Veterinary Technician Manager

Research Animal Resources - University of Minnesota

Veterinary Technician Manager

Research Animal Resources (RAR) is hiring for the position of Veterinary Technician Manager. This position will be responsible for supervising and directing the activities of approximately half of the department's 12-14 research veterinary technicians in collaboration with a second Veterinary Technician Manager counterpart. In addition to identical responsibilities for management and mentoring of veterinary technicians, this position will have primary oversight responsibility for special services that the Veterinary Services Unit offers. These responsibilities include the oversight of clinical supply inventory and order management, rodent health surveillance programs, USDA species procurement and preventative medicine program, the controlled substance program, and pharmacy operations. The position will also provide back up support for the RAR technical service program and diagnostic lab. The Veterinary Technician Managers will also facilitate training and cross-training of RAR technical staff in collaboration with the RAR Training Team as appropriate to ensure high quality and consistent veterinary care and service for the University research community.

The work duties for this position are complex and varied and will require the interpretation of technical and detailed guidelines, policies, and procedures. Analytical ability is needed to gather and interpret data and information to aid in making decisions regarding refining methods, processes, and techniques used to maintain high quality animal care and customer service. Innovation and critical thinking are an essential underlying part of the job duties described within this posting.

This position will report to a Senior Clinical Veterinarian

Duties/Responsibilities:

50% - Direct supervision of the veterinary technician staff
* Supervise and direct the work of up to 8 veterinary technicians
* Plan training/cross-training of staff in collaboration with the RAR Training Team
* Ensure staff implement proper and consistent clinical care for all species & areas within RAR
* Create and maintain work schedules (including weekend/holidays) and work with team to cover work during call-outs
* Provides performance feedback, both immediate and at annual performance reviews.
* Mentor employees to further career goals and support continued educational and certification opportunities
* Resolve HR issues for labor represented employees
* Determine appropriate staffing levels and communicates needs with manager and counterpart
* Coordinate personnel resources in collaboration with counterpart to cover needs of the department
* Hiring manager for veterinary technician positions as needed
* Co-lead the veterinary technician team in high level customer service
* Interact and work with RAR clinical veterinarians to refine case management and provide high quality laboratory animal medicine and care

25% - Oversight/Management of specialized services and programs for the Veterinary Services Unit.
* Incorporate process improvements for each program with key stakeholders
* Oversee the following programs and assign responsibilities to staff as appropriate in each area
* Rodent Health Surveillance and Quarantine programs
* USDA covered species procurement and preventative medicine programs
* Clinical supply inventory and ordering management, controlled substance program oversight, and pharmacy operations
* Identify opportunities for other specialized programs to further refine and strengthen veterinary services

5-10% - Cross-trained to provide support and backup as needed for the Technical Services Program and Diagnostic Lab services
* Support the Technical Services in identifying employees to perform requested procedures
* Support Diagnostic Lab services
* Encourage opportunities for all staff to learn new techniques from subject matter experts

5-10% - Clinical and Technical Duties
* Expectation to be a working manager and help perform clinical case triaging, management, training and other technical duties when staffing is short
* Weekend and after hours work may be possible

5% - Develop and maintain cross unit communication and relationships within RAR
* Maintain effective communication with the RAR Operations and Husbandry teams
* Identify areas for improvement for communication and bring ideas to managers and senior leaders
* Provide mentorship to resolve conflict professionally without the need for escalation

5% - Other duties as assigned by the manager or leadership

Required Qualifications:
* BA/BS degree plus at least five years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least 9 years
* Direct managerial experience of employees, >2 year in duration

Preferred Qualifications:
* Direct managerial experience of bargaining unit employees
* CVT certification
* AALAS Technician Certification (any level)
* Experience with regulations, guidance documents, and accreditation programs that are part of the research field (e.g. The USDA Animal Welfare Act and Regulations, The Public Health Service Policy and PHS Assurance, OLAW, The Guide, The Ag Guide, and AAALAC International Accreditation)
* Excellent communication skills and experience working in a university setting with diverse staff, laboratory researchers and research models

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities necessary to be successful in position:
* Possess communication and leadership skills needed to interact with veterinary technician employees, professional staff, technical and administrative staff, and animal care staff
* Ability to work collaboratively with counterpart in making consistent management decisions
* Ability to delegate appropriately as needed
* Ability to work and think independently to produce quality work and to encourage the same quality work from employees
* Interest in mentoring, teaching, and cross-training staff to promote professional growth of employees
* A thorough knowledge of animal welfare regulations as described in the Preferred Qualifications
* Working knowledge of generally accepted laboratory animal husbandry practices and the ability to work collaboratively with operations and husbandry supervisors and animal care technicians to promote advances in animal care
* Excellent attention to details, analytical thinking skills, resourcefulness, ingenuity, project organization, and management skills
* Computer skills necessary to learn and use current RAR electronic systems and to adapt to new software programs as they are implemented
* Experience with conflict management and the ability to deescalate difficult situations
* Must be flexible, change-agile, forward-thinking, and motivated to succeed in RAR's mission

Research Animal Resources (RAR) provides the University of Minnesota research community with animal care, procurement services, veterinary knowledge, and maintenance of housing facilities for animal-related research activities.

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

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