Department Overview

The Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC) is located 12 miles west of the OHSU main campus, and sits on 162 acres of land featuring forested areas, research and administration buildings, indoor and outdoor animal housing, a pond, and 2-mile perimeter walking path. Our mission is to improve human health and the quality of life through the support of nonhuman primate research programs that advance our knowledge of the causes, preventions, treatments, and cures of debilitating diseases.

Function/Duties of Position

**New hires are eligible for up to a $1,500 hiring bonus**

The Veterinary Research/Health Technician 1 is the first level of a three-level series. At this level, this position will provide research support, routine health care, and animal husbandry for animals maintained at the ONPRC. This position will perform the manual and technical husbandry tasks directly related to the care of, and research support for the use of, laboratory animals.

The successful candidate for this position will have basic knowledge for the care of animals, demonstrated by experience with household pets, farm, or 4-H animals. Ideally, the individual in this position will have experience utilizing proper techniques to safely perform standard clinical procedures, including accurately calculating medication dosages. Additionally, this role requires a professional, service-oriented attitude, with the ability to read, write, and follow oral and written instructions, as well as having the ability to communicate effectively in oral and/or written formats with both technical and professional staff.

There is risk of exposure to zoonotic agents through injury, by direct contact with animals or their tissues and body fluids, or by contact with equipment contaminated by animals or their tissues and body fluids. Some work duties may also include risk of exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals and sanitizing chemicals.

Candidates should have the ability to carry and lift up to 50lbs; lift objects weighing approximately 42lbs to shoulder height, and be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation.

If you are a problem solver, have the ability to multi-task, be self-directed, and pay attention to details, this is a great position to start your career path in OHSU!

Required Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED, AND Six months experience providing paid or voluntary care for animals.
• A valid Driver's License and ability to drive ARRS/ONRPC vehicles on and off-campus as required

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field preferred
• 18 months experience in the health care of experimental animals in a research setting and/or as a veterinary technician or assistant highly preferred
• Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician level (ALAT), or equivalent combination of training and experience desired

Additional Details

Please be sure to upload a cover letter, resume and references.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Daily work may involve moving on wet and/or slick surfaces, through narrow corridors between rows of cages, and climbing stairs to corral observation towers; perform work in covered areas that are not environmentally controlled; work in areas where there is risk of exposure to zoonotic agents through injury, by direct contact with animals or their tissues and body fluids, or by contact with equipment contaminated by animals or their tissues and body fluids; work where there is risk of exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals and sanitizing chemicals; work in areas or in conditions that require fit testing and use of an N-95 respirator.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & EQUIPMENT USAGE:

• Able to lift and carry objects weighing up to 23 kg (50 lbs), and lift objects weighing approximately 19 kg (42 lbs) to approximately shoulder height
• Able to push and pull heavy wheeled equipment such as cage racks and loaded carts
• Able to move unassisted through various animal housing areas located in several separate buildings, indoor and outdoor, in order to make animal observations, perform animal husbandry tasks, handle, move, or restrain animals, collect samples, administer treatments, and perform other procedures
• Possess sufficient dexterity and manual skills to safely perform (or learn to perform) basic animal husbandry and animal handling (using proper techniques), and health care procedures, including but not limited to feeding and sanitization procedures, animal capture and restraint, administration of medications, and collection of body fluids and tissues

All are welcome