Comparative Medicine Specialist

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

Provides husbandry to laboratory animals, maintains animal inventory records and animal husbandry and room maintenance records, and performs facility sanitation in animal facilities.

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

The following duties are performed daily under management supervision:

• Performs general husbandry daily involving the handling of conventional and genetically engineered animal models with varying health status
• Performs duties within various animal biosafety levels and strictly follows biocontainment procedures.
• Changes cages following the barrier technique and ensures animals are not contaminated when outside of their primary enclosure. Maintains animal rooms (secondary enclosures) and facility hallways to prevent cross-contamination.
• Performs microbiological monitoring following approved procedures.
• Operates tunnel washers, rack washers, autoclaves, and other animal facility equipment used to sanitize and sterilize husbandry equipment.
• Evaluates animal health each day and reports abnormal clinical signs to the veterinary staff. Performs treatments as prescribed by the veterinary staff and reports the progress of therapies.
• Documents critical facility data daily as required by regulatory agencies with oversight of animals used in research, teaching, and education.
• Monitors and documents cages that are overcrowded. Performs weanings when needed, ensuring that each animal’s sex is accurately determined and that females and males are properly separated, and notifies laboratory staff as needed.
• Receives and processes incoming animals and supplies as assigned by management.
• Participates in animal quarantine and health surveillance programs for the facility. Adheres to containment practices in the event of an infectious pathogen outbreak.
• Uses current technology to perform laboratory animal husbandry duties, including but not limited to recording daily cage census, animal health observations, and weaned cages.
• Communicates professionally and respectfully, both verbally and in writing. Reads emails at least daily and professionally composes emails.
• Reports facility and environmental issues that fall outside animal welfare regulatory requirements (as defined in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals) to the Operations Manager or his/her designee.
• Implements environmental enrichment program intended to minimize animal stress in the research setting.
• Performs routine euthanasia of laboratory animals according to the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) Panel on Euthanasia.
• Assists with guidance and training of new animal technicians.
• Attends technician meetings and training sessions on all aspects of laboratory animal care and use of animals in biomedical research as scheduled by the supervisory staff.
• Complies with DLAR and Duke Policies and standard operating procedures.
• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

High school diploma or equivalent. ALAT certification must be obtained within 18 months of employment.

Experience

Some experience in the care and handling of animals is preferred. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Degrees, Licensures, Certifications

ALAT certification must be obtained within 18 months of employment.

Job Code: 00003503 COMPARATIVE MEDICINE SPECIALIST
Job Level: 64

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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.