Vet Tech III with Security Clearance

Veterinary Technician III

The Alaka'ina Foundation Family of Companies is looking for a Veterinary Technician III to support a government customer located in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. This position involves a variety of responsibilities related to animal care and research.

Job Description

• Assist veterinarians and research personnel with examinations and procedures, including the safe handling and restraint of animals for observation and minor procedures.
• Clean and sanitize animal rooms, facilities, and animal care equipment.
• Administer clinical treatments (topical, oral, subcutaneous, intravenous, and intradermal) to critical and chronic animals.
• Maintain accurate documentation and animal medical records.
• Recognize changes in animal clinical condition indicative of complications or emergencies and alert veterinarians or research personnel.
• Accurately calculate drug dosages.
• Dispose of animal carcasses following established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Perform anesthesia recovery and post-operative care for animals.
• Conduct animal health observations and report any abnormal conditions or behaviors to the Veterinarian, Facility Manager, Vivarium Manager, or Surgery Manager.
• Perform basic preoperative preparation of animals, including clipping and scrubbing of surgical sites.
• Monitor basic animal vital signs, including temperature, pulse, and respiration rate before surgery, during surgery, and during recovery.
• Operate advanced anesthesia equipment and associated monitoring devices with supervision, including the collection of physiological data.
• Perform basic laboratory procedures such as fecal analysis, urinalysis, and PCV.
• Perform supportive administrative duties including animal medical record review and training record filing.
• Perform euthanasia and necropsy of laboratory animals as required.
• Operate advanced diagnostic equipment including Computed Tomography, C-arm radiography, ultrasound, and endoscopy.
• Work under indirect supervision on all invasive medical and/or surgical procedures during day or night shifts.
• Maintain inventory of veterinary drugs and supplies.
• Provide onboarding for new Veterinary Support Branch Laboratory Animal Veterinary Technicians.
• Perform all levels of patient care in any Operating Room, ICU, Preparation Room, and Animal Bio-Safety Level Rooms within the Vivarium.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the theory behind all research procedures performed.
• Plan, organize, and accomplish assignments with limited assistance; self-directed and able to work independently on complex or sensitive projects as well as part of a research team.
• Assist and/or perform sterile and non-sterile surgical procedures on large and small animals, including placement of carotid and femoral catheters, implant telemetry devices, and perform microsurgery on rodents.
• Provide instrumentation, surgical procedures, intensive care, and observation during recovery and survival stages.
• Administer experimental treatments, collect samples, and observe data collection associated with research.
• Perform necropsy, tissue collection, processing, preservation, and carcass disposal.
• Clean, sterilize, and maintain all instruments and equipment in the surgery area; prepare catheters and other devices for use in sterile procedures.
• Conduct daily calibration of instrumentation, monitoring equipment, and data collection systems.
• Recognize changes in animal clinical condition indicative of complications or emergencies and alert veterinarians or research investigators.
• Schedule and coordinate all surgical/ICU/after-hours/ABSL2 calendar events, procedures, and protocols for contracted staff.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree is preferred.
• Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) certification or Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) certification. LAT will be mandated before December 1, 2025 to maintain the position on the contract.
• At least two to four (2-4) years' laboratory experience is desired.
• Experience with anesthesia is preferred.
• Experience providing animal veterinary technical support in a DoD environment is preferred.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries.
• Eligible employees enjoy a 401K plan with company match; medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage; tuition reimbursement; paid time off; and 11 paid holidays.

The Alaka'ina Foundation Family of Companies is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer of individuals with disabilities and veterans. We do not illegally discriminate in employment decisions based on any protected categories.