Veterinary Technician

Job Summary

We are looking for a Veterinary Technician I to join our Insourcing Solutions team located in Poolesville, MD. 

Why work at Charles River?  We adhere to strong values, share the same mission, that together, we create healthier lives. Our culture is one of endless opportunity, purpose and creating change. We are committed to empowering our employees with the tools and programs they need to develop rewarding careers. We offer competitive benefits and excellent training programs for all our employees.

What you will do!

In the Veterinary Technician I role, you will utilize your understanding of basic animal behavior training techniques, including positive reinforcement training and cognitive testing, to perform animal health surveillance checks, collect and record physiological data, and prepare and distribute individualized animal diets, enrichment, and clinical treatments. You will also be asked to handle and restrain animals for observation and procedures, assist in the collection of on-going behavioral testing and data collection, and with surgeries or specialized procedures safely and correctly. 

You will also perform the following duties: 

• Perform technical procedures including femoral blood collection, IV catheterization, aseptic tissue collection and processing, anesthesia, food or liquid consumption, drug administration (Topical, PO, IM, SQ, IV and ID), TB testing, weighing, physical examinations, radiographs, and other technical procedures as needed. 
• Daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning and sanitization of NIA prep areas and procedure rooms. Set-up procedure areas and prepare supplies and equipment for procedures. Calculate drug dosages and administration frequencies. 
• Collect, preserve, and prepare blood, urine, stool, and tissue samples. Participate in study related necropsies and tissue harvest. 
• Maintain freezer organization and sample inventory. 
• Maintain electronic medical records and update treatment plans, as well as laboratory equipment. 
• Perform weekly mid-day health checks and daily pm health checks of all animals in the NIA colony (including geriatric rhesus monkeys). 
• Participate in all required training (topics may include animal specific information and technical procedures, medical care, OSHA, regulatory, ASP support, and standard operating procedures).

Who are we looking for? 

A candidate with a high school diploma or GED is required; a BS degree in Animal Science, Biology, or similar discipline, or AA in Veterinary Technology is preferred; and a minimum 2-3 years of experience working with animals in a biomedical research environment, of which one year must be with non-human primates. Veterinary Hospital Technician experience will be considered. Eligibility to take the AALAS certification at the LAT level required. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education/experience listed above. 

The pay range for this position is $27.00 to $33.00 USD per hour.  Please note that salaries vary within the range based on factors including experience, skills, education, certifications, and location.