Senior Veterinary Nurse/Veterinary Nurse P002155
Listing reference: nwu_002292
Listing status: Closed
Apply by: 31 January 2024
Position summary
Industry: Education & Training
Job category: Medical Research and Laboratory Sciences
Location: Potchefstroom
Contract: Permanent
Remuneration: Market Related
Introduction
NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY (POTCHEFSTROOM CAMPUS)
DEPARTMENT: DSI/NWU PRECLINICAL DRUG DEVELOPMENT PLATFORM (PCDDP)
VACANCY: SENIOR VETERINARY NURSE/ VETERINARY NURSE
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: PERMANENT APPOINTMENT
POSITION NUMBER: P002155
PEROMNES: P9/P10
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
Senior Veterinary nurses/ Veterinary nurses are responsible for the promotion of animal health, relief of suffering by animals and the saving of animal lives, through for example euthanasia of animals, blood sampling of animals, dissection of organ sampling and safe disposal of carcasses. They are responsible for the review of experimental protocol and shared responsibility for genetic standardization of the breeding colony and rodent health screening. Veterinary nurses work as caring professionals and make important contributions to the physical and emotional well-being and study environment of animals and people. Also, there is an increasingly high study burden and a need for veterinary procedures that fall outside the scope of practice of animal caretakers. They are also responsible for the identification and procurement of critical infrastructure equipment and responsible or training and supervision of the maintenance officer.
Job description
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Daily Animal care, health monitoring and general support (BSL2/ GLP SPF)
· Daily monitoring, maintenance of the animal cage environment, monitoring of health, nursing care as required.
· Daily monitoring and recording of general health and welfare of experimental animals.
· Apply various methods of humane animal marking ID techniques.
· Ensuring proper sterilization using the Medi-Clave autoclave and disinfection of the Vivarium. Monitoring, and maintaining biosecurity standard of SPF area in the Vivarium.
· Use, management of specialized experimental equipment (incl. calibration and servicing thereof), as well as the identification and procurement of critical infrastructure equipment.
· Genetic standardization of breeding colony, implement and manage rodent health screening program and microbiological screening of the environment.
· Must continually look for areas where practices can be improved upon, keeping abreast with current developments in rodent care and health practices, and implement it in consultation with the veterinarian.
· Performing proxy tasks for Head of Vivarium, Animal Caretakers and maintenance officer.
Breeding and husbandry of mice and rats in SPF and GLP
· Liaise directly with researchers (as assigned by the project director) with the aim of supplying advice for the feasibility and execution of the studies.
· Ensure breeding software program is current and accurately maintained, be involved with colony management in consultation with GLP coordinator.
· Responsible for the review of experimental protocol and shared responsibility for genetic standardization of the breeding colony and rodent health screening and be actively involved with breeding planning for filling orders for projects and clients.
· Also producing rodents as required for research work.
· Supply hands on technical work as well as technical operations of preclinical safety pharmacology apparatus, participate in protocol design for studies.
Preparation of animals and work area for veterinary procedures
· Collection of animals from the holding area, hygiene of the work area, hygiene and sterilization of equipment prior to procedures, assembling consumables, and cleaning and disinfection afterwards when needed.
· Keep abreast with veterinary procedure scheduling in consultation with vet and LATs, coordinating events and clean-up in between projects when there is back-to-back scheduled events.
· Senior Veterinary nurses are responsible for the promotion of animal health, relief of suffering by animals and the saving of animal lives, through for example euthanasia of animals, blood sampling of animals, dissection of organ sampling and safe disposal of carcasses.
Support during administering of veterinary procedures
· Ensure capacity for the necessary restraint, assisting with administering and monitoring anaesthesia, positioning of the animal, clipping, monitoring and supportive nursing during recovery, when needed.
· Be always abreast with current techniques, may suggest or even drive improvements to existing capacity.
Sample management
· Euthanasia and collection or assistance with collection of samples.
· Unassisted preparation of sample collection equipment, packaging and sending of samples (including microbiology health screening and environmental microbiology screening samples) to other test centres as required.
Maintaining and updating veterinary drug registry
· Updating, recording and maintaining veterinary drug registry, stock control and ordering of veterinary drugs.
Procurement of veterinary equipment and ensuring that PPE (overshoes, hairnets, gloves, clean laboratory coats) are available in foyers of BSL3/ GLP/ SPF at all times
· Drive procurement of surgical equipment and consumables (e.g. balances, centrifuges, anaesthetics, syringes, PPE etc.), continually checking what is available and motivate for acquisition of equipment to improve on existing scope of service when needed.
· Monitor daily checks done by Vet Nurses and supplement as necessary, order all stock of PPE when it becomes necessary in consultation with GLP coordinator.
OHS (Occupational Health and Safety)
· Number and scope of potential and real OHS risks identified and reported immediately to the line manager.
· Other efforts to mitigate these risks without endangering oneself and/or any others.
· OHS training received.
· Compliance with OHS audits, schedules, evacuation drills etc.
· Number of reprimands, non-compliance and near-misses.
Minimum requirements
Senior Veterinary Nurse (P9)
· A Diploma (NQF level 6) in Veterinary Nurse – Dip. Vet. Nur.
· Additional qualification on NQF level 7 in the veterinary field.
· Professional registration with SAVC as a Veterinary Nurse.
· A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in care of animals
· A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in cleaning of animal facility and animal hygiene
· A minimum of three (3) years’ supervisory experience.
ADDED ADVANTAGE
- Professional membership with SAALAS.
· A minimum of three (3) years’ work experience in the support for scientific research projects.
Veterinary Nurse (P10)
· A Diploma (NQF level 6) in Veterinary Nurse – Dip. Vet. Nur.
· Professional registration with SAVC as a Veterinary Nurse.
· A minimum of three 3 years’ experience in care of animals
· A minimum of three 3 years’ experience in cleaning of animal facility and animal hygiene
ADDED ADVANTAGE
- Professional membership with SAALAS.
- Additional qualification on NQF level 7 in the veterinary field
· A minimum of two (2) years’ supervisory experience.
KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:
· Lab animal housing and routines.
· A good knowledge of hygiene and micro-organisms, e.g. bacteria, viruses, parasites.
· Have knowledge of hygiene procedures, e.g. in different rooms. Animal rooms and equipment included.
· Good knowledge of animal breeding procedures.
· Record keeping.
· Quality Assurance Systems – preferably GLP.
· Handling of animals without help.
· Must be fluent in English and Afrikaans for training purposes.
· Computer literacy, particularly in processing data (Excel, MS Word).
· Good cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing technics.
KEY BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:
· Ability to work individually and in a team.
· Good planning and forethought.
· Good verbal and written communication.
· Good time management.
· Able to use own initiative.
· Interpersonal relations.
REMUNERATION
The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.
ENQUIRIES REGADING JOB CONTENT MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Dr. Nico Minnaar, Tel No: 018 285-2902
ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Ms. Janine Da Gama, Tel No: 016 910-3451
CLOSING DATE: 31 January 2024
COMMENCEMENT OF DUTIES: As soon as possible
Kindly take note: applications may only be submitted online through the official NWU vacancy website.
Incomplete applications and those submitted through any other platform will not be considered.
The University subscribes to and applies the principles of the Employment Equity Act and is committed to transformation. Preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups, in accordance with the principles of the aforementioned Act and NWU Employment Equity Plan.
The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.
If you are not contacted within two months from the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.
