POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Internal Compliance and Training Specialist is a member of the Animal Resource Center (ARC) Veterinary Services team and serves on the management team. In collaboration with the Administrative Director, Animal Resource Center, the Specialist provides direct support to the ARC Director, attending veterinarians, husbandry managers, veterinary technicians, investigators and research staff, providing internal compliance oversight and training for investigative personnel and ARC Staff in animal health and welfare, facility standard operating procedures, and personnel occupational safety. This position is responsible for conducting internal audits to ensure compliance and assisting the administrative director to develop new training materials and implement special training initiatives. The specialist supports the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) compliance staff to ensure that ARC staff and investigative staff are properly trained and maintain compliance to all animal and animal research related regulations. This position is subject to compliance regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines, the State of Ohio Veterinary Practice Act, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration regulatory guidelines, US Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine regulations, ARC policies and standard operating procedures, and other applicable regulatory guidelines.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Coordinate and conduct training/orientation for all new research staff. Provide training and orientation for all new ARC staff. Coordinate and schedule species specific training for ARC and principal investigator staff. (20%)
2. Provide training directly to investigators and animal facility staff in appropriate aseptic surgical techniques, animal handling, restraint and various other techniques and on mandated record keeping. Maintain principal investigator training qualifications records for research personnel. (15%)
3. Maintain ARC training qualifications records for all ARC staff in an excel spreadsheet and in hard copy files. (8%)
4. Maintain internal compliance documentation involving protocol and animal welfare issues. Perform rounds in the animal facilities to monitor compliance health reporting in Cayuse/Esirius. (8%)
5. Address, in concert with the IACUC, issues of regulatory noncompliance. This includes protocol variances, Semi-Annual and AAALAC Inspection deficiencies and animal welfare issues. (8%)
6. Follow-up and respond to issues of noncompliance within the ARC as noted during the IACUC Semiannual inspections of the animal facilities. (6%)
7. Perform various internal audits to ensure compliance within the ARC. Update, develop and maintain internal ARC standard operating procedures and operating policy's. (6%)
8. Develop and implement training programs for ARC employees and investigative staff. Coordinate continuing education presentations for ARC employees. (6%)
9. Coordinate with the IACUC to determine course of action to address noncompliance of research personnel. (6%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Assume responsibility for IACUC mandated regulatory requirements assure compliance with Animal Welfare Act and Public Health Service Policy requirements and AAALAC. (5%)
2. Conduct site visits and observe research labs to assure compliance with individual approved protocols, Animal Welfare Act, and PHS Policy. (5%)
3. Provide service in Veterinary Support, Research Support and Technical Services and Quality Assurance when needed. (3%)
4. Serve as ex officio member of the IACUC. (2%)
5. Perform other duties as assigned. (2%)

CONTACTS

Department: Daily contact with animal care personnel, managers, attending veterinarians, and IACUC staff regarding compliance, training, animal welfare, experimental procedures, and various administrative matters to ensure proper veterinary care of the research animals.

University: Daily contact with IACUC staff and researchers regarding compliance, training, animal welfare, experimental procedures, and various administrative matters. Daily contact with researchers and other affiliated (e.g., IACUC members) outside of the School of Medicine. May have contact with the School of Medicine Office of Research Administration in order to maintain a collaborative and compliant Laboratory Animal Program.

External: Regular (weekly) contact with various animal vendors end less frequent contact with other service personnel such as contractors and service personnel to coordinate services and to escort them throughout the Animal Resource Center.

Students: Some contact with graduate students and medical students for the provision of surgical and technical training.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position has no direct supervisory responsibility. This position participates in the supervision of ARC employees and investigative staff in the areas of training and compliance.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 2 or more years of experience in a laboratory animal environment as a veterinary technician preferred.

Education/Licensing: Associate's degree in Animal Health from an accredited veterinary technician program or the equivalent in education and experience state registration as a veterinary technician. State registration as a veterinary technician or Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) level certification from the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) preferred and maintenance of AALAS RLATG certification registry required. Valid Ohio driver's license required.

REQUIRED SKILLS

1. Knowledge, understanding and ability to accurately apply commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within the field of veterinary services, specific to a veterinary technician role.
2. Knowledge of compliance regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines, the State of Ohio Veterinary Practice Act, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration regulatory guidelines, US Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine regulations and other applicable regulatory guidelines.
3. Must demonstrate compliance with Case Western Reserve University animal research and care (ARC) policies and procedures and compliance to regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines and other applicable regulatory guidelines.
4. Must demonstrate compassion for animals within Case Western Reserve University facilities and dedication to the Animal Resource Center's mission. Must handle animals with care and respect at all times.
5. Previous experience working with animals preferred.
6. Ability to handle, restrain, administer substances and anesthesia and provide monitoring and post-operative and other nursing care for a wide range of animal species including but not limited to rodents, rabbits, dogs, cats and livestock.
7. Ability to perform correct surgical prep and demonstrate knowledge of aseptic surgical techniques.
8. Ability to safely and appropriately operate x-ray machines and develop radiographs using an automatic processor.
9. Ability to maintain familiarity and demonstrate knowledge of and compliance to ARC policies and governing regulatory guidelines.
10. Professional and effective verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to articulately and accurately relay information to investigators, research staff, and other interested parties.
11. Strong interpersonal skills: ability to work and communicate with various individuals from a broad spectrum of disciplines, technical and educational backgrounds within the department, School and University, and with individuals outside the University.
12. Strong organization skills: ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines. Must demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy, time management skills, and follow-through.
13. Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively within a team. Must be highly motivated, responsible, dependable and a self-starter.
14. Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
15. Effective problem-solving skills; must demonstrate excellent analytical skills, sound judgment and good decision-making.
16. Must demonstrate flexibility and ability to work under pressure; must be able and willing to work in a fast-paced, changing environment, and conform to shifting priorities, demands and timeline.
17. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, relational database software and with internet navigation.
18. Must demonstrate willingness to learn new techniques, procedures, processes, and computer programs as needed.
19. Ability to effectively interact with colleagues, supervisors and customers face to face.
20. Ability to meet consistent attendance.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position will work directly and/or indirectly with animals, which may include rodents, rabbits, dogs, cats, pigs, sheep, goats, and nonhuman primates. This position may have direct contact with or have exposure to the following hazards: bloodborne pathogens, chemicals, infectious agents, select agents, radioactive materials, human blood and tissue, animal blood and tissue. Personal protective equipment, including lab coat, gloves and goggles, will be provided to limit exposure to hazards. This position requires baseline evaluation of hearing and vision. This position may require the ability to independently lift or assist with lifting animals ranging from small to large in size. The nature of this position may require the use of a respirator. This position may be required to drive or travel to satellite facilities to perform audits, procedural evaluations and laboratory inspections. This position is subject to an FBI check and fingerprinting.

Case Western Reserve University's animal facilities are accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) and is managed according to the "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals" appropriate Federal Animal Welfare Regulations, and the Public Health Service "Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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