Research Veterinary Assistant (VA) I

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Join Cleveland Clinic’s Main Campus where research and surgery are advanced, technology is leading-edge, patient care is world class and caregivers are family. Here, you will work alongside a passionate and dedicated team, receive endless support and appreciation, and build a rewarding career with one of the most respected healthcare organizations in the world.  

As a Research Veterinary Assistant I, you will monitor and care for the health and well-being of research animals while supporting daily operations within the research environment. In this role, you will assist research laboratories by preparing and supporting animal studies, conducting health screenings and assessments, maintaining animal health reports, providing supportive care when needed, and communicating with research teams regarding animal health concerns or study-related issues. Your work will contribute to foundational pre-clinical research that advances scientific discovery and helps improve patient care around the world.

A caregiver in this role works days from 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (flexible start/end times) and one weekend shift per month.

A caregiver who excels in this role will:  

• Perform daily veterinary service room rounds by examining rodents and aquatic animals, looking for health or well-being concerns and communicate with a veterinarian and/or veterinary technician regarding findings. 

• Monitor and perform rodent colony management and ensure compliance with facility guidelines and SOPs.

• Document and communicate actions taken to support animal welfare and research.

• Submit special service charges for services provided.

• Ensure that areas used for technical procedures are well maintained and adequately supplied.

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:   

• High school diploma or equivalent and one year of experience with demonstrated competence working with animals within a research lab and/or working with animals

• OR Bachelor’s degree in a related field

• Ability to understand and follow detailed scientific or medical instructions given by investigators and/or veterinarians.

• Flexibility to ensure all animal care responsibilities are completed, supporting a 7-day-per-week, 365-day-per-year operation that may include weekends and holidays

Preferred qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:  

• Animal handling experience or comfortable with handling animals

• Basic computer skills

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift and transport equipment, supplies and/or animals weighing up to 75 pounds using carts with casters.

• Ability to understand and follow detailed scientific or medical instructions given by investigators and/or veterinarians

• Capable of tolerating a significant amount of standing, bending and walking.

• May be required to work with biological, chemical and radiation hazards after proper training.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Lab jacket, nitrile gloves or other PPE required to perform tasks.

• Follows all other standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required.

The policy of Cleveland Clinic Health System and its system hospitals (Cleveland Clinic Health System) is to provide equal opportunity to all of our caregivers and applicants for employment in our drug free environment. All offers of employment are followed by testing for controlled substances.

Cleveland Clinic Health System administers an influenza prevention program. You will be required to comply with this program, which will include obtaining an influenza vaccination on an annual basis or obtaining an approved exemption.

Decisions concerning employment, transfers and promotions are made upon the basis of the best qualified candidate without regard to color, race, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, status as a disabled or Vietnam era veteran or any other characteristic protected by law. Information provided on this application may be shared with any Cleveland Clinic Health System facility. 

If applying for a Florida position, please see the following website for more information on the background screening requirements required by the Agency of Health Care Administration: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Please review the Equal Employment Opportunity poster. 

Cleveland Clinic is pleased to be an equal employment opportunity employer.