Animal Care Technician I, Research Vivarium

Job summary

Care for research animals by maintaining housing, bedding, enrichment, and facility conditions, and by monitoring and reporting animal health concerns. Carry out veterinary instructions, administer medications and basic technical procedures, maintain required records, and prepare and sterilize surgical supplies.

Job details

The Research Vivarium at St. Michael's is a state of the art, CCAC award winning facility, serving the in vivo based research and teaching needs of its scientists, physicians, and surgeons. The research conducted at the Research Vivarium emphasizes the medical specialties of St. Michael's Hospital, which include diseases of the heart and circulatory system, trauma, and metabolic diseases and disorders. Duties & Responsibilities Changes bedding materials according to established schedules, including in special conditions such as immunodeficient or diabetic animals Evaluates the health of every animal in the facility, reporting any unusual behavior or health concerns Carries out veterinary instructions given either by written or verbal instructions Creates chart entries in animal health records; completes surgical debit reports, and records narcotic and controlled drug usage in log book Ensures room and facility conditions are adequate for species and alerting supervisor of any concerns regarding conditions Provides assistance in restraining of animals for treatments and examinations Administers oral, parenteral and topical medications Provides simple technical services such as SC/IP/IV injection, oral gavage, blood sampling to researchers Washes, packages and sterilizes surgical supplies Ensures appropriate environmental enrichment for each species according to SOP Unpacks new arrivals from commercial vendors including setting up new cages/racks, enrichment, and cage cards Cleans and maintains assigned animal housing rooms and associated equipment Qualifications Registered Lab Animal Technician (RLAT) and/or Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) or Veterinary Assistant or equivalent experience Working knowledge of CCAC Guidelines and OMAFRA regulations Ability to understand and problem solve issues Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as a team member Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of the Hospital's mission and values Must have a good attendance record Unity Health Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We strive to provide a recruitment process that is barrier-free and in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We understand that you may require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process. When you are contacted, please inform the Talent Acquisition Specialist and we will work with you to meet your accommodation needs. We want to emphasize that all accommodation requests are handled with the utmost confidentiality, respecting your privacy and dignity.

What you’ll do

Care for research animals by maintaining housing, bedding, enrichment, and facility conditions, and by monitoring and reporting animal health concerns. Carry out veterinary instructions, administer medications and basic technical procedures, maintain required records, and prepare and sterilize surgical supplies.

Requirements

Applicants should have RLAT or RVT registration, be a veterinary assistant, or have equivalent experience, along with working knowledge of CCAC Guidelines and OMAFRA regulations. The role requires problem-solving, the ability to work independently and collaboratively, strong communication and interpersonal skills, commitment to the hospital's mission and values, and good attendance.

Listed skills

• Teamwork · Preferred
• Problem solving · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Animal Health Assessment
• Animal Handling and Restraint
• Medication Administration
• Subcutaneous, Intraperitoneal, and Intravenous Injections
• Oral Gavage
• Blood Sampling
• Animal Health Recordkeeping
• Surgical Supply Sterilization
• Animal Housing and Facility Maintenance
• Environmental Enrichment
• CCAC Guidelines
• OMAFRA Regulations
• Problem-Solving
• Written and Verbal Communication
• Teamwork

Job areas

• Science & Research
• Healthcare