Veterinary Research/Health Technician 1

Animal Care and Research Support

The Oregon National Primate Center (ONPRC), part of OHSU, supports nonhuman primate and rodent research focused on advancing knowledge of disease prevention, treatment, and cures. This position provides animal care, husbandry, health care, and research support for laboratory animals, particularly nonhuman primates and rodents. Work may include regular, weekend, holiday, and overtime schedules and requires working in an ABSL3 environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support and coordinate high-volume animal research tasks and investigator requests.

• Follow complex research protocols and perform technical procedures as directed.

• Safely perform research and clinical support procedures under supervision, including medication dose calculations and administration through topical, IV, IM, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, and oral routes.

• Collect body fluids and perform health procedures such as weighing, parasitology collection, TB testing, and venipuncture.

• Capture, restrain, identify, sex, and transport laboratory animals for clinical, research, and housing needs.

• Observe animals, recognize changes in physical condition or behavior, and accurately document and report findings to veterinary or research staff.

• Feed animals and clean and sanitize enclosures, shelters, equipment, and facilities.

• Operate equipment including cage washers, floor scrubbers, autoclaves, pressure washers, scales, and veterinary instruments.

• Complete animal records, data processing forms, inventory records, and supply requests using computerized systems.

• Assist with facility maintenance and identify and report issues such as temperature problems, leaks, damaged surfaces, and plumbing concerns.

• Unload and store animal feed weighing approximately 25–50 lbs per bag.

• Assist with group-housed animal capture, processing, and other assigned duties.

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED.

• At least six months of paid or volunteer animal care experience.

• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive DCM/ONPRC vehicles on and off campus as required.

• Ability to read, write, follow oral and written instructions, and communicate effectively with technical and professional staff.

• Ability to work professionally and collaboratively with investigators, supervisors, and coworkers.

• Ability to safely perform or learn animal handling, husbandry, and standard clinical procedures.

• Basic computer keyboard skills and ability to accurately calculate medication dosages.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.

• At least 18 months of experimental animal health care experience in a research setting or experience as a veterinary technician/assistant.

• AALAS Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT), Certified Animal Health Technician (AHT), or equivalent training and experience.

Schedule:
Regular hours are 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m., with rotating weekends, holidays, and opportunities for voluntary or mandatory overtime.

Working Conditions:
The position involves potential exposure to zoonotic agents, animal tissues and body fluids, contaminated equipment, and hazardous or sanitizing chemicals. Work occurs across indoor and outdoor animal housing areas, including non-environmentally controlled spaces, wet or slippery surfaces, narrow corridors, and stairs.

Physical Requirements:
Employees must be able to move throughout animal housing areas, observe animals, perform husbandry and clinical procedures, and safely handle or restrain animals. The role requires pushing and pulling heavy wheeled equipment, such as cage racks and loaded carts, and lifting/carrying objects up to 50 lbs. Some objects weighing approximately 42 lbs may need to be lifted to shoulder height.

Benefits:
Full-time employees receive healthcare coverage, employer-provided term life insurance, pension plan options, paid vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, transit discounts, employee assistance programs, childcare discounts, tuition reimbursement, and employee discounts.

OHSU is Oregon’s only public academic health center and supports patient care, research, and education. OHSU is committed to an inclusive workplace and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.