Animal Care Technician - Comparative Medicine

Department: Comparative Medicine

Location: Penn State College of Medicine - Hershey Shift: Monday - Friday 2am - 10amDays OFF: Saturday and Sunday Observe animals in an intensive care setting and report changes to veterinary staff or supervisor; notify on-call veterinarian in emergency situation; as appropriate, take immediate action such as controlling bleeding or seizures, administering oxygen or medication, etc. Monitor animals with artificial organs and associated equipment; react properly to alarms and change in status; notify veterinarian or on-call engineer. Under veterinary staff direction, use proper aseptic techniques to administer medications orally, intramuscularly, and intravenously; draw up, dilute, or mix medications at the proper levels; monitor blood pressure and heart rate for abnormal conditions. Collect blood, urine, and fecal samples; conduct diagnostic tests as directed including blood gases, hematocrits, clot times, etc. Maintain records of animal data, vitals, medications, intake and output, etc.; follow orders written by veterinary staff and supervisor. Restrain, position, and prepare animals for medical/research procedures. Assist with veterinary treatments and activities as directed. Operate and perform routine user maintenance on equipment such as blood pressure monitors, fluid pumps, etc.; notify supervisor of malfunctions. Prepare room for animals returning from surgery; ensure availability of stanchion with clean mat, oxygen tank, and other equipment/supplies required for animal recovery. Maintain a stock of regularly used supplies; request additional supplies to replenish inventory, as necessary; make recommendations to supervisor when new equipment and supplies may be needed. Maintain work area and equipment in a clean and orderly condition; keep animals in clean state; promptly remove animal waste. Assist with training newly hired Animal Care Technicians. Perform the duties of Animal Caretaker C as needed.

Job Requirements: Requires the use of commercial English, grammar and arithmetic such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, including decimals and fractions; simple use of formulas, charts, tables, drawings, specifications, schedules, wiring diagrams, together with the use of adjustable measuring instruments, graduates and the like requiring interpretation in their various applications; or the posting, preparation, interpretation, use and checking of reports, forms, records and comparable data. Over 2 years up to and including 3 years of effective experience.