Lead Veterinary Technician (CS-PRP and BPRP Containment)

Overview

Goldbelt Apex, a part of the Healthcare Technology Transformation Group, is a data-focused company dedicated to process and quality in every aspect. As experts in healthcare IT experts, Apex is committed to building systems for healthcare organizations to seamlessly communicate and exchange data across different systems and devices.

Summary:

The Lead Veterinary Technician providing veterinary technical support in Quarantine,
Barrier, ABSL-2, ABSL-3 and ABSL-4 animal care and use areas. The Veterinary
Technician shall independently select and apply appropriate procedures for the supported
tasks. The Lead Veterinary Technician shall assist in providing non-routine care,
supporting changes in procedure, addressing problems, etc.

Work requires continuous standing and walking on concrete or hard surfaced floors,
climbing, working in a bent position and carrying materials up to 50 pounds. Greater
strength, effort and agility are required in the handling, capturing, restraining, and
providing veterinary technical services to the stronger, more active animals. Work, as
performed, exposes veterinary technical support staff to unpleasant odors and noises
and may require contact with unpredictable, ill-natured, stronger animals which pose
greater risks of injury, bites, scratches, etc. There is a hazard of burns from autoclaves
and ultra-violet lights, skin irritations from cleaning and decontaminating solutions. The
veterinary technical support staff must wear protective clothing or equipment such as
BSL-4 positive pressure suits, positive air pressure respirators, or other personal
protective equipment, for prolonged periods. The veterinary technical support staff may
work prolonged periods in auditory and physical isolation in a completely isolated
containment suite which possesses risks to infection by highly infectious agents. Some of
these agents can cause fatal diseases in humans if personnel become infected.

*Containment involves adhering to specific procedures and requirements designed to
manage and protect sensitive information and materials in this role.

Responsibilities

Essential Job Functions:

