Manager of Animal Care, Lead Veterinary Technician

About Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM), an Adtalem Global Education institution, prepares students to become veterinary leaders by drawing connections among animals, people and the planet, as a member of the One Health Initiative. RUSVM offers research programs focused on emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases, conservation medicine and ecosystem health. RUSVM has graduated more than 6,000 students and offers postgraduate master’s, PhD, and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) programs accredited by the St. Christopher & Nevis Accreditation Board and the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. RUSVM is located on St. Kitts and includes the Ross University Veterinary Clinic, accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association.

Visit veterinary.rossu.edu for more information, and follow on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Adtalem believes in a culture of collaboration, creativity, and innovation, which thrives when we can work flexibly. Depending on your location, this role may be hybrid or remote.

Overview

This position is responsible for the oversight of the management and husbandry of all RUSVM animals on campus: This includes but is not limited to, horses, cows, donkeys, sheep, dogs, birds, turtles, fish, exotics etc.  Position reports to the Director of Clinical Sciences Support staff with support from the Attending Veterinarian.  The position also works closely with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).

Responsibilities

• Overall supervision and oversite of all teaching animals on campus and colleagues that work within the Animal Resources team.
• Oversee the maintenance of the RUSVM animal facilities/housing with input from the IACUC to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Supervision of Student helpers (ACT & Student +) in the care and feeding of university-owned animals and ensure all are properly trained on IACUC-approved SOP's.
• Responsible for adherence to feeding and feed procurement protocols and ensuring they are updated as required.
• Create and maintain calendar for animal resource needs in academic laboratories.
• Maintain Standard Operation Procedures for animal husbandry and ensure all animals meet criteria required for laboratory assignment  
• Ensure all animal records are maintained properly through electronic platform (ProVet)
• Procuring necessary requirements for herd health maintenance (feed, medication, nutrition, wormers, vaccines, etc.) from approved sources
• Work closely with the IACUC to ensure animal welfare and compliance to SOP's, policies, protocols, etc.
• Vendor quality assurance and management (Grass, Farrier, waste removal, welder, etc)
• Manages and coordinates all animal use required for research and labs while ensuring compliance with IACUC approved rest periods.
• Oversee that records are maintained:  including RUSVM animal medical records in ProVet Cloud, Research and Teaching IACUC protocols as they relate to the RUSVM animals, rest periods, teaching and club requests for animal use, SOP's relating to RUSVM animals, adverse event records that occur with any RUSVM animals.
• Work closely with Clinicians in charge of RUSVM animals, course coordinators, and club advisers that use RUSVM animals to schedule labs.
• Responsible for safe and humane animal procurement and transportation of animals to and from RUSVM campus.
• Ensuring that Animal Users (PI) periodically renew their protocols.
• Ensure that emergency contacts and SOP's are readily available to persons that may need access .
• Responsible for ensuring that the clinician in charge is contacted regarding animal welfare including any case of a RUSVM animal illness, or any animal in pain or distress; and for ensuring that the animal is cared for appropriately and in a timely fashion.
• Responsible for the Adoption programs of retired dogs and donkeys and the sales program for retired sheep & cattle.
• Will work closely with the Attending Veterinarian to be sure he/she is informed and up to date on the RUSVM animals in routine matters and in the case of any concerns, illness, or euthanasia.
• Completes other duties as assigned.
• This position is a designated Campus Security Authority.

• Veterinary Technician Degree or Post Graduate Degree in related field required.
• CVT/RVN/AAALAS preferred
• Veterinary Technician/ALAT/LAT>LATG preferred
• Must have several years of primary experience in the care of large groups of animals over a range of domestic species.
• Experience in supporting and helping maintain budget requirements with strong solution based approach to determining course of action on past and present practices.
• Several years hand-on experience organizing and maintaining animals’ health, husbandry, use & tracking
• Several years of organizational lead and or supervisory skills managing a large and diverse vivarium (350+ animals) is required.
• Knowledge and experience regarding nutritional and husbandry needs of donkeys, dogs, sheep, horses, cows, and exotics (incl rodents) depending on Small / exotic supervisor or Large Animal supervisor knowledge is required.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to influence and manage issues within the team and external personnel to maximize productivity.

Equal Opportunity – Minority / Female / Disability / V / Gender Identity / Sexual Orientation