Veterinary Technician

Instructional Support Technician / Veterinary Technician - SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University

SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University is seeking a full-time Veterinary Technician for its Division of Comparative Medicine within the College of Medicine. The position provides veterinary clinical and technical support for laboratory animals used in research, ensuring animal health, welfare, and compliance with institutional policies and applicable regulations. The role supports species including non-human primates, swine, sheep, and rabbits and works closely with veterinarians, researchers, and animal care staff.

Job Responsibilities

The Veterinary Technician conducts daily vivarium rounds to monitor animal health, welfare, and behavior, identify signs of illness or distress, document observations, and coordinate veterinary attention when needed. Responsibilities include administering prescribed treatments, collecting biological samples, assisting with diagnostic testing and physical examinations, supporting quarantine and routine health surveillance, and maintaining animal census records. The technician also implements approved enrichment programs, monitors animal behavior, and documents authorized exemptions from enrichment or social housing.

Surgical and anesthesia responsibilities include preparing operating rooms, surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies; sterilizing surgical packs; and supporting preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care. The technician assists with anesthesia administration and monitoring, including continuous infusions for large animal species, under veterinary direction. Duties also include providing postoperative treatments, monitoring recovery, documenting outcomes, and collaborating with researchers to improve surgical care procedures. Controlled substances may be handled or administered only when authorized and in accordance with established procedures.

The role requires maintaining accurate clinical, surgical, behavioral, enrichment, training, and animal census records, including documentation for USDA-covered species. The technician enters animal health information into electronic systems, including SharePoint and departmental databases, records veterinary supply charges, supports accurate billing information, and reports animal welfare concerns or potential compliance issues to the appropriate personnel. Additional duties include coordinating with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), supporting post-approval monitoring, maintaining official records, conducting facility quality checks, and reviewing standard operating procedures.

The Veterinary Technician also trains researchers, students, technicians, and other personnel in humane animal handling, procedural techniques, and laboratory equipment use. Responsibilities include collaborating with veterinary and research teams, maintaining equipment, managing veterinary supply inventory, supporting investigators, and providing occasional evening, weekend, or on-call coverage. Other related duties may be assigned.

Required Qualifications

Applicants must have an 18-month or two-year degree from a veterinary technology program registered by the New York State Education Department or accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA). New York State Veterinary Technician licensure or eligibility for licensure with a limited permit is required.

Candidates must have at least three years of experience performing veterinary technical duties, including at least two years of hands-on experience in an animal research facility working with multiple species and taking a lead role in surgery. Applicants must be able to follow standard operating procedures, work independently and collaboratively, communicate effectively with veterinary and research personnel, and use Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. The position requires the ability to lift or assist with handling heavy animals, including sheep, swine, and non-human primates, and flexibility to work occasional evenings, weekends, and on-call rotations. An equivalent combination of education, experience, and training may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred candidates hold Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) or Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) certification through the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS), or Surgical Research Technician (SRT) or Surgical Research Anesthetist (SRA) certification through the Academy of Surgical Research (ASR). Experience in veterinary clinical care, anesthesia monitoring, and surgical support involving USDA-covered species, particularly non-human primates, swine, and sheep, is advantageous. Knowledge of IACUC requirements, animal welfare regulations, and laboratory animal research protocols is also preferred.