UNIV-Agricultural/Animal Associate II-DLAR

Job Description Summary

To provide support within the Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR), including nursing care for all laboratory animals at the Medical University of South Carolina and teaching basic skills in aseptic technique, basic surgery, animal research techniques, and handling. These activities will ensure minimal required knowledge of investigators, technicians, and students conducting research with animals.

Position requires the ability to work with minimal supervision and carry out specific medical orders. Requires the ability to independently triage new conditions and manage treatments and clinical cases across several species and situations with general supervision by their supervisor. Requires the ability to work and communicate cooperatively within a team to provide consistent veterinary care and research support.

Entity

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC - Univ)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Classified

Cost Center

CC001152 DLAR Division Of Laboratory Animal Resources

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Grade

University-GEN09

Pay Range

53,142.00 - 71,706.00 - 90,372.000

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

Responsibility 1.1 Maintain Animal Care and Animal Welfare- Weight 25%

Objective: Ensure the health, well-being, and humane care of research animals by providing veterinary support, monitoring

animal health, performing clinical procedures, and maintaining compliance with animal welfare regulations, IACUC protocols,

and institutional standards.

Expectation 1: Deliver High-Quality Animal Care and Clinical Support

·    Provide timely and appropriate veterinary support services, including clinical treatments, anesthesia assistance, post-procedural monitoring, and follow-up care to support animal health and welfare.

·    Conduct animal observations and assessments to identify clinical concerns, abnormalities, or welfare issues and communicate findings promptly to the Clinical Veterinarian.

·    Perform technical procedures and clinical interventions in accordance with approved protocols, veterinary direction, and departmental standards.

·    Support humane endpoints, euthanasia procedures, and animal care activities in a manner that prioritizes animal well-being and minimizes pain and distress.

·    Exercise sound judgment and work independently to address animal health concerns while maintaining accurate communication with veterinary and research staff.

Expectation 2: Support Research Activities While Maintaining Compliance and Animal Welfare

·    Provide technical and veterinary support for approved research activities while ensuring the humane care and use of research animals.

·    Consistently follow IACUC-approved protocols, DLAR SOPs, institutional policies, biohazard and chemical safety requirements, and applicable regulatory standards.

·    Provide training to research and animal care personnel on animal handling, welfare practices, clinical observations, and aseptic technique.

·    Promote a culture of compliance, animal welfare, professionalism, and research integrity through effective communication, teamwork, and attention to detail.

Responsibility 1.2 Performing Veterinary Technician Duties/Clinical Observations- Weight 35%

Objective: Provide comprehensive veterinary nursing and clinical support services that promote animal health, welfare, and research integrity by performing daily clinical rounds, administering treatments, delivering emergency and post-procedural care, supporting surgical and anesthetic procedures, collecting clinical samples, maintaining accurate medical records, and ensuring all activities are conducted in accordance with veterinary direction, approved research protocols, animal welfare regulations, and institutional standards.

Expectation 1: Perform Clinical Rounds, Health Assessments, and Veterinary Care

·    Conduct daily clinical rounds to assess animal health, well-being, and post-procedural recovery.

·    Recognize, evaluate, and report signs of illness, pain, distress, injury, or abnormal behavior.

·    Perform follow-up evaluations and monitor animals receiving treatment or supportive care.

·    Provide emergency, critical care, and post-surgical care under the direction of clinical veterinarians.

·    Respond promptly to animal health concerns and communicate findings to appropriate veterinary personnel.

·    Provide backup support to Clinical Veterinary Technicians as needed.

Expectation 2: Administer Treatments and Clinical Procedures

·    Administer medications, therapies, supplemental fluids, and other treatments using species-appropriate techniques.

·    Calculate, verify and record drug dosages accurately prior to administration.

·    Collect biological samples using approved procedures and proper restraint techniques.

·    Monitor animals for treatment effectiveness and adverse reactions.

·    Follow established standards of care, veterinary directives, DLAR SOPs, and approved protocols when performing clinical procedures.

Expectation 3: Support Surgical and Anesthesia Activities

·    Assist with peri-operative and intra-operative animal care during research procedures.

·    Prepare animals, equipment, supplies, and medications required for surgical procedures.

·    Monitor anesthetized animals and document clinical observations throughout procedures.

·    Support post-anesthetic recovery and promptly report complications or abnormalities.

Expectation 4: Maintain Documentation, Compliance, and Communication Standards

·    Accurately document clinical observations, treatments, procedures, sample collections, and outcomes in medical records.

·    Follow all IACUC protocols, DLAR SOPs, institutional policies, and animal welfare regulations.

·    Communicate animal health concerns, treatment updates, and clinical findings to veterinarians, investigators, and authorized personnel.

·    Maintain confidentiality, professionalism, and accountability in all veterinary and research support activities.

Responsibility: 1.3 Research Support Duties- Weight 10%

Objective: Provide high-quality research support services by assisting investigators and research personnel with animal procedures, delivering technical expertise during research activities, and performing humane euthanasia for terminal procedures in accordance with approved protocols, animal welfare regulations, and institutional standards. Ensure research

activities are conducted safely, efficiently, and in compliance with IACUC requirements while promoting animal welfare, scientific integrity, and regulatory compliance.

Expectation 1: Provide Technical Support for Research Procedures

·    Prepare animals, equipment, supplies, and procedural areas for research activities.

·    Perform appropriate animal handling and restraint techniques to support research procedures safely and effectively.

·    Monitor animals during procedures and promptly communicate concerns or abnormalities to veterinary staff and investigators.

·    Ensure IACUC protocols, DLAR SOCs and DLAR SOPs, and investigator instructions are followed during all research support activities.

Expectation 2: Perform Humane Euthanasia for Terminal Procedures

·    Perform euthanasia using approved methods in accordance with AVMA Guidelines, IACUC protocols, and institutional requirements.

·    Verify animal identification and protocol requirements prior to performing euthanasia.

·    Ensure humane handling and welfare considerations are maintained throughout the euthanasia process.

·    Recognize and appropriately address complications or concerns related to euthanasia procedures.

·    Accurately document euthanasia activities and maintain required records.