Veterinary Technician I/II/III

Purpose Statement:

The Veterinary Technician (I/II/III) coordinates daily activities with team or focused area within function in the Vivarium and monitors the work progress in the clinical care and preventative medical procedures for the research animals under their responsibility.  Works autonomously on weekends and holidays, as well as act as the weekend lead to more junior Veterinary Technicians.  Takes lead on specific projects or initiatives for the Comparative Medicine department.  Provides exemplary animal care and adheres to all department and AbbVie regulatory expectations. Works in compliance of all applicable local, federal, GLP, FDA, and USDA regulations.   Provides veterinary care and oversight in support of the AbbVie drug discovery and development process.

Major Responsibilties:

• Demonstrates specific knowledge in veterinary/laboratory animal medicine and versatile expertise across multiple species/areas. Conducts veterinary care and research activities with good proficiency and no oversight or supervision.
• Maintains the health and well-being of all the research animal species used in our vivarium, as well as providing acute care, treatment of health issues, and assistance in surgical procedures and support in research technical procedures.
• Proficiency in anesthesia and surgical prep skills in all commonly housed species. Provides anesthesia support for surgery and translational imaging procedures including, PET, CT, MRI and ultrasonography.
• Maintains appropriate documentation, handling, and archiving of data, as required by research, veterinary procedures and/or regulatory guidelines. Proactively identifies potential technical or other discrepancies and reports as or before they occur.
• Adapts work process and methods based on findings and literature review with limited supervision.  Understands scientific and veterinary principles to modify procedures in response to changing conditions and applies processes to maintain or improve efficiencies with little to no oversight.
• Leads efforts to provide advanced level technical training in multiple areas.
• Monitors compliance with corporate safety, quality control, and quality assurance standards are met. Works and trains within the animal care and use program as proscribed by management.
• Reviews and gives input to SOPs, training, modules, and compliance documents.
• Daily upkeep of area in function with high attention to detail.  Plans and monitors resources needed to operate the laboratory/research support areas; maintains inventory control and equipment; coordinates space and/or facilities. Recognizes and reports operations issues in facilities.
• Functions as a team leader on projects, specific areas or activities. Plans and documents resources needed to conduct experiments or procedures.  Assists in designing quality control measures.
• Contributes to multiple, concurrent assignments or a multi-faceted project.
• Coordinates minor activities with team or focused area within function.
• Applies basic computer skills to maintain regulatory compliance and training to include but not limited to, email, calendar, and computer-based training modules.
• Contributes to preparation and/or makes presentations or posters within department and/or at professional conferences.
• Assures duties are completed accurately not to impact pipeline activities and/or integrity of regulatory expectations.

Education/Certification/Experience:

• Associates Degree in Science or Veterinary Technology; CVT required.
• 3-4 years Laboratory Animal Medicine (LAM) or relevant clinical experience required.
• AALAS certification at the Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) level or above (LATG preferred).
• Demonstrated experience providing veterinary support of GLP Toxicology studies and non-human primates preferred.

Abillties:

• Ability to work in compliance with all local, federal, GLP, FDA, USDA regulations.
• Attention to detail to provide good animal welfare.
• Problem-solving ability consisting of taking initiative to handle basic issues autonomously and working with team members for the more complex issues to support animal care operations.
• Good communication skills with both internal staff and those external of the department.
• Ability to have tough conversations with internal personnel while maintaining efficiency in the workplace and an effective team environment.
• Ability to consistently perform functions consistent with AbbVie leadership behaviors and attributes.
• Ability to safely lift 50 pounds, consistently stand and walk for extended periods of time, to include walking and adhering to safety rules and expectations including but not limited to: grasping, squeezing, pushing, pulling, squatting, stooping, and bending.
• Willing and able to work a rotating schedule which includes some level of mandatory weekend coverage and holiday coverage.
• Excellent attendance is expected.

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer including disability/vets. It is AbbVie’s policy to employ qualified persons of the greatest ability without discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, status as a disabled veteran, recently separated veteran, Armed Forces service medal veteran or active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran or a person’s relationship or association with a protected veteran, including spouses and other family members, or any other protected group status. We will take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified minorities, women, individuals with a disability, disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, Armed Forces service medal veterans or active-duty wartime or campaign badge veterans. The Affirmative Action Plan is available for viewing in the Human Resources office during regular business hours.