Jobs for People with MS: National MS Society

Req #: 235058

Department: WASHINGTON NATIONAL PRIMATE CENTER (WaNPRC)

Posting Date: 06/03/2024

Closing Info: Open Until Filled

Salary: $8,540 - $16,327 per month

Shift: First Shift

Notes: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-professional-staff-librarians-academic-staff-20230119_a11y.pdf)

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

The values of diversity, equity and inclusion are integral to the success of our research enterprise and are embedded in the culture of who we are as an institution and employer. We create progressive change honoring the unique and diverse perspectives in the Office of Research and the UW research community. We strengthen our commitment to the core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion by fostering an environment of authenticity in support of our mission to provide an equitable and accessible community to all. Read more here: https://www.washington.edu/research/or/office-of-research-diversity-equity-and-inclusion/

The mission of the Washington National Primate Research Center (WaNPRC) is to provide the appropriate environment to support outstanding biomedical research directed towards significant human health issues and nonhuman primate health and biology. In addition, the following core values link this position to our mission as a Center: • Commitment to Research • Teamwork • Accountability - Productivity • Communication

Under the general direction of the head of the Veterinary Services group, this position provides critical veterinary care of nonhuman primates (NHPs) used for research and breeding at the WaNPRC. This position will have the primary duties to include but not limited to performance of specialized work related to the health, care and management of nonhuman primates at the WaNPRC. This position requires clinical and surgical veterinary skills, the ability to maintain clinical records and databases, computer literacy, strong organizational skills, support of research procedures and communication with investigators, direct interaction with diverse groups within the WaNPRC and the ability to work with minimal supervision.

This position must ensure the optimal veterinary care of nonhuman primates (NHPs) at WaNPRC and ensure the support of research as well as breeding programs within the WaNPRC facilities.

This position must:
• Ensure the optimal veterinary health care of Non-Human Primates (NHPs) at the WaNPRC; • Ensure the University of Washington is in compliance with federal regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), National Institute of Health (NIH), and with accreditation standards of the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Lab Animal are (International) (AAALAC); • Support research projects at the WaNPRC by consultation with investigators and oversight of technical research procedures. • Support the health of WaNPRC breeding colonies.

Position Duties and Responsibilities: Veterinary Services (50%)
• Perform preventative medicine including but not limited to: quarantine procedures, dental procedures, review of health records and physiological blood data values of research and colony animals, review of and modification of clinical treatment and research protocols; • Develop and implement plans for preventative medicine including review of present preventative plans and modification of preventative plans or protocols based on clinical successful/non-successful clinical outcomes; • Participate in animal health maintenance including but not limited to: surveillance of colony animal health in conjunction with other veterinary clinical staff and colony staff, infectious disease testing, routine physical exams and bio-sample analysis for research and colony animals, dental health examination. • Present weekly summary of open clinical cases and follow-up results of closed clinical cases during weekly clinical rounds meetings; • Provide care to sick or injured animals including provision of follow-up care and release from clinical treatment; • Maintain clinical records in a custom electronic database, the Animal Research Management System (ARMS); • Keep continuous surveillance for clinical signs of disease and injury; • Perform radiology, ultrasound, endoscopic, and surgical procedures; • Provide care for pregnant and neonatal NHPs; • Determine and direct use of anesthetic and analgesic agents; • Perform sedation and anesthesia with controlled drugs; • Provide guidance to surgical support staff on instrumentation, sanitation practices, surgical suite maintenance; • Provide patient peri-operative anesthesia and monitoring as needed; • Provide and oversee post-operative intensive care, including the use of sedatives, analgesics, and antibiotics; • Provide weekend/holiday on call coverage across all Seattle facilities involving NHPs assigned to a variety of research projects; • Perform the duties required of Essential Personnel members in the event of an emergency; • Ensure that all procedures performed have the appropriate regulatory and internal approvals prior to being performed; • Communicate regularly with veterinary, husbandry, pathology, behavioral management staff; • Stay current on all required training; • Perform other duties as assigned.

