Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center: Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of diverse individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health recognizes that diversity is essential for excellence and innovation. We are committed to an inclusive environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your diversity of culture, thinking, learning, and leading is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt's mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.

Organization:

OCRS - Biological Safety

Job Summary:

JOB SUMMARY
Provide technical expertise and directly support the management of research-related hazards used or present in the animal research setting for Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers. Also, perform similar functions as they pertain to researchers in Vanderbilt University in accordance with the Service Level Agreement between OCRS