RESEARCH TECHNICIAN III

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 2,500 faculty physicians and researchers, more than 1,300 students, and more than 6,000 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, Duke University Health System and the Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC) comprise Duke Health. a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Work Performed

Performs a variety of complex technical activities involved in conducting physical, chemical, biological, and other research laboratory tests, experiments, and determinations to obtain data for clinical or research purposes.

Coordinate and perform technical animal procedures for researcher; interact with researcher in scheduling and performing duties; maintain records and write reports in accordance with general laboratory procedures.

Monitors health status for all species within the STARC study support scope. Serve as liaison to the DLAR clinical veterinarians in providing health care to the animals; administer daily research related and veterinary prescribed treatments and medications for animals as instructed or required; assist in or provide routine and emergency medical treatment per protocol or under the direct advisement of the DLAR clinical veterinarian.

Regularly attends various rounds and laboratory meetings as directed.

Assist with implementing activities to meet the behavioral and enrichment needs of various species (primarily NHP) including but not limited to behavioral assessments, socialization, operant training, NHP cage safety, etc. as assigned and under the advisement of the DLAR Behavioral and Enrichment Director

Anesthetize animals as required and serve as circulating nurse during procedures requiring anesthetized animals; assist in animal surgery as requested; administer routine, post-operative and daily treatments to animals as instructed, prescribed, and/or required; assist in diagnostic treatments such as performing routine hematologic and parasitological test and collecting blood and other diagnostic specimens. Document all necessary information into corresponding records.

Perform technical skills such as venipuncture, surgical assistance, animal restraint (especially NHP), radiology and injections; further NHP duties will include participating in developing and maintaining an appropriate and varied enrichment plan for NHPs and documenting such efforts; evaluate potential problems relating to the health and social welfare of animals; notify DLAR veterinarian on call of perceived problems and/or take action to correct changes in environmental conditions which effect the well-being of the animals; formulate and administer special diets to ensure adequate vitamins and trace mineral elements; determine animal food needs and place regular food orders with special vendors as needed, ensuring optimum cost and variety in diet; feed and water animals according to schedule; ensure complete and accurate maintenance of all animal laboratory records which may include GLP study management.

Collect samples for routine hematologic and parasitological tests as needed.

Schedules and attends pre-study meetings that involve STARC support services. Provides feedback with protocol amendments/changes, etc.

Interacts with Core Director and Manager(s) involving any changes to or development of SOPs as it relates to any technical, surgical, and/or enrichment responsibilities related to STARC activities.  Follow STARC SOPs and implement and maintain QA/QC processes that ensure compliance.

Aid in managing and maintaining the organization, scheduling, development, documentation, etc. for a given project. Regularly assesses the progression of the project. Consistently meets service expectations in terms of timeliness and customer appreciation.

Ensures STARC maintains regulatory compliance with Institutional Policies related to all animal activities. This includes IACUC, OLAW-NIH, USDA, DEA, and AAALAC Intl. Policies.

Determines and sets up instruments, material and apparatus and operates complex laboratory equipment required for specific tests.

Ensure complete and accurate maintenance of all animal records.

Provide guidance and mentorship to various externs/interns/residents/visiting faculty, etc.  hosted by the department.

Perform weeknights, weekends, and holiday rotations as assigned. Position is “Essential” as defined by Duke University Severe Weather Policy.

Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Preferred Experience:

Clinical observations & evaluations of animal health status; assist in surgery; anesthetize and intubate animals; administer daily treatments and medications; basic animal restraint techniques (excluding primates); basic diagnostic lab techniques; basic radiograph techniques; participate in enrichment plan; anesthetize and intubate swine, NHPs, rabbits, dogs; basic NHP’s restraint techniques; large animal technical skills; rodent, rabbit, etc. health evaluation and treatments; ability to follow and enhance enrichment plan for NHP and other species; manage and maintain the organization, scheduling, development, documentation, etc. for the given project; regularly assess the progression of the project; consistently meet service expectations in terms of timeliness and customer appreciation.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education/Training

Work generally requires skills acquired through the completion of a bachelor's degree in botany, biology, zoology, psychology or other science related scientific field program.

Experience

Work requires two years of research experience. A related master's degree may offset required years of experience on a 1:1 basis, e.g., a two year master's degree in lieu of two years of experience.

OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.  A related master's degree or work experience may offset required years of experience on a 1:1 basis, e.g., a two-year master's degree in lieu of two years of experience. 

Skills

Adaptability meaning- the ability to be flexible and adjust to changing factors, conditions, or environments. A growth mindset is a must and is essential in creating a positive influence in regard to taking on new challenges. However we want to word that specific to our work.

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/adaptability-skills

Teamwork skills- an essential expectation. Must be able to adapt to different personalities and work dynamics. Have skills in dealing with conflict, differing ideas, and other dynamics. And as the general expectation says, “Work as part of a team to ensure all needed care of animals is completed in a timely fashion.”

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/teamwork-skills

STARC Refining Skills

Large animal handling skills; swine, dog, rabbit, NHP, etc. handling; phlebotomy; placing catheters; prepare surgical packs; intensive care and emergency care; support for major and minor surgical and non-surgical procedures; able to train PI staff in lab animal technical skills; interact collaboratively and collegially with high risk, high visibility groups and animal model species.

Job Code: 00000691 RESEARCH TECHNICIAN III
Job Level: 10

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.

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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.