12%)
• Plan and prepare for live animal, human cadaver, or tissue models for use in events. Coordinate and interact with ARC and external vendors as needed. (10%)
• Coordinate and interact with training course vendors and sponsors to receive equipment and devices used in training courses. Competent working with and troubleshooting equipment and devices used in surgical procedures. (6%)
• Assist during events: assist with facility access, equipment needs, supplies, troubleshooting, helping attendees and faculty as needed. (6%)
• Assist principal investigator and/or research veterinary technician with animal anesthesia induction and preparation for surgery: draw drugs, sedate, transport and intubate swine and other animals for surgical procedures. Operate anesthesia machine, apply monitoring equipment, place IV catheter, administer IV fluids and meds. Perform bowel preparations/enema. (6%)
• Assist the principal investigator and/or research veterinary technician during surgical procedures. Manage large animal surgical model, including managing anesthesia, ventilation, monitoring pulse oximetry, end tidal C02, non-invasive/invasive blood pressure. Understanding and providing inotropes, pressors, and other drugs, adjusting parameters as needed to maintain stable model during training and research procedures. (6%)
• Assist with recovery of animals following procedures, including monitoring, administering analgesics, and transport of animals to housing areas. Perform post-operative medical evaluation and checklist on post-operative animals. Maintain medical records and consult with principal investigator and Animal Resource Center vet services on care. Conduct daily rounds; observe and treat animals with consultation from the principal investigator and lab director and manage animal care in consultation with the Animal Resources Center veterinarian as needed or as required based on governing regulations and research directives. (6%) - NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Receive, transport, store, and prepare human and animal cadaveric tissues for use in wide range of surgical models including spinal, plastic, neurosurgery, obstetrics and gynecology, urology, colorectal, orthopedic, endoscopic, and general surgical procedures. (5%)
• Assist during necropsy of animals with basic dissection, handling of tissues and harvest of tissues for subsequent use. (5%)
• Perform euthanasia, dismemberment, and discard animal carcasses at completion of animal use. Transport carcasses to designated storage. Restock biohazard bins and bags as needed. (5%)
• Request, inventory, record, disburse, and destroy prescription and controlled substances in accordance with drug enforcement agency guidelines and all applicable governing regulatory guidelines. Document use of all drugs on "proof of use" sheets. Monitor expiration dates of drugs and other supplies; assure that expired substances are not in use and are destroyed per regulatory guidelines. (5%)
• Review all MMR "sick" cards received. Interface with an Animal Resource Center veterinary services to determine and implement and document follow-up treatment or actions. In coordination with the attending veterinarian, follow-up with principal investigators regarding any problems with assigned research animals. Perform necropsies, including evaluation of post-mortem conditions. (3%)
• Assist residents, principal investigators, and course attendees during laparoscopic, endoscopic, and open surgical procedures. Perform laparoscopic retractions, operate laparoscopic camera and laparoscopic stapling devices. Operate endoscopic devices including snares, graspers, sclerotherapy needles, biopsy forceps. (1%)
• Review for accuracy data acquired from research studies. Assist in writing and editing abstracts and manuscripts for scientific presentation. (1%)
• Provide other technical services as requested. (1%)
• Maintain and monitor compliance to the university, medical school, Animal Resource Center, institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC), and applicable regulatory policies and procedures, including but not limited to animal welfare, animal safety, human safety, prescription drugs and controlled substances. This includes compliance with the medical school research administration and Animal Resource Center mission to provide professional and compassionate animal care. (2%) - CONTACTS Department: Daily contact with supervisor to plan for upcoming projects, review schedule of events and to conduct procedures. Monthly contact with attending surgeons and surgical residents during training sessions. Weekly contact with investigative staff during procedures. Monthly contact with course attendees during training events. (100%) University: Daily interaction with Animal Resource Center staff, attending veterinarians, veterinary technicians, animal care personnel, and managers regarding animal health, treatment, experimental procedures. Contact with IACUC staff regarding compliance, and various administrative matters. Frequent contact with purchasing department for ordering and tracking supplies. Frequent contact with receiving manager to coordinate shipping/receiving equipment and supplies. Periodic contact with facilities (carpentry, plumbing, electric, phone) to maintain surgical training and research core facilities in proper condition. Contact with University Technology to ensure surgical training and research Information Services are working properly. (80%) External: Contact with industry sponsors regarding equipment, supplies, scheduling, and facility access. Contact with service personnel for maintenance of equipment including anesthesia machines, laparoscopic towers and flexible endoscopes as needed. Weekly contact with medical industry professionals during training courses. Contact with catering services for access and set up during events. Contact with external vendors/suppliers for obtaining quotes for purchasing. (65%) Students: Periodic interaction with medical students attending courses in the lab, daily supervision of undergraduate student employee to delegate tasks. Supervision of summer student volunteers to define workload, responsibilities, and tasks. (15%) - SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY None. - QUALIFICATIONS Education: Associate's degree in an approved biotechnology program preferred. Veterinary technician degree with RVT license beneficial but not required. Experience: 2 to 4 years of experience in an animal research environment or relevant experience preferred but not required. - REQUIRED SKILLS
• Willing to assist surgical training and research core staff, clients, students, and industry sponsors as necessary to ensure success of the program.
