Veterinary Technician II - The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine

Join the HJF Team! 

HJF is seeking a Veterinary Technician II to provide support in performance of numerous veterinary procedures in accordance with departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), as well as approved animal protocols. Procedures may include the administration of antibiotics/treatments; monitoring anesthesia; intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), Intraperitoneal (IP), and Subcutaneous (SQ) injections; fluid therapy; venepuncture; gavage; euthanasia; and necropsy.

This position will be in support of the Day Lab in the Department of Pharmacology and will serve as a Research Associate/Veterinary technician in the Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, and is responsible for conducting research in cooperation with Dr. Regina M. Day and other members of her laboratory on lung and bone marrow injury and molecular mechanisms radiation toxicity and radiation countermeasure mechanisms. The incumbent will participate in experimental design, personnel training, and overall function of the laboratory. The incumbent performs specialized bio-laboratory research using protocols that involve specialized procedures related to animal models of pulmonary and hematopoietic radiation injury and cell culture models of radiation toxicity

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing military medicine. We serve military, medical, academic and government clients by administering, managing and supporting preeminent scientific programs that benefit members of the armed forces and civilians alike. Since its founding in 1983, HJF has served as a vital link between the military medical community and its federal and private partners. HJF's support and administrative capabilities allow military medical researchers and clinicians to maintain their scientific focus and accomplish their research goals. 

Note: This work site requires that Non-US Citizen incumbents have lived in the US three out of the past five years. 

• Major responsibilities include related to handling of nonhuman primates in a study of radiation toxicity.
• The incumbent shall conduct animal irradiation with supportive care, blood draws, and treatments for the testing of radiation countermeasures and will be responsible for keeping a detailed logbook of all experiments as well as participating in animal research.
• The incumbent will participate in daily animal experiments, analyze animal tissues exposed to radiation, and determine the efficacy of radiation countermeasures.
• The incumbent will use such techniques as phlebotomy, anesthesia, administration of analgesics and antibiotics, and animal care.
• Additional experimental techniques may be performed, which might include immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, qRT-PCR, western blotting, and a number of other biochemical assays and will participated in the development of new methods and techniques to enhance the reliability of research results or to accommodate experimental conditions.
• The incumbent is generally involved in highly specialized assignments requiring the performance of complex animal experiments, especially with nonhuman primates and will operate and maintain complex instrumentation and equipment needed for the animal care.  
• Performs experiments with animal models, calculates various formulas and concentrations of drugs and chemicals used for treatment and care of the animals.
• Analyzes and prepares data for presentation at laboratory group meeting, scientific meetings, and for publications in appropriate journals.
• Participate in the teaching of graduate or medical students or other senior research staff the techniques used in the animal research in which the incumbent is involved, and advises members of the technical staff of this particular research.
• The incumbent maintains detailed and organized records of experimental procedures and observations for the various studies. Serve as a member of a research team and collaborate in execution of experimental procedures, conduct literature searches, assist in planning research protocols, and in preparing reports of investigations for IACUC reports and for publication.
• The incumbent will perform many of the duties of this position with minimal supervision

Education and Experience 

• Associate's Degree.
• Minimum of 3-5 years experience required.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Veterinary technician training is especially preferred.

• Three years of training or equivalent research skill, subject knowledge, and expertise and experience as reflected by publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals as appropriate to his/her research.

• Previous experience in animal handling. Additional training will be provided for advanced animal experimental techniques.

• Must have proficient math skills to calculate drug concentrations for administration to animals, perform dilutions, calculate averages, Standard Deviation (SD), and Standard Error of the Mean(SEM) from data, graph data, and calculate significance using a computer program.
• Must have basic laboratory experience including using a balance, a pH meter, and standard laboratory micro-pipettors.

• Experience with use of personal computers for manuscript preparation and data analysis is essential.

• The ability to obtain and maintain a T1 Public Trust Clearance.

Physical Capabilities

• Lifting: Requires lifting materials up to 25 lbs.

Work Environment 

• This position will take place primarily in a laboratory setting.

Licenses and Certifications

• Licensed Vet Tech preferred

Work Arrangement

• This position is 100% on site and has no teleworking capability.
• Monday through Friday with regular weekend rotation (usually 2-4 hours).

Compensation

• The hourly pay range for this position is $20.99-$30.77. Actual hourly pay will be determined based on experience, education, etc.

Benefits

• HJF offers a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on your health and well-being, from medical, dental, and vision coverage to health savings and retirement plans, and more.

Some HJF employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination or an approved religious or medical accommodation may be required.

Employment with HJF is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, which may include, but is not limited to, contacting your professional references, verification of previous employment, education and credentials, a criminal background check, and a department of motor vehicle (DMV) check if applicable. Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer. 

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.