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Director of Comparative Medicine / Attending Veterinarian

Director of Comparative Medicine/Attending Veterinarian-This is a high profile and critical role within our client’s organization. Our client is a nonprofit, biomedical research facility. The Director of Comparative Medicine/Attending Veterinarian is responsible for directing the strategic and daily operations of the Comparative Medicine Department, including personnel supervision for husbandry, research support, pharmacy, study scheduling and administrative personnel. The incumbent is also responsible for fiscal management and strategic planning to meet projected needs of the Institute with relation to research support staff as well as housing and care of animals for research. The incumbent is responsible for establishing and monitoring all animal care and use standards at the institute.

The veterinarian will make sure that animal care and use is in compliance with applicable regulations and guidelines, providing oversight of the program to assure medical care of all animals, including diagnosis and treatment of disease, preventive medicine, health monitoring and quarantine. The veterinarian has responsibility for all AALAC reviews and must assure Institutional compliance to maintain institutional accreditation. A significant part of the role includes participation in the activities of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and interactional with the Institutional Official. A significant part of the position includes professional, positive and collaborative interactions with all levels of employees; proactive strategic planning of research with principle investigators; business development teams; project management teams; office of research contracts and grants; finance and the Senior Director of Operations.

The veterinarian is responsible for providing oversight of the animal research program to include but not be limited to provision of personnel for technical support, compliance of animal use protocols, and animal use SOPs.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from an AVMA accredited program and board certification in laboratory animal medicine, by the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) is required. At least 10 years experience in a laboratory animal facility with five years of experience in a managerial role is required. Direct research experience such as a principle investigator or direct oversight of research support staff is required. Having an advanced degree (e.g., M.S., Ph.D.) is preferred but not required. The successful candidate is required to become a licensed veterinarian in the state of New Mexico.

Technical Skills/Knowledge/Abilities:
The above training experience and certification in addition to veterinary medical training is expected. The successful candidate must be fully knowledgeable as to animal care and animal use and have knowledge of and ability to ensure compliance with the USDA Animal Welfare Act, The Guide for the Care & Use of Laboratory Animals, NIH Public Health Service Policy, FDA GLP regulations, DEA regulations, AAALAC guidelines, and all state, county, and city rules and regulations. Must be fully knowledgeable of research methodologies. Computer literacy and supervisory/managerial skills are essential.

Resources Used in Performing Job Include (but are not limited to):
Standard office equipment to include but not be limited to computer, cell phone, printer, copier, fax. Utilizes a wide variety of equipment in the care and use of animals typically found in a research setting

Physical Requirements/Work Environment:
Successful completion of a post offer pre-employment physical examination is required. Successful completion of CDC approval to access Select Agent(s) and Toxin(s) and DOJ, DOD clearances required. Work may be required in the ABSL3 and may require vaccinations/immunizations as a condition of employment. Work with hazardous agents or animals, some dangerous such as nonhuman primates, where there is potential of a bite, scratch, or needle stick. Physical requirements include carrying, bending, lifting up to 35 pounds, climbing, pushing, pulling, reaching, standing, sitting, hearing, talking, seeing – to include color vision, acuity. May be subjected to loud noises produced by equipment and animals.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

All functions are performed in accordance with established policies, procedures, safety and environmental regulations, facility and computer security policies and procedures. Functions are subject to change from time to time to meet the needs of the Institute. Current essential functions include the following:

Provides personnel management for veterinarians, research support staff, husbandry staff, pharmacy staff and study scheduling staff.
Ensures regulatory compliance and participates in activities of the Animal Care and Use Committee. Prepares reports to USDA, OLAW, NIH, AAALAC and others, such as the DoD, DoE, NIH, Pharmaceutical firms as required by research contract or grant.
Overall responsibility for all the standard operating procedures (SOP’s) relating to the care of laboratory animals at the Institute. This includes ensuring that the Institute has all the necessary SOP’s and employee training is current.
Reviews, provides input and approves institutional SOP’s and policies as required this includes the use and care of laboratory animals along with research SOP’s.
Provides oversight to the Comparative Medicine Department, ensuring overall quality of care and that animal use is in compliance with requirements and all regulations. Responsible for compliance with DEA and NM Board of Pharmacy rules and regulations. Responsible for ensuring that all personnel utilizing controlled substances and dangerous drugs are fully trained and adhere to policy.
Works with IACUC subcommittee on post-approval monitoring to resolve any concerns or complaints of noncompliance involving the care and use of animals at the facility.
Professionally and proactively collaborates and interacts with all employees levels, vendors, clients and funding agencies. Advises principle investigators, business development teams; project management teams; office of research contracts and grants; finance and the senior director of operations scientists on animal issues with their studies, providing information for grants, proposals, and reports. Identifies sources for animals, making arrangements to receive animals and ship animals to others.
May be required to write and submit research proposals for grant funding.
Participates in audits inspections and business meetings to include but not be limited to meeting with and/or providing tours to auditors, sponsors and visitors who may be potential clients or candidates.
Works collaboratively with facilities department director on design/construction/renovation of any facilities intended to house or use animals in research.
Assures provision of medical care and treatment of animals or observation of animals being used on studies.
Develops and revises standard operating procedures for Comparative Medicine, ensuring compliance with all regulatory and industry standards.
Directs training for scientists, research technicians, husbandry staff, and others involved in animal care, treatment, and research use as appropriate.
Supervises Comparative Medicine section managers.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

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