• Able to work in a fast-paced, busy, exciting surgical training environment.
• Able to work weekends and/or long days as required to meet the clinician's schedules.
• Knowledge, understanding and ability to accurately apply commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within the field of veterinary services, specific to a veterinary technician role.
• Willing to comply with regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines, the State of Ohio Veterinary Practice Act, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration regulatory guidelines, US Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine regulations and other applicable regulatory guidelines.
• Willing to handle, restrain, administer substances and anesthesia, and provide monitoring and post - operative and other nursing care for a wide range of animal species including but not limited to rodents, rabbits, dogs, cats, and livestock.
• Willingness to work with human cadaveric tissue for range of surgical procedures
• Willing and able to lift up to 100 lb. sedated animals, human cadavers, tissues and equipment/ supplies.
• Willing and able to handle physically demanding tasks such as lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying boxes, containers, equipment, supplies.
• Ability to maintain familiarity and demonstrate knowledge of and compliance to Animal Resource Center policies and governing regulatory guidelines.
• Professional and effective verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to relay information articulately and accurately to investigators, research staff and other interested parties.
• Strong interpersonal skills: ability to work and communicate with various individuals from a broad spectrum of disciplines, technical and educational backgrounds within the department, school and university, and with individuals outside the University.
• Strong organization skills: ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines. Must demonstrate an attention to detail and accuracy, follow-through, and time management skills.
• Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively within a team. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Effective problem-solving skills; must demonstrate excellent analytical skills, sound judgment and good decision-making.
• Must demonstrate flexibility and ability to work under pressure; must be able and willing to work in a fast-paced, changing environment, and conform to shifting priorities, demands and timeline.
• Must be available to work some Saturdays, Sundays, early morning, or early evening hours when requested by supervisor. Hours will be flexed, or overtime paid.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, familiarity with Microsoft Excel, relational database software and with internet navigation. Ability to learn and apply software programs and applications as needed.
• Must demonstrate willingness to learn new techniques, procedures, processes, and computer programs as needed. - WORKING CONDITIONS This position will work directly with animals, including rodents, rabbits, dogs, cats, pigs, sheep, goats, and cow. This position will work directly with human cadaveric tissues including whole bodies, torsos, heads, limbs and other. This position may have direct contact with or have exposure to the following hazards: bloodborne pathogens, chemicals, infectious agents, select agents, radioactive materials, X - ray, human blood and tissue, animal blood and tissue, and formaldehyde. This position requires baseline evaluation of hearing and vision. This position may require the ability to independently lift or assist with lifting animals and cadavers ranging from small to large (up to 100 lb.). This positon will require moving heavy equipment, cases, totes, and boxes. The nature of this position may require the use of a respirator. This position will be required to work some weekend, early morning, or evening hours. This position is subject to an FBI check and fingerprinting. CWRU's animal facilities are accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) and is managed according to the "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals" appropriate Federal Animal Welfare Regulations, and the Public Health Service "Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals." This position, and all animal research personnel, are subject to internal compliance to the medical school Animal Resource Center standard operating procedures and to compliance regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines, the State of Ohio Veterinary Practice Act, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration regulatory guidelines, US Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine regulations and other applicable regulatory guidelines. Diversity Statement - In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. . Reasonable Accommodations - Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity -at 216-368-3066 -to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis. . COVID Vaccination - Case Western Reserve University has implemented a COVID Vaccination policy requiring evidence of COVID-19 vaccination for all students, faculty and staff with an on-campus presence. Religious and medical exemptions may be provided in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. For more information go to: Applicants may contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 / equity@case.edu for information regarding religious or medical exemptions as an accommodation.

Keywords: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland , Bioskills Lab Technician, Healthcare , Cleveland, Ohio