School of Medicine
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Job Summary
In the Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR), the Comparative Medicine Specialist (CMS) Assistant Manager works as part of the management team for the husbandry staff in a designated research space. This position reports to an Operations Manager or Assistant Operations Manager in an assigned area based on the overall operational needs of DLAR. The DLAR CMS Assistant Manager position may perform any of the tasks outlined below. The portfolio of duties for the CMS Assistant Manager position may change based on operational needs, but will be contained to the overall scope of the role within the husbandry team.
Special Conditions of Employment
Working Schedule

• Must be able to work a flexible working schedule based on workload and deadlines;
• Must be able to work schedules as assigned by Operations Manager or his/her designee for that specific animal facility;
• Must be able to work assigned standard schedules, including (but not limited to) Mon-Fri, Wed-Sun and Tue-Sat shifts;
• Must be able to work on rotating on call duties after hours and on weekends;
• Must be able to work on holidays as assigned.

Occupational Health and Safety
As a safeguard for the employee and the animals, medical examinations and risk assessments are performed. Some immunizations or further diagnostics may be required prior to working with specific animals or animal populations as determined by occupational health medical personnel, including, but not limited to:

• TB testing and clearance;
• Hepatitis B (proof of immunization and/or vaccination);
• Rabies (proof of immunization and/or vaccination);
• Tetanus (current vaccination less than 10 years);
• Measles (proof of immunization and/or vaccination);
• Periodic physical examinations (including respiratory fit tests);
• Other vaccines or testing as required by EOHW standards.

Hazard Exposure
The animal facility has a variety of environmental conditions. Specifically, employees may be exposed to potentially hazardous noise, dust, chemicals, extreme heat, and animal waste products. The duration of exposure of any of the above is dependent on assigned duties. Some aspects of this position may expose the incumbent to potentially zoonotic and other biohazardous agents. Appropriate protective clothing and equipment may be required and will be provided when required, accompanied by appropriate training.
Work Performed

1. Assumes management of direct reports in an assigned area under the mentorship of the Operations Manager. This includes monitoring work arrivals/departures and approving time off requests for the CMS and CMS Senior positions based on operational needs. The CMS Assistant Manager will assist the Operations Manager or designee with writing PEPs and corrective actions.
2. Performs all duties and responsibilities of the CMS and CMS Senior levels and serves as back-up in their absence. This includes all husbandry duties, maintaining animal inventory, husbandry and room maintenance records and performing facility sanitation in assigned facilities.
3. Performs daily work involving the handling of conventional and genetically engineered animal models, animals with immunocompromised health status, infectious disease studies, and animals recovering from surgery or other invasive procedures, etc.
4. Performs duties within various animal biosafety levels.
5. Provides coaching, mentoring and training to CMS, CMS Senior, and research staff; facilitates small group and team building activities.
6. Performs proficiency checks on employees regularly to include documentation and follow up to ensure proper training.
7. Assists Operations Manager or designee with purchases of supplies or other management duties in their absence or as assigned.
8. Assists Operations Manager or designee in writing and updating SOPs as assigned.
9. Install, manage, and maintain specialized facility equipment and communicate with Operations Manager when issues are identified.
10. Checks all door sheets/forms associated with husbandy duties for accuracy and completeness.
11. Assists Operations Manager or designee with management duties as assigned.
12. Conducts facility orientations for all DLAR spaces in a given research area.
13. Communicates with veterinary staff on a regular basis about all health observations and confirmed conditions; assists in the development of new operational approaches that are likely to minimize the incidence of common problems. Communicate with the research staff as directed by the veterinary staff about health concerns that can be prevented and instruct DLAR or research staff on new methods or process changes.
14. Coordinates collection of diagnostic samples and ensures timely submission to the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab.
15. Assists the Operations Manager or designee with animal transfers making sure that documentation is completed and proper procedures are followed.
16. Coordinates receipt of animals for assigned areas. Performs initial inspections of incoming or newly arrived animals and assures that they are in good health and that the animals in shipping containers meet the specifications of accompanying shipping records. Assists Import/Export and Transfer Specialists with animal imports, exports, and transfers, making sure that identified animals are selected and properly routed.
17. May provide specialized technical assistance to DLAR veterinarians and research staff. Serve as a resource to research staff in the preparation and conduct of their approved protocols.
18. Assists with the implementation of the DLAR environmental enrichment program and assesses animals for behavioral issues; may change enrichment devices based on knowledge of behavioral problems and proper therapies as appropriate.
19. Assists in quarantine, isolation, and housing of animals in the Duke facilities with any special health concerns to protect the health of other colony animals.
20. Assists Operations Manager in conducting CMS meetings, training sessions and team building activities as scheduled by the supervisory staff.
21. Complies with DLAR and Duke Policies and standard operating procedures.
22. Performs other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Skills

• Demonstrated proficiency (didactic and practical) for core DLAR SOPs.
• Ability to lift and move 50lbs. on a regular basis and stand for long periods of time.
• Customer-focused attitude and enjoys working with similarly dedicated persons in a team fashion within a high-energy research environment.
• Ability to work independently and supervise the work of others.
• Ability to make decisions regarding daily facility operations and to address unusual situations that arise within the animal research facilities.
• Ability to clearly, respectfully, and timely correspond with researchers in writing and orally in a manner that is customer focused while assuring regulatory compliance.

Minimum Qualifications
Education
High school diploma or equivalency degree. Must have a valid driver's license LAT certification required; LATG certification preferred
Experience
Five years of laboratory animal care experience. Supervisory experience preferred. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
Degrees, Licensures, Certifications
LAT certification required; LATG certification preferred
Job Code: 00003505 COMPARATIVE MEDICINE SPECIALIST ASST MGR
Job Level: 10
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