Veterinary Technician (CS-PRP and BPRP Containment)

OverviewGoldbelt Apex, a part of the Healthcare Technology Transformation Group, is a data-focused company dedicated to process and quality in every aspect. As experts in healthcare IT experts, Apex is committed to building systems for healthcare organizations to seamlessly communicate and exchange data across different systems and devices.Summary:The Veterinary Technician providing veterinary technical support in Quarantine, Barrier,ABSL-2, ABSL-3 and ABSL-4 animal care and use areas. The Veterinary Technician shallindependently select and apply appropriate procedures for the supported tasks. TheVeterinary Technician shall assist in providing non-routine care, supporting changes inprocedure, addressing problems, etc.Work requires continuous standing and walking on concrete or hard surfaced floors,climbing, working in a bent position and carrying materials up to 50 pounds. Greaterstrength, effort and agility are required in the handling, capturing, restraining, andproviding veterinary technical services to the stronger, more active animals. Work, asperformed, exposes veterinary technical support staff to unpleasant odors and noisesand may require contact with unpredictable, ill-natured, stronger animals which posegreater risks of injury, bites, scratches, etc. There is a hazard of burns from autoclavesand ultra-violet lights, skin irritations from cleaning and decontaminating solutions. Theveterinary technical support staff must wear protective clothing or equipment such asBSL-4 positive pressure suits, positive air pressure respirators, or other personalprotective equipment, for prolonged periods. The veterinary technical support staff maywork prolonged periods in auditory and physical isolation in a completely isolatedcontainment suite which possesses risks to infection by highly infectious agents. Some ofthese agents can cause fatal diseases in humans if personnel become infected.* Containment involves adhering to specific procedures and requirements designed tomanage and protect sensitive information and materials in this role.ResponsibilitiesEssential Job Functions:* Shall provide veterinary technical support to the animals at all biocontainmentlevels during experimental and non-experimental periods IAW SOPs and/orprotocol. This includes, but is not limited to, conducting daily observations,surgical site preparation; administration of medications or other substances byinjection, orally, or topically; placing intravenous catheters; intubating,anesthetizing animals using injectable or gas anesthetics, anesthetic monitoringand euthanasia; prep surgery site; providing assistance in radiographic andsurgical procedures; collection, storage and proper submission of blood and otherbiosamples; creating entries in medical records (to include Good LaboratoryPractices (GLP)-compliant entries); conduct of health checks and physical exams;handling and restraining animals; transferring animals between cages/restraintdevices/jump boxes; providing environmental enrichment; reporting/documentingabnormal conditions or treatment failures; pairing NHPs; and ensuring food/waterare available IAW SOPs or protocol.* Assist in reviewing SOPs for all functions andactivities performed by Contract Employees. Contract Employee shall assistpreparation for oversight visits by any oversight body. Contract Employee shallassist the development of responses to remarks made during such visits orinspections as they pertain to Contractor Tasks.* Assist the Contract PM with reviewing pending animal studies provided by theTPOC, advise the Contract PM regarding the veterinary technicalpersonnel/facility/capability/equipment/supply resources necessary, advise theContract PM regarding the resources on hand, advise the acquisition of resourcesnot on hand, and ensure resources are in position where and when required.* Ensure all animals are properly identified and associated with specific experimentsIAW SOPs.* Shall transport animals within the facility or to/from other facilities IAW SOPs.* Shall ensure proper room designations and entry procedures and update roomentry order IAW SOPs.* Shall maintain veterinary medical procedure areas IAW SOPs.* Shall operate veterinary medical equipment and document operations at allbiocontainment levels IAW SOPs. Equipment includes, but is not limited to,imaging equipment; anesthesia administration and monitoring equipment; andclinical pathology diagnostic equipment (hematology, serum chemistry, andcoagulation profiles, etc.).* Shall conduct and document time/temp and bacteriological monitoring ofautoclaves IAW SOPs. Contract Employee shall ensure resolution of any deviationsand notify Contract PM immediately of unresolved deviations.* Perform routine operator/user-level maintenance and repair of all veterinarymedical equipment used by Contract Employees IAW SOPs and notify the ContractPM when more extensive repairs are necessary.