Job Description:   To provide advanced veterinary care for many species of research animals through disease prevention, clinical care and health monitoring, and quality assurance measures.

 

Essential Job Functions:

Directs, along with other ARC (Animal Resources Center) veterinary staff, activities of the veterinary technical team in the ARC Provides surgical support to investigators for research projects involving large and small animal species and consults on animal care and use protocols involving surgery. Monitors protocols and procedures for animals from pre-operative through post-operative care. Implements preventative medicine programs. Participates in clinical rounds to monitor health of UTMB animals. Provides clinical care of research animals, as well as clinical oversight/support to animals in housing environments from barrier to ABSL2/ABSL3/ABSL4.  The Senior Biocontainment Veterinarian provides care primarily in a biocontainment setting. Consults with researchers on protocol development and animal model selection.  Acts as a liaison between ARC and investigators. Monitors compliance of animal care and use with federal and state regulations.  Consults with the ARC and researchers on regulatory issues. Resource to the Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) and researchers on analgesia, anesthesia and pain, and distress issues. Consults and provides oversight to the Animal Resources Center Husbandry Program. Participates in and actively supports team management in the ARC. Trains departmental personnel and research investigators.  Serves on the IACUC Analyzes and evaluates available data and makes appropriate recommendations to ARC Executive Director. Works with other ARC leadership to monitor space utilization, staffing needs, and contributes in facility renovation activities.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Expert knowledge of laboratory research animal care and use regulations, laws, policies and procedures, and research protocol procedures in order to serve as a consultant to the UTMB ACUC. Working knowledge (in addition to veterinary sciences) of interdisciplinary scientific fields common to the UTMB research community. For the Sr. Biocontainment Veterinarian, this includes biological safety principles and practices associated with UTMB biocontainment facilities in order to consult/collaborate with, or advise, UTMB scientists. Ability to communicate scientific and technical information orally in order to collaborate with scientists and managers from UTMB and other collaborating scientific institutions. Ability to communicate scientific and technical information orally and with training aides as necessary in order to train Animal Resources Center personnel in veterinary and animal care activities. For the Sr. Biocontainment Veterinarian, this includes training conducted under biocontainment conditions. Ability to communicate scientific and technical information in writing in order to write and edit technical reports, manuscripts and operating procedures.

Minimum Qualifications:

If filled as a Clinical Veterinarian, minimum qualifications include:  

Veterinary Medical Degree (DVM or VMD). 2 years’ experience in field of laboratory animal medicine or commensurate experience. Licensed in at least one state in the U.S. Ability to obtain Texas Veterinary Licensure within one year of hire. Ability to obtain and maintain Department of Justice (DOJ) clearance. Interest in working in a biocontainment level facility.

If filled as a Senior Clinical Veterinarian, minimum qualifications include:  

Veterinary Medical Degree or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (VMD or DVM) and 5 years of experience in laboratory animal medicine; with basic to advanced surgical skills among various large animal species, including but not limited to non-human primates, dogs, sheep, pigs, rabbits, and/or ferrets as well as small animal species.  Obtain Texas Veterinary Licensure within one year of hire.

If filled as a Senior Biocontainment Veterinarian, minimum qualifications include:

Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary Medical Degree (DVM or VMD) and Six (6) years of Veterinary experience working with laboratory animals, including two years of experience in a biocontainment facility.

 

Position will be filled as a Clinical Veterinarian, Senior Clinical Veterinarian or Senior Biocontainment Veterinarian based on the qualifications of the selected candidate. Training will be provided for BSL competency.

Equal Employment Opportunity;

UTMB Health strives to provide equal opportunity employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. As a VEVRAA Federal Contractor, UTMB Health takes affirmative action to hire and advance women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Compensation