Comparative Medicine Specialist Senior

School of Medicine

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

JOB SUMMARY

In the Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR), the Comparative Medicine Specialist (CMS) Senior works with an assigned team to provide guidance and training to the incoming husbandry staff in a designated research area. This position reports to an Operations Manager, Assistant Operations Manager, or CMS Assistant Manager in an assigned area based on the overall operational needs of DLAR. The DLAR CMS Senior position may perform any of the tasks outlined below. The portfolio of duties for the CMS Senior position may change based on operational needs but will be contained to the overall scope of the role within the husbandry team.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Working Schedule

• Must be able to work a flexible working schedule based on workload and deadlines;
• Must be able to work schedules as assigned by the Operations Manager or his/her designee for that specific animal facility;
• Must be able to work assigned standard schedules, including (but not limited to) Mon-Fri, Wed-Sun, and Tue-Sat shifts;
• Must be able to work on rotating on-call duties after hours and on weekends;
• Must be able to work on holidays as assigned.

Occupational Health and Safety

As a safeguard for the employee and the animals, medical examinations and risk assessments are performed. Some immunizations or further diagnostics may be required before working with specific animals or animal populations as determined by occupational health medical personnel, including, but not limited to:

• TB testing and clearance;
• Hepatitis B (proof of immunization and/or vaccination);
• Rabies (proof of immunization and/or vaccination);
• Tetanus (current vaccination less than 10 years);
• Measles (proof of immunization and/or vaccination);
• Periodic physical examinations (including respiratory fit tests);
• Other vaccines or testing as required by EOHW standards.

Hazard Exposure

The animal facility has a variety of environmental conditions. Specifically, employees may be exposed to potentially hazardous noise, dust, chemicals, extreme heat, and animal waste products. The duration of exposure to any of the above is dependent on assigned duties. Some aspects of this position may expose the incumbent to potentially zoonotic and other biohazardous agents. Appropriate protective clothing and equipment may be required and will be provided when required, accompanied by appropriate training.

WORK PERFORMED

1.  Performs all duties and responsibilities of the CMS level and serves as backup in their absence. This includes all husbandry duties, maintaining animal inventory, husbandry, and room maintenance records, and performing facility sanitation in assigned facilities. 

2.  Performs daily work involving the handling of conventional and genetically engineered animal models with varying health status.

3.  Continuously evaluates processes and procedures for efficiency and effectiveness, making recommendations of improvements to the Operations Manager as appropriate.

4.  Performs duties within various animal biosafety levels and strictly follows biocontainment procedures. 

5.  Provides guidance and training to the CMS positions and various laboratory research staff.

6.  Performs proficiency checks on employees regularly to include documentation and follow-up to ensure proper training.

7.  Uses current technology to perform laboratory animal husbandry duties, including but not limited to recording daily cage census, animal health observations, and weaned cages.

8.  Communicates professionally and respectfully, both verbally and in writing. Reads emails at least daily and professionally composes emails.

9.  Communicates with the Veterinary Staff regularly about all health observations and confirmed conditions; assists in the development of new operational approaches that are likely to minimize the incidence of common problems. Communicate with the laboratory research staff as

      directed about health concerns.

10.  Performs microbiological monitoring following approved procedures.

11.  Coordinates receipt of animals for assigned areas. Performs initial inspections of incoming or newly arrived animals and assures that they are in good health and that the animals in shipping containers meet the specifications of accompanying shipping records. Assists the

       Import/Export and Transfer Specialists with animal imports, exports, and transfers, making sure that identified animals are selected and properly routed. 

12.  Provides specialized technical assistance to veterinarians and research staff. Serves as a resource to research staff in the preparation and the conduct of their approved protocols.

13.  Provides support or management for special projects of a highly critical and/or complex nature.

14.  Assists with the implementation of the environmental enrichment program and assesses animals for behavioral problems; may change enrichment devices based on knowledge of behavioral problems and proper devices as appropriate. 

15.  Assists in quarantine, isolation, and housing of animals in the Duke facilities with any special health concerns to protect the health of other colony animals.

16.  Assists in conducting CMS meetings, training, and team-building activities as scheduled by the supervisory staff.

17.  Acts as point of contact for assigned husbandry processes.

18.  Complies with DLAR and Duke Policies and standard operating procedures.

19.  Performs other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

SKILLS

• Demonstrated proficiency (didactic and practical) for core DLAR SOPs.
• Ability to lift and move 50lbs. regularly and stand for long periods.
• Customer-focused attitude and enjoys working with similarly dedicated persons in a team fashion within a high-energy research environment.
• Ability to work independently and lead the work of others.
• Ability to make decisions within the facility operations and address unusual situations that arise within the animal research facilities.
• Ability to clearly, respectfully, and timely correspond with researchers in writing and orally in a manner that is customer-focused while assuring regulatory compliance.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Anticipated Pay Range

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $18.69 to USD $28.28. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. 

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members.

Learn more at:  https: //hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Education

High school diploma or equivalent. ALAT certification is required; LATcertification is preferred.

Experience

Three years of laboratory animal care experience.

OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.

Degrees, Licensures, Certifications

ALAT certification required; LAT certification preferred. Team leadership or supervisory experience preferred.

Completion of in-house didactic/classroom team leader training and practicum.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.