* Shall monitor certification/maintenance dates on veterinary medical equipmentand notify the Contract PM in a timely fashion of certifications that are comingdue.* Shall process, transport, and document the disposal of waste, including general,animal carcasses, medical, pathological, chemical, and radioactive wastes from theanimal care and use areas IAW SOPs. Contract Employee shall renderbiohazardous waste safe by autoclaving or other appropriate means beforeremoval from the animal care and use areas.* Shall conduct and document all Core Safety duties IAW SOPs. This includespreparing decontaminating solutions, and related materials by weighing andmeasuring constituents, mixing, sterilizing, and dispensing to designated areas;cleaning and waxing floors, washing windows, emptying waste containers;decontaminating supplies, equipment, salvage, and other materials beforeremoval from infectious areas, or use of decontaminating solutions; collecting,sterilizing, sorting, counting, and exchanging laboratory clothing, shoes, andtowels; receiving, storing, and distributing bulk laboratory supplies (PPE,chemicals, feed, bedding, etc.) or large equipment (i.e., caging); and operatingsterilizers (autoclaves).* Maintain an inventory of supplies and equipment on hand and notify the ContractPM of supply and equipment needs and provide quotes as needed.* Shall receive, inspect, and store each shipment of supplies and equipment IAWSOPs. Shipments shall not be accepted in damaged condition, or it is an incorrecttype, quantity, and quality, or if expired/short dated. Uncrate and assembleequipment on receipt to ensure it is the correct item.* Shall complete and document all trainings as required to perform tasks IAW SOPsand policies. Contract Employee shall enter documentation of training, experience,and professional certifications into systems of record designated by the COR.* Shall travel to local (75-mile radius) research facilities to observe and learn ordevelop novel approaches to facilitate animal care at USAMRIID, if required by theneeds of the Government with TPOC and COR approval.* Attend continuing education annually at no additional cost to the Government withprior coordination through the Contract PM.* Provide training to USAMRIID personnel as requested by TPOC. Some areas ofinstruction may include, but are not limited to, observation of animals, safe workpractices, and procedures and animal husbandry topics of interest in the researchenvironment.* Shall inform Contract PM of all absences as far in advance as possible.* Shall promptly report illness or injury, new prescription medications, changes incurrent medications, any changes in health status or foreign travel to CertifyingOfficial (CO) and the CMA. If absent for three (3) or more workdays due to amedical condition get evaluated and cleared by the CMA upon returning to duty.* Enroll in and meet the Controlled Substance Personnel Reliability Program (CS-PRP) requirements.* Shall enroll in and meet the Biological Personnel Reliability Program (BPRP) andSelect Agent requirements IAW Army Regulation 190-17. Contract Employee shallinitiate all administrative requirement for enrollment into BPRP within one (1)month of start date. Contract Employee shall complete all BPRP requirements forunsupervised access to ABSL-3 and ABSL-4 within twelve (12) months of startdate unless extended by the TPOC and COR after review of each request.QualificationsNecessary Skills and Knowledge:* Apply practical knowledge and technical expertise to resolve problemsindependently and in cooperation with other personnel.* Shall work in Microsoft Word, SharePoint, MS Teams, Excel, Outlook and othersoftware systems as required.Minimum Qualifications:* LAT certification or higher, as defined by AALAS, is required prior to or withintwelve (12) months of hire.* At least three (3) years' veterinary technical experience in support of NHPs in aresearch setting is required.* Experience in ABSL-3 and/or ABSL-4 settings is highly desirable.* Must be able to lift to 50 lbs.* US Citizenship Required* Variable work hours, to include 24/7 coverage, evenings/nights, weekends,Government holidays, and during unforeseen closures or circumstances shallapply, as requested to meet mission requirements.* Must be able to successfully obtain and maintain a favorably adjudicated Secretsecurity clearance eligibility, with no access to classified. *NACLC/ANACI isacceptable if completed within 5 years prior to enrollment.* Ability to successfully pass a drug test.Preferred Qualifications:* GLP experience is desirable.* Experience with rodents, swine, rabbits, and ferrets in a research setting is highly desirable.Pay and BenefitsThe pay for this position is $35 per hour.At Goldbelt, we value and reward our team's dedication and hard work. We provide a competitive base salary commensurate with your qualifications and experience. As an employee, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with company matching, tax-deferred savings options, supplementary benefits, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.