About the Job

Percent Time: 100%

Work Schedule/Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00-4:30. Some weekends, nights, and holidays will be required.

POSITION OVERVIEW

We are excited to offer this position as an addition to our fully staffed clinical veterinary team to better serve our investigators and the growth in their research. This position adds to the current clinical faculty of 6, creating a clinical team of 7 full time laboratory animal medicine veterinarians.  The seven faculty positions are also supported by 2 laboratory animal medicine residents for a total of 9 clinical veterinarians.

RAR veterinarians also have the opportunity to conduct independent and/or collaborative research, provide training and expertise to laboratory personnel, and teach veterinary students at the CVM.  The University of Minnesota is part of the Minnesota LAM Residency Consortium and veterinary faculty are expected to teach, mentor, and support residents within the program.  Additionally, the clinical veterinary team has responsibility and the latitude to identify areas for process improvement, develop plans to achieve identified improvements and to initiate the steps for implementation and completion.  Clinical duties require case by case management as many standard treatment options are not compatible with research goals/objectives.  This requires the development of unique treatment strategies that vary on a case to case basis depending on the specifics of the research and clinical problem.

In the research environment there is the potential for exposure to hazardous and infectious materials including, (but not limited to) chemotherapeutic agents, radioactive substances, allergens, excessive noise, and/or zoonotic pathogens. Ability to move / lift / restrain animals.

* Depending on qualifications, the successful candidate could be classified as Senior Lab Animal Medicine Veterinarian.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clinical Care (50%):
• Provide clinical care to research animals owned by the University or by outside organizations that have contracted to house animals at the University.
• As indicated by the medical condition of the individual animal(s): Examine, diagnose, prescribe medication, perform surgery, and providing methods for humane euthanasia if necessary
• Perform rounds of all animals in the assigned clinical areas on a regular basis.
• Provide services after-hours, holidays and weekends on a rotating basis, including the provision of emergency veterinary care and responding to housing facility issues, such as alarmed entries and ventilation/heating/plumbing emergencies in concert with police or facilities maintenance staff as applicable.
• Review and provide recommendations for new Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Standards of Care (SOC) and updates to current SOPs/SOC

Implementation of Regulatory Compliance Programs (15%):
• Participate in design/review of research protocols, either through direct participation on committees such as the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee or the Institutional Biosafety Committee or by request directly from principal investigators and/or their staff.
• Advise Investigators on appropriate medications, procedures, and model design.
• Ensure that animal transportation, housing, and use complies with all applicable federal and state laws, as well as University policy, RAR policy, and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
• Ensure that purchase, use, recording, and disposal of veterinary medical substances (including DEA controlled substances) are carried out in accordance with federal and state law.
• If federally accredited, responsible for the review, approval, and signing of interstate as well as international health certificates.

Teaching/Training (10%):
• Create and offer lectures, labs, and seminars for veterinary students, animal care staff, veterinary technicians, area supervisors, and research staff and/or faculty.
• Provide training for graduate veterinarians in the laboratory animal medicine training program, Minnesota Laboratory Animal Medicine Consortium, via seminars, journal clubs, and clinical rounds.
• Research, write and amend reference documents for direct use in teaching researchers, students, RAR employees, or other individuals associated with the University.
• Assist in training new veterinary technicians.
• Mentor, train, and support veterinary colleagues and students. Identify areas for process improvement within the department and develop steps for implementation.

Strategic Planning (10%):
• Identify areas for process improvement within the department and develop steps for implementation.
• Evaluate current methods and programs. Determine how to further enhance training and education programs.

Research (5%):
• Participate in independent or collaborative research projects related to clinical laboratory animal medicine or other fields of study.
• Write grant proposals for submission to various agencies for research project funding.
• Present research findings at local and national meetings.
• Work with veterinary residents in the training program to develop and execute research projects as part of their required training.

Professional Development (5%):
• Participate in department, college, and University events, meetings, projects, and initiatives.  Participate in national meetings, trainings, and/or committees related to the field of laboratory animals and laboratory animal medicine.

Additional Duties (5%):
• The RAR Director and Assistant Director may change or assign other duties to this position.

MEDICAL, PHYSICAL, & ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• A current Tetanus vaccine is required
• An annual Tuberculosis screening is required
• An annual Influenza vaccine is required 
• A protective measles titer is required or measles vaccination (if never vaccinated) or booster (if titer does not convey protection) is required
• A rabies vaccine or titer is offered unless the employee wishes to fill out a declination form
• Powered Air Purifying Respirator or N95 Masks may be required due to exposure of animal allergens when working in certain environments and conditions.
• An annual hearing test is required due to facilities with noise levels requiring screening
• Employees may work in wet rooms or around large industrial cage washers
• Employees may work in outside environments in all weather conditions

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, equivalent degree from an AVMA accredited veterinary school, or certification of veterinary training through programs such as ECFVG and PAVE plus at least two years of experience.
• License to practice veterinary medicine in Minnesota is required within 3 months of start date.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 1-year or more experience or training in the field of laboratory animal medicine
• ACLAM Certification, ACLAM eligibility, or qualifications leading to eligibility
• License to practice veterinary medicine in Minnesota at start date
• Working knowledge of federal laws and regulations governing the use of animals in research, AAALAC-accreditation, and important industry guidelines (e.g. Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, Ag Guide, Occ Health, etc.).
• Excellent communication and clinical management skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with individuals from a variety of backgrounds
• Advanced computer skills including experience with spreadsheets/word processing, presentation formats (presentation software and presenting virtually), and ability to learn new clinical and regulatory software systems.
 

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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