VETERINARY RESEARCH SUPPORT ASSISTANT, Lab Animal Science Center

Tracking Code5110Job Description

The NEIDL RSA provides safe and humane husbandry, technical and research support for a variety of laboratory animals to promote the study and mitigation of infectious diseases. Receive unique bio containment training with opportunities for continuing education and growth. Will perform these duties at Bio Safety Levels 2, 3 & 4.

Responsibilities Include:

• Technical & research support: Assess problems regarding general health issues and work with veterinarian to implement and administer treatment. Assist with restraint, handling and manipulation of various animal species, participate in necropsy protocols. Receive, inspect and house incoming animals.
• Animal husbandry: duties include maintaining health of multiple research animal species. Perform daily check of overall animal condition, water bottle/automatic water line, and food provisions. Perform cage changing and/or cage cleaning as required and accurate recording of animal health concerns.
• Surgical Support: Surgical preparation, pre-, peri-, and post-operative veterinary nursing procedures. Perform, assist in surgical procedures and anesthesia. Operation and maintenance of veterinary surgical equipment including but not limited to: inhalation anesthesia machine, physiological monitoring equipment, radiological/digital imaging equipment, cautery, supportive heating devices, ultrasonic cleaner, ultrasound imaging, telemetry monitoring equipment.
• Strictly follow all procedures necessary to maintain animal housing areas including room or facility personnel entry; use of personnel protective equipment (PPE including PAPR & containment suit), decontamination of all equipment and material moving into controlled areas.

Required Skills

RSA – Minimum 3 years of lab animal related experience, BS, CVT, ALAT preferred

RST – Minimum 5 years of lab animal related experience with 1 year as Veterinary Technician or equivalent, BS, CVT, LAT preferred

RSS – Minimum 7 years of lab animal related experience with 1 year as Veterinary Technician or equivalent, BS, CVT, LATg preferred. BSL4 experience or experience as study coordinator required

The National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL) is part of a national network of secure facilities that study infectious diseases – whether they occur naturally or are introduced deliberately through bioterrorism. The NEIDL is dedicated to the development of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics to combat emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. In addition to Bio Safety Level (BSL)-2 and BSL-3 laboratories, the NEIDL houses BSL-4 laboratories that will operate at the highest level of containment. The NEIDL will add to the growing life sciences industry in the region, throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and across the country.

Individuals seeking affiliation with or employment within the NEIDL may be subject to the following suitability requirements. Failure to meet any of these requirements may result in ineligibility for employment or affiliation:

• Criminal Background Check: To be completed in accordance with BU Public Safety guidelines and all federal, state and local laws and regulations.
• Basic Background Check: Includes, but is not limited to, verification of:
  • Social Security Number;
  • Academic credentials;
  • Past employment;
  • Licenses and credentials;
  • Sexual Offender Registry Information (SORI) check;
  • Credit history check;
  • RMV/DMV driving record, if required.
• Medical Clearance Process: includes Research Occupational Health Program (ROHP) evaluation, drug screening, initial psychological screening, and immunization/titer level review completed in accordance with NEIDL Medical Surveillance Policy for all employees working at the NEIDL.
• Training and Education: to be completed in accordance with Section 8, Ongoing Personnel Reliability Program, for all employees working at the NEIDL.

Individuals seeking or required to have approval to work with Select Agents will be subject to the following additional requirements:

• Department of Justice Criminal Background Check and Fingerprinting: To be completed in accordance with CDC requirements as part of application to have access to Select Agents.
• Select Agent Use Approval: to be completed in accordance with all regulations including the requirements of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Please note, any individual working in the NEIDL facility and granted unescorted access, is subject to

• periodic background reviews, including but not limited to: criminal background, credit history, drug screening, and behavioral evaluations;
• periodic checks and regular renewals of security credentials, any applicable licenses, and verification of the successful completion of any required training at the facility
• Search of person, clothing and effects prior to entry into or egress from NEIDL

Please note all newly hired staff and faculty, will need to be in compliance with Boston University’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Requirement within 30 days of date of hire. You must upload your vaccine documentation or request a medical or religious exemption (instructions). For further information on the University’s response to COVID-19, please visit the Back2BU site.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Job LocationBOSTON, Massachusetts, United StatesPosition TypeFull-Time/Regular