Details
Posted: 18-Sep-22
Location: Seattle, Washington
Type: Full Time
Salary: Open
As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.
The Washington National Primate Center (WaNPRC) has an outstanding opportunity for an Assistant Director - Veterinary Program Operations based in ARIZONA to join their team.
The primary purpose of this position is to fulfill the mission of WaNPRC which is to empower the delivery of leading-edge scientific discoveries and promoting the highest standards of care, health, well-being and conservation for primates around the world. In conjunction with our Mission Statement, these values link this position to our purpose as a Center:
Commitment to Foundational Research
Teamwork
Accountability
Productivity
Clear and Respectful Communication
Under the general direction of the Associate Director, and with delegated authority, the Assistant Director provides facility and leadership oversight of Arizona Breeding Colony (ABC) location to include but not be limited to: Personnel Management/Facility Oversight, Breeding Colony Management, Regulatory Compliance and Veterinary Services, in conjunction of critical veterinary care of nonhuman primates (NHPs) used for research and breeding at WaNPRC. This position will have primary duties to include but not limited to performance of specialized work related to the health, care, and management of nonhuman primates at ABC. This position requires: management acumen, clinical and surgical veterinary skills, the ability to maintain clinical records and databases, computer literacy, strong organizational skills, direct interaction with diverse groups within WaNPRC, and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
This position must:
Ensure the optimal veterinary health care of nonhuman Primates (NHPs) at ABC and ensure the support of breeding programs within the WaNPRC facilities;
Ensure the University of Washington is in compliance with federal regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), National Institute of Health (NIH), and with accreditation standards of AAALAC International;
Support the health of WaNPRC breeding colonies.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Personnel Management/Facility Oversight (60%)
Provide general supervision for veterinary, husbandry, behavior management, and facilities staff.
Provide supervision of veterinary clinical staff members as needed.
Provide training to veterinary technicians, husbandry staff, students, residents, and visiting scientists.
Work with on-site and remote management to establish priorities for program improvements.
Breeding Colony Management (15%)
Manage group housed breeding groups.
Perform regular behavioral assessments for group dynamics and communicate with behavioral management services to optimize social housing environment.
Evaluate genetics of breeding groups.
Understand production cycles and proper breeding and weaning for colony health.
Regulatory Compliance (15%)
Maintain compliance with all USDA, PHS, AAALAC, UW, and WaNPRC policies and procedures.
Provide direct monitoring of clinical cases and present verbal and written reports to the University of Washington Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Attending Veterinarian.
Assist in management of controlled substance inventory.
Participate in continuing education opportunities, including small animal continuing education courses and literature pertaining to nonhuman primates; nonhuman primate related conferences and meetings, specialty practice conferences and inter-department research related lectures and literature.
Provide orientation, training, and refresher training for on-site personnel.
Write and review Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Participate in WaNPRC and UW committees and Primate Center Consortium working groups.
Veterinary Services (10%)
Perform preventative medicine including but not limited to: quarantine procedures, dental procedures, review of health records and physiological blood data values of research and colony animals, review of and modification of clinical treatment and research protocols.
Develop and implement plans for preventative medicine including review of present preventative plans and modification of preventative plans or protocols based on clinical successful/non-successful clinical outcomes.
Participate in animal health maintenance including but not limited to: surveillance of colony animal health in conjunction with other veterinary clinical staff and colony staff, infectious disease testing, routine physical exams and bio-sample analysis for research and colony animals, dental health examination.
Present weekly summary of open clinical cases and follow-up results of closed clinical cases during weekly clinical rounds meetings.
Provide care to sick or injured animals including provision of follow-up care and release from clinical treatment.
Maintain clinical records in a custom electronic database, the Animal Research Management System (ARMS).
Keep continuous surveillance for clinical signs of disease and injury.
Perform radiology, ultrasound, and surgical procedures.
Provide care for pregnant and neonatal NHPs.
Determine and direct use of anesthetic and analgesic agents.
Perform sedation and anesthesia with controlled drugs.
Provide guidance to surgical support staff on instrumentation, sanitation practices, and surgical suite maintenance.
Provide patient peri-operative anesthesia and monitoring as needed.
Provide and oversee post-operative intensive care, including the use of sedatives, analgesics, and antibiotics.
Provide weekend/holiday on call coverage.
Perform the duties required of Essential Personnel members in the event of an emergency.
Ensure that all procedures performed have the appropriate regulatory and internal approvals prior to being performed.
Communicate regularly with veterinary, husbandry, pathology, and behavioral management staff.
Stay current on all required training.
Perform other duties as assigned.
The values of diversity, equity and inclusion are integral to the success of our research enterprise and are embedded in the culture of who we are as an institution and employer. We create progressive change honoring the unique and diverse perspectives in the Office of Research and the UW research community. We strengthen our commitment to the core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion by fostering an environment of authenticity in support of our mission to provide an equitable and accessible community to all. Read more here: https://www.washington.edu/research/or/office-of-research-diversity-equity-and-inclusion/
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from a College of Veterinary Medicine that is accredited by the American Veterinary Association or has a certificate issued by the American Veterinary Association’s Education Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG in progress will be considered), and a license to practice veterinary medicine in at least one state OR combination of DVM and PhD OR PhD; AND 4-5 years of applicable work experience.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
The ability to obtain a license to practice in the state of Arizona and National USDA accreditation.
A minimum of three years of clinical and surgical experience with laboratory animals including nonhuman primates, or completed lab animal residency.
It is necessary to have clinical proficiency with primates, a high level of technical skills specific to primates, understanding of animal welfare regulations, and an understanding and proficiency in biosafety principles.
Supervisory and Leadership experience.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Proficiency in use of computers including use of word processing, spreadsheets, database software, and internet usage.
Demonstrated capacity to work well independently and in collaboration with a diverse staff.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Board certification in Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM).
Teaching experience both in a classroom setting and with individuals.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of health assessment at the UW's Employee Health Clinic. The health assessment may include but is not limited to tuberculosis clearance, measles clearance, serum banking, immunizations, such as tetanus and vaccinia, physical exam and/or review of work health history, x-rays, and/or assessment to wear positive or negative respiratory protective equipment. These health assessments will be repeated periodically during work assignment.
Punctuality, regular and predictable attendance is an essential job function of this position.
May be required to work with and take specific precautions, against and/or be immunized against potentially infectious agents. Specific precautions may include wearing respirators and/or protective clothing.
Employee is personally responsible for following health & safety and security policies/procedures and staying current on all required training. Bloodborne pathogen training and compliance with all WaNPRC and UW security policies is also mandatory.
This position involves handling non-human primates and human pathogenic organisms. The ability to work in an ABSL 2 containment facility is required.
In addition, the employee is required to maintain all necessary licensing credentials as determined by State and Federal Law.
Adhere to the WaNPRC Environmental Enhancement Plan requirements for NHPs.
Participate in the Behavioral Management and Positive Reinforcement Primate Training Programs.
Develop a working knowledge of classical and operant conditioning principles and how they apply to handling primates in a research environment, with positive reinforcement as the expectation.
Develop a working knowledge of non-human primate behavior.
Application Process: The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed. | 