Research Support (30%)
• Maintain detailed records regarding individual laboratory animals, e.g., animal health, weights, procedures performed, medications administered, project assignments, etc. within regulatory requirements and WaNPRC guidelines; • Review viral testing records to ensure maintenance of SPF colony status; • Monitor progression of AIDS in lentivirus-infected animals, and take appropriate actions to support animal welfare; • Assist investigators with protocol development and study scheduling; • Consult with investigators regarding study progression; • Train and oversee technical staff performing research procedures and anesthesia; • Perform research surgeries and procedures, and develop new techniques; • Assist with grant preparation and review where applicable.

Regulatory Compliance (20%)
• Maintain compliance with all USDA, PHS, AAALAC, UW, and WaNPRC policies and procedures • Provide direct monitoring of clinical cases and present verbal and written reports to the University of Washington Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Attending Veterinarian. • Provide supervision of veterinary clinical staff members as needed; • Provide training to veterinary technicians, husbandry staff, students, residents, and visiting scientists; • Assist in management of controlled substance inventory; • Conduct clinical research, either independently or collaboratively, to advance knowledge regarding nonhuman primate medicine and research use. Information gained is to be reported in local and national forums and peer reviewed literature. • Participate in continuing education opportunities, including small animal continuing education courses and literature pertaining to nonhuman primates; nonhuman primate related conferences and meetings, specialty practice conferences and inter-department research related lectures and literature. • Provide orientation, training, and refresher training for on-site personnel; • Write and review Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); • Participate in WaNPRC and UW committees and Primate Center Consortium working groups.

This position will provide technical direction to the Veterinarian Services, Animal Care, and Research Support staff.

Requirements: • Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from a College of Veterinary Medicine that is accredited by the American Veterinary Association or has a certificate issued by the American Veterinary Association’s Education Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG in progress will be considered), and a license to practice veterinary medicine in at least one state; • The ability to obtain a license to practice in the state of Washington and National USDA accreditation. • A minimum of three years of clinical and surgical experience with laboratory animals including nonhuman primates, or completed lab animal residency. • It is necessary to have clinical proficiency with primates, a high level of technical skills specific to primates, understanding of animal welfare regulations and an understanding and proficiency in biosafety principles. • Excellent written and oral communication skills. • Proficiency in use of computers including use of word processing, spreadsheets, database software, and internet usage. • Demonstrated capacity to work well independently and in collaboration with a diverse staff.

Desired: • Board certification in Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM). • Experience with nonhuman primates assigned to AIDS-related research projects. • Research surgical and imaging (ultrasound, endoscopy, and laparoscopy) experience. • Teaching experience both in a classroom setting and with individuals. • Supervisory experience.

Conditions of Employment: Since this position will be handling controlled substances, the successful candidate will be required to have a successful outcome of a criminal history background check,

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of health assessment at the UW's Employee Health Clinic. The health assessment may include but is not limited to tuberculosis clearance, measles clearance, serum banking, immunizations, such as tetanus and vaccinia, physical exam and/or review of work health history, x-rays, and/or assessment to wear positive or negative respiratory protective equipment. These health assessments will be repeated periodically during work assignments.

Punctuality, regular and predictable attendance is an essential job function of this position.

May be required to work with and take specific precautions, against and/or be immunized against potentially infectious agents. Specific precautions may include wearing respirators and/or protective clothing. Employee is personally responsible for following health & safety and security policies/procedures, and staying current on all required training. Bloodborne pathogen training and compliance with all WaNPRC and UW security policies is also mandatory. This position involves handling non-human primates and human pathogenic organisms. The ability to work in an ABSL 2 with 3 practices containment facility is required.

In addition, the employee is required to maintain all necessary licensing credentials as determined by State and Federal Law.

Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.