The Department of Comparative Medicine is dedicated to the facilitation of biomedical research utilizing animals, while striving to maintain the highest quality of ethical, humane and appropriate animal care. The Department is committed to continuing to improve the quality of services provided to research investigators for the purpose of improving the health of humans and animals.

Reporting to the Executive Director, maintains a program of outstanding veterinary care for research animals including diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, pain/distress management and surgical consultation, as well as oversight of animal procurement and transportation, and supervision of the preventative medicine program (including quarantine, animal biosecurity, and surveillance). Advises research staff on proper veterinary care, specifically pain/distress management and peri operative care. Collaborates with faculty on research projects including design and performance of animal models, as well as methods and techniques.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Directly or by delegation to the clinical staff, provides outstanding veterinary care to research animals including diagnosis and treatment of a variety of health conditions, in multiple species, as well as euthanasia, necropsy, tissue collection and record keeping.

Provides advice to the IACUC and the research community in relation to pain and distress management in multiple animal species. This includes staying current in novel protocols and medications associated to analgesia and anesthesia in research animals.

Provides consultation and support for surgical procedures associated to animal models, including pre, intra and post operative care, as well as conducting surgical procedures as needed based on veterinary discretion. Surgery responsibilities also include hands on training of veterinary care staff and laboratory members.

Manages and develops best practices for a comprehensive animal biosecurity program for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (CSMC) including but not limited to processes and procedures for quarantine, health surveillance, environmental monitoring, internal animal movement as well as animal imports and exports.

Participates in IACUC and USDA inspections, as well as AAALAC site visits.

Participates in the development and management of Comparative Medicine’s disaster plan as well as other policies and procedures.

Assists Executive Director, Comparative Medicine in development and implementation training programs for comparative medicine (CM) staff as well as laboratory personnel. Provides training to CM and research staff in surgical and non-surgical procedures including but not limited to anesthesia administration, monitoring and recovery, aseptic technique, surgical and non-surgical procedures, euthanasia and tissue collection.

Participates as appropriate in IACUC and IBC activities to include committee membership and inspections. Oversees departmental contributions to the IACUC post-approval monitoring program.

Reviews IACUC protocol applications and provide veterinary consultation for PIs. Maintains collaborative relationship with other offices within CSMC including EH&S, IACUC, HR.

Assists Executive Director in documenting and developing processes to govern the use of hazardous agents, as well as to manage other types of risk in the vivarium (e.g. ergonomic, heat, trip and fall, bites and scratches, etc.)

Manages clinical staff team by providing feedback, guidance and coaching related to (a) adherence to departmental policies and procedures, (b) efficient, effective and consistent veterinary care, (c) performance of daily duties, (d) staffing coverage, and (e) employee growth and development. Manages scheduling of clinical staff to support research protocols and veterinary related processes and programs within Comparative Medicine.

Develops and maintains productive and service-oriented teams, with ample knowledge of laboratory animal care, use and welfare, as well as of the regulations that govern the use of laboratory animals in research, teaching, and testing. Performs other related duties as assigned or required.

Manages Research Institute’s Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) registrations, including:

• Oversee submission of lockbox location updates, coordination between Research Facilities, Principal Investigators (PIs) and Comparative Medicine to install new lockboxes, and timely renewal of registrations.
• Maintain usage compliant with Research Institute policy and procedures as well as Title 21CFR § 1300 to end, and CA Health & Safety Code Division 10: California Uniform Controlled Substance Act.
• Develop and oversee mandatory controlled substance training for Comparative Medicine clinical staff, Principal Investigators and laboratory Controlled Substance Designees.
• Approved Controlled Substances orders and maintain appropriate inventory based on the needs of Comparative Medicine and authorized researchers.

Education

Graduation from AVMA Council of Education accredited veterinary school (DVM or VMD degree) or graduation from foreign veterinary school and successful completion of an education equivalence assessment certification program – the ECFVG - Required

Post Doctoral Certification - Graduation from an ACLAM approved residency program in Laboratory Animal Medicine - Preferred

Work experience

6 Years - Experience providing veterinary care – Required

2 Years - Experience in biomedical research field in an AAALAC accredited research facility after graduation from laboratory animal medicine residency program – Preferred

1 Year - Surgical experience with multiple species – Preferred

License Requirements

License to practice Veterinary Medicine in the US – at time of hire required

License to practice Veterinary Medicine in the State of California – 180 days upon hire date required

ACLAM board certification - Board certified in Laboratory Animal Medicine – Upon hire required

USDA accreditation - National Accreditation Program certificate. Category II – 90 days upon hire date

DEA registration - Schedule II, III, IV, V – 120 days upon hire date