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Penn State Job Catalog

Veterinary Technologist – Advanced Professional (PSU1357)

Additional Levels

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

Job Summary

Veterinary Technologists work with animals confined to conventional, barrier, quarantine, or specialized biohazard housing. Animals may include livestock, equine, aquatics, rodents/rabbits/other wildlife; tasks may require handling of acute, chronic, and infectious diseases. Responsibilities involve research project participation; monitoring animals and recording health data; following medical treatment plans; assisting during surgical and necropsy procedures; managing controlled drug inventory, census records, and sentinel surveillance programs.

Representative Duties

  • Participate as research project member; assist with experimental design and treatment management plans; perform standard veterinary technical procedures; record observations, assessments, and treatments; ensure accountability for data and specimen collection
  • Work closely with clinical veterinarians and research staff to perform daily health assessments, assist with physical exams, perform experimental manipulations, administer treatment as instructed, and react to life-threatening emergencies
  • Coordinate surgical suite activities; act as circulating nurse during procedures; monitor anesthesia, record vitals; maintain surgery audit
  • Maintain controlled drug inventory; order, receive, dispense, and secure; perform drug calculations and dilutions; assist PIs with DEA forms
  • Manage selective and other breeding colonies, sentinel surveillance programs, and animal census records
  • Facilitate necropsy procedures and histological evaluations; assist with serologic and microbiologic examinations, tissue/organ harvesting
  • Follow IACUC, IRB, DEA, USDA and other research and regulatory protocols, policies, guidelines, and procedures
  • Participate in committee meetings; create/revise SOP's, policies, guidelines, training, and course material; conduct training
  • Execute environmental stewardship; evaluate, plan for, and oversee equipment and facility maintenance; recommend equipment purchases; participate in facility renovations and upgrade projects as directed
  • May supervise staff, including hiring and performance management

Level Matrix

Level:
Advanced Professional
Base Description:
– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.
Level Summary:
– Demonstrates proficient and comprehensive knowledge of defined skill areas/applications. Applies knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field to decision-making and problem–solving. Works under minimum supervision on varied and sometimes difficult work assignments, conferring with supervisor or subject matter experts on unusual matters. May lead others or a team in completion of complex assignments. Interprets and communicates information clearly, accurately, and persuasively. Researches and tries new approaches when solving difficult or novel problems.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
– Indirect supervisor or mentor for other full–time employees
– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers, volunteers, or a full–time employee
Fiscal Responsibilities:
– May validate and pay invoices
– May monitor/track budgets and funding
Problem Solving:
– Encounters generally routine problems with progressively more complex and/or varied problems
– Typically follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems
– May apply specialized knowledge and skills to resolve complex and/or varied problems, with supervisor oversight
– Researches and tries new approaches when solving problems
Independence of Action:
– Works with minimal supervision on more difficult work assignments, conferring with supervisor on unusual matters
– Follows precedents and procedures
– May set priorities and organize work within general guidelines established by supervisor
Communication and Collaboration:
– Communicates internally and externally within working unit and the University
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Promotes open communication in a manner that builds relationships among team members
– Applies appropriate strategies for managing conflict; negotiate reasonable compromises; propose and evaluate possible solutions
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution
Salary Structure
  • Comp Grade – 6
  • Minimum – $42,100.00
  • MidPoint – $51,600.00
  • Maximum – $61,000.00
FLSA Exemption Status
Non-Exempt
Minimum Education
Associate's Degree
Minimum Experience
4+ years of relevant experience
Equivalency
Or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Additional Job Requirements