School of Medicine:

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation’s top medical schools. Ranked tenth among its peers, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where traditional barriers are low, interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced, and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve humanhealth locally and around the globe.

Comprised of 2,400 faculty physicians and researchers, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing and Duke University Health System create Duke Health. Duke Health is a world-class health care network. Founded in 1998 to provide efficient, responsive care, the health system offers a full network of health services and encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Primary Care, Private Diagnostic Clinic, Duke Home 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 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, Comparative Medicine Specialists may be subject to vaccines, tests, physical examinations prior to working with specific animals or animal populations as required by research needs, 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 of 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 barrier technique and assures 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 progress of therapies. Documents critical facility data on a daily basis 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 composes emails in a professional manner.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 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 uses 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. on a regular basis and stand for long periods of time.Customer-focused attitude and enjoys working with similarly dedicated persons in a team fashion within a high-energy research environment.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Work requires a high school diploma or equivalent. ALAT certification must be obtained within 18 months of employment. Must have a valid driver license

Experience

Some experience in the care and handling of animals preferred.

Degrees, Licensures, Certifications

ALAT certification must be obtained within 18 months of employment.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob 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.