Veterinary Specialist

Job description / Role

Purpose: Provides health care to laboratory animals maintained at WCMC-Q by evaluating cases and implementing treatment in consultation with the veterinary staff at WCMC-Q and/or in New York. Also provides a colony management breeding service to the WCMC-Q investigators. Works under the general supervision of the Vivarium Core Manager.

Duties:
- Animal Health Care and Compliance In compliance with departmental SOP’s, institutional, local, state and federal regulations and AAALAC accreditation standards, performs rounds and monitors animals to assess compliance and animal health and well-being. Under general supervision, evaluates and assesses common disease conditions and reports problems to veterinary or management staff, and investigators, as appropriate. As directed, administers clinical treatment, collects diagnostic and environmental samples, and administers euthanasia when necessary. Reports issues of non-compliance to the Office of Research Integrity at WCMC-Q and Education and Quality Assurance in NY staff in a timely and appropriate manner.
- Preventive Medicine Performs or assists with routine procedures including quarantine of frogs, physical exams, blood collection, and collecting samples for ectoparasite examinations, rectal cultures and other tests. Participates with the Vivarium Core Manager in the rodent sentinel health surveillance program.
- Investigator Communication Contacts investigators regarding health and welfare issues via email and/or telephone. Is able to assist investigators understand and adhere to WCMC-Q, state, local, federal and AAALAC required standards. Maintains current contact information for investigators.
- Surgery Support Maintains and operates the Vivarium Core Procedure Room. Prepares the room for procedures, including preparation and sterilization of surgical instruments and supplies. Verifies correct functioning and prepares anesthetic and monitoring equipment prior to procedures. Assists veterinarians and investigators in surgical procedures and in the pre- and post-operative care of laboratory animals. Monitors anesthetized animals during surgical procedures and is familiar with the use of various monitoring modalities and anesthesia equipment. Assists with scheduling investigator use of the procedure room.
- Veterinary Technical Support and Teaching and Training Under general supervision, assists investigators with experimental procedures including restraint, anesthesia, injections, immunization, blood collection, tissue and fluid harvesting, and euthanasia. Performs surgical procedures and specialized experimental manipulations at the request of and under the direction of investigators or veterinarians. Assists the Education and Quality Assurance staff from NY in training investigative and Vivarium Core staff in handling of animals and experimental procedures.
- Rodent Breeding Colony Management Under general supervision, assists investigators with managing their breeding colonies including setting up and retiring mating pairs, weaning, detailed recordkeeping and performing associated technical procedures, including collecting tissues for genotyping and phenotype observations. Ensures that cages are labeled correctly with information regarding strain or lineage, sex and sexual status of mice. Updates cage cards as necessary. Maintains calendars and detailed breeding records indicating the birth date, animal age, and fertility data of each animal. Responsible for computerized breeding records to maintain pedigree information on each animal. Disposes of animals incapable of successfully breeding according to established protocols.
- Administrative /Regulatory /Pharmacy Functions Maintains appropriate anesthetic, surgical and animal health records. Compiles reports for funding and regulatory agencies. Compiles costs and recharges investigators for services and supplies provided or dispensed by the core. Maintains and operates the Vivarium Core pharmacy and dispenses supplies, medication and controlled substances to investigators. Maintains records for controlled substances.
- Other Performs other job related duties as requested.

Requirements

- Minimum Education: Associates Degree in Veterinary Science, Veterinary Technology, or Animal Health Science or a Bachelor’s Degree in life or natural sciences.
- Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
- The individual must be capable of functioning independently with minimal supervision.
- Must be detail oriented and have superb organization and interpersonal skills.
- Minimal computer skills include proficiency with email, internet and word-processing.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS
- Preferred Education: Veterinarian degree
- Preferred Experience: Experience in laboratory animal science
- Preferred License: AALAS certification at the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) level

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Ability to lift and carry 25 pounds
- Ability to climb and work from ladders and platforms
- Lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying heavy equipment and supplies.
- Visual concentration; manual dexterity; eye-hand coordination;
- Standing for extended periods
- Employee may be exposed to dust, dirt, unpleasant odors, laboratory animals, animal excreta, and hot and humid surroundings.
- Potential exposure to animal bites and scratches, needles and other sharp instruments, infectious agents, and toxic chemicals.
- Protective equipment including scrub uniform, steel toed shoes, gowns, masks, respirators, gloves, and head covers are provided by WCMC-Q and required for specific activities
- Work schedule may include long working days, weekends and holidays.

About the Company

Founded in 1898 and affiliated with what is now New York - Presbyterian Hospital (NYPH) since 1927, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) is one of the top-ranked clinical and medical research centers in the U.S. It is committed to excellence in research, teaching and patient care, and the advancement of the art and science of medicine.

In addition to the degree in medicine, Weill Cornell offers PhD programs in biomedical research and education at the Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences; a joint MD-MBA program with Cornell's Johnson School of Management; and a joint MD-PhD program with Rockefeller University and Sloan-Kettering Institute.