• Shall provide veterinary technical support to the animals at all biocontainment
  levels during experimental and non-experimental periods IAW SOPs and/or
  protocol. This includes, but is not limited to, conducting daily observations,
  surgical site preparation; administration of medications or other substances by
  injection, orally, or topically; placing intravenous catheters; intubating,
  anesthetizing animals using injectable or gas anesthetics, anesthetic monitoring
  and euthanasia; prep surgery site; providing assistance in radiographic and
  surgical procedures; collection, storage and proper submission of blood and other
  biosamples; creating entries in medical records (to include Good Laboratory
  Practices (GLP)-compliant entries); conduct of health checks and physical exams;
  handling and restraining animals; transferring animals between cages/restraint
  devices/jump boxes; providing environmental enrichment; reporting/documenting
  abnormal conditions or treatment failures; pairing NHPs; and ensuring food/water
  are available IAW SOPs or protocol.
• Assist in reviewing SOPs for all functions and
  activities performed by Contract Employees. Contract Employee shall assist
  preparation for oversight visits by any oversight body. Contract Employee shall
  assist the development of responses to remarks made during such visits or
  inspections as they pertain to Contractor Tasks.
• Assist the Contract PM with reviewing pending animal studies provided by the
  TPOC, advise the Contract PM regarding the veterinary technical
  personnel/facility/capability/equipment/supply resources necessary, advise the
  Contract PM regarding the resources on hand, advise the acquisition of resources
  not on hand, and ensure resources are in position where and when required.
• Ensure all animals are properly identified and associated with specific experiments
  IAW SOPs.
• Shall transport animals within the facility or to/from other facilities IAW SOPs.
• Shall ensure proper room designations and entry procedures and update room
  entry order IAW SOPs.
• Shall maintain veterinary medical procedure areas IAW SOPs.
• Shall operate veterinary medical equipment and document operations at all
  biocontainment levels IAW SOPs. Equipment includes, but is not limited to,
  imaging equipment; anesthesia administration and monitoring equipment; and
  clinical pathology diagnostic equipment (hematology, serum chemistry, and
  coagulation profiles, etc.).
• Shall conduct and document time/temp and bacteriological monitoring of
  autoclaves IAW SOPs. Contract Employee shall ensure resolution of any deviations
  and notify Contract PM immediately of unresolved deviations.
• Perform routine operator/user-level maintenance and repair of all veterinary
  medical equipment used by Contract Employees IAW SOPs and notify the Contract
  PM when more extensive repairs are necessary.
• Shall monitor certification/maintenance dates on veterinary medical equipment
  and notify the Contract PM in a timely fashion of certifications that are coming
  due.
• Shall process, transport, and document the disposal of waste, including general,
  animal carcasses, medical, pathological, chemical, and radioactive wastes from the
  animal care and use areas IAW SOPs. Contract Employee shall render
  biohazardous waste safe by autoclaving or other appropriate means before
  removal from the animal care and use areas.
• Shall conduct and document all Core Safety duties IAW SOPs. This includes
  preparing decontaminating solutions, and related materials by weighing and
  measuring constituents, mixing, sterilizing, and dispensing to designated areas;
  cleaning and waxing floors, washing windows, emptying waste containers;
  decontaminating supplies, equipment, salvage, and other materials before
  removal from infectious areas, or use of decontaminating solutions; collecting,
  sterilizing, sorting, counting, and exchanging laboratory clothing, shoes, and
  towels; receiving, storing, and distributing bulk laboratory supplies (PPE,
  chemicals, feed, bedding, etc.) or large equipment (i.e., caging); and operating
  sterilizers (autoclaves).
• Maintain an inventory of supplies and equipment on hand and notify the Contract
  PM of supply and equipment needs and provide quotes as needed.
• Shall receive, inspect, and store each shipment of supplies and equipment IAW
  SOPs. Shipments shall not be accepted in damaged condition, or it is an incorrect
  type, quantity, and quality, or if expired/short dated. Uncrate and assemble
  equipment on receipt to ensure it is the correct item.
• Shall complete and document all trainings as required to perform tasks IAW SOPs
  and policies. Contract Employee shall enter documentation of training, experience,
  and professional certifications into systems of record designated by the COR.
• Shall travel to local (75-mile radius) research facilities to observe and learn or
  develop novel approaches to facilitate animal care at USAMRIID, if required by the
  needs of the Government with TPOC and COR approval.
• Attend continuing education annually at no additional cost to the Government with
  prior coordination through the Contract PM.
• Provide training to USAMRIID personnel as requested by TPOC. Some areas of
  instruction may include, but are not limited to, observation of animals, safe work
  practices, and procedures and animal husbandry topics of interest in the research
  environment.
• Shall inform Contract PM of all absences as far in advance as possible.
• Shall promptly report illness or injury, new prescription medications, changes in
  current medications, any changes in health status or foreign travel to Certifying
  Official (CO) and the CMA. If absent for three (3) or more workdays due to a
  medical condition get evaluated and cleared by the CMA upon returning to duty.
• Enroll in and meet the Controlled Substance Personnel Reliability Program (CS-
  PRP) requirements.
• Shall enroll in and meet the Biological Personnel Reliability Program (BPRP) and
  Select Agent requirements IAW Army Regulation 190-17. Contract Employee shall
  initiate all administrative requirement for enrollment into BPRP within one (1)
  month of start date. Contract Employee shall complete all BPRP requirements for
  unsupervised access to ABSL-3 and ABSL-4 within twelve (12) months of start
  date unless extended by the TPOC and COR after review of each individual
  request.

Qualifications

Necessary Skills and Knowledge:

• Apply practical knowledge and technical expertise to resolve problems
  independently and in cooperation with other personnel.
• Motivate team members to perform at their best.
• Serve as a point of contact alongside PM for all team members.
• Establish clear guidelines and communication to all team members effectively.
• Shall work in Microsoft Word, SharePoint, MS Teams, Excel, Outlook and other
  software systems as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• LAT certification or higher, as defined by AALAS, is required prior to or within
  twelve (12) months of hire.
• At least three (3) years' veterinary technical experience in support of NHPs in a
  research setting is required.
• Experience in ABSL-3 and/or ABSL-4 settings is highly desirable.
• Must be able to lift to 50 lbs.
• US Citizenship Required
• Variable work hours, to include 24/7 coverage, evenings/nights, weekends,
  Government holidays, and during unforeseen closures or circumstances shall
  apply, as requested to meet mission requirements.
• Must be able to successfully obtain and maintain a favorably adjudicated
  Secret security clearance eligibility, with no access to classified.
  *NACLC/ANACI is acceptable if completed within 5 years prior to enrollment.
• Ability to successfully pass a drug test.

Preferred Qualifications:

• GLP experience is desirable.
• Experience with rodents, swine, rabbits, and ferrets in a research setting is highly desirable.

Pay and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $80,000 to $83,000 annually.

At Goldbelt, we value and reward our team's dedication and hard work. We provide a competitive base salary commensurate with your qualifications and experience. As an employee, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with company matching, tax-deferred savings options, supplementary benefits, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.