Position Announcement: Veterinary Technician I/II

July 10, 2023 — United Therapeutics

At United Therapeutics, you'll realize quickly that it is not an ordinary place to work! When you join our company, you will learn, grow, contribute, have fun, and be challenged... all while making a difference in the lives of our patients. We have an opportunity for a Veterinary Technician I/II in an onsite role in Christiansburg, Virginia. Relocation assistance may be provided on a case-by-case basis*

What we do

We build on the strength of our research and development expertise and a distinctive, entrepreneurial culture that encourages diversity, innovation, creativity, sustainability, and, simply, fun. Since inception, our mission has been to find a cure for pulmonary arterial hypertension and other life-threatening diseases. Toward this goal we have successfully gained FDA approval for five medicines, we are always conducting new clinical trials, and we are working to create an unlimited supply of manufactured organs for transplantation.

We are the first publicly-traded biotech or pharmaceutical company to take the form of a public benefit corporation (PBC). Our public benefit purpose is to provide a brighter future for patients through (a) the development of novel pharmaceutical therapies; and (b) technologies that expand the availability of transplantable organs. At the same time, we seek to provide our shareholders with superior financial performance and our communities with earth-sensitive energy utilization.

Our company was founded by an entrepreneur whose daughter was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition. She sought to find treatment options and a cure for her daughter and patients like her. We are founder-led, and relentless in our pursuit of "medicines for life". We continue to research and develop treatments for cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, and other orphan diseases.

How you'll contribute

The Veterinary Technician I is responsible for the general care/husbandry of all pigs within the Barrier facility. Additionally, this role plays a critical part in the support of all veterinary procedures (survival and non-surgeries, sample collections and necropsies for the xenotransplantation program). Veterinary Technicians assist veterinarian staff in routine veterinary care of the USDA covered species and assist veterinarians in providing preventive medical care, medical nursing and euthanasia in addition to maintaining animal health records.

• Independently perform and document the day-to-day activities of the swine herd, including, herd health (general nursing care, vaccinations, medications, treatments, etc.), nutrition (feed management), and reproduction (AI, Boar semen collection, estrus synchronization)
• Assist veterinarian(s) and surgeons(s) with all elements of operative procedures, such as setup and tear-down, and post-operative animal care (i.e. examining animals, checking vitals, monitoring animals under anesthesia)
• Collect, store, ship, and inventory samples (blood, nasal, tissue, etc.) from animals for health and pathogen testing
• Provide assistance with post-op procedures including imaging, biopsies, bronchoscopy, tissue procurement and management of cardiopulmonary functions
• Maintain appropriate records for animal husbandry and care activity records
• Other duties as assigned

For this role you will need

Minimum requirements

• Associate degree in veterinary technology or animal sciences
• Working knowledge of animal husbandry including nutrition, reproduction, and safety
• Knowledge and experience with data collection and recording of large animals
• Working knowledge of the Animal Welfare and other regulations regarding animal research, USDA, FDA, and DEA
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Excellent communication, organizational, and multitasking skills
• Strong attention to operational planning and follow through
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft office suite of applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, etc)
• Ability to author and follow SOPs
• Works under moderate supervision on routine tasks; may seek advice of more senior employees
• Must not have any other interaction with other pigs outside of the company
• Physical requirements: Lifting: 75 lbs (to waist level), Carrying: 50 lbs, Pushing and Pulling: 200 lbs (with assistance)

For Veterinary Technician I level:

• 2+ years of experience in large animal care and handling
• 2+ years of experience following IACUC and research protocols and working with controlled substances
• 2+ years of experience performing medical tests, observing behaviors, collecting samples, and administering medication to large animals

For Veterinary Technician II level:

• 4+ years of experience in large animal care and handling
• 4+ years of experience following IACUC and research protocols and working with controlled substances
• 4+ years of experience performing medical tests, observing behaviors, collecting samples, and administering medication to large animals
• Responsible for providing guidance, coaching, and training to other Vet Techs

Preferred qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) in veterinary technology or animal sciences
• Licensed Veterinary Technician-NAVTA Licensed Vet Tech through the VA Board of Veterinary Medicine
• Working knowledge/understanding of GxP compliance

To apply

To apply, go to https://vhr-unither.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External/details/Veterinary-Technician-I-II_R03044