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 2,600 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.

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 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.

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 prior to 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 of 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

• 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 surveillance for all species within the DLAR census. Serve as liaison to the Veterinarian in providing health care to the animals; administer daily treatments and medications for animals as instructed or required; assist in or provide routine and emergency medical treatment.
• Regularly attends various veterinary rounds and departmental meetings as directed.
• Provides or places permanent IDs and/or replacement IDs to animals that require it.
• Handles large animal cage card requests whether bred in-house and/or arriving from outside institution (animals that either need an alternate ID or bred in house).
• Maintains semi-annual, annual, and monthly schedules of vaccines, weights/nail trims, new arrivals exams, and other similar recurring events for multiple species in accordance with the DLAR health calendar.
• Assist with implementing activities to meet the behavioral and enrichment needs of various species including but not limited to behavioral assessments, socialization, operant training, NHP cage safety, etc. as assigned.
• 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; perform antibody production in a variety of species, which requires knowledge of antigen boosting and blood collection techniques; evaluate potential problems relating to the health and social welfare of animals; notify supervisor 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 vendors, ensuring optimum cost and variety in diet; feed and water animals according to schedule; ensure complete and accurate maintenance of all animal records; assist in processing health inspections and related requirements for interstate and international shipment of animals; transport animals, supplies and materials; operate motor vehicles as required.
• Assists in the veterinary diagnostic laboratory, performing routine hematologic and parasitological tests as needed.
• Schedules and attends pre-study meetings that involve DLAR support services. Provides feedback with protocol amendments/changes, etc.
• Provides rodent trainings for Principal Investigators, DLAR staff (both clinical and husbandry teams), and maintains the rodent colony for training purposes.
• Interacts with Education and Training Coordinator and vet staff involving any changes to SOPs as it relates to any technical, surgical, and/or enrichment responsibilities.
• Provides backup support for anesthesia/surgical, rodent, and enrichment/behavior services.
• 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 DLAR stays in compliance with Institutional Policies related to all animal activities. This includes IACUC, OLAW, USDA, 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 hosted by the department.
• Perform on-call requirements as assigned which includes weeknights, weekends, and holiday rotations. Position is “Essential” as defined by Duke University Severe Weather Policy.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Skills

Clinical observations & evaluations of animal health status; assist in surgery; anesthetize and intubate dogs/cats; 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; basic NHP’s restraint techniques; large animal technical skills; rodent, guinea pig, 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.

DLAR Refining Skills

Large animal handling skills; rodent, guinea pig, rabbit, etc. handling; phlebotomy; placing catheters; prepare surgical packs; intensive care and emergency care; antibody production process; able to train PI staff in lab animal technical skills; interact more professionally and knowledgeably w/ high risk, high visibility groups.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

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 EDUCATIONAND/OR EXPERIENCE.

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.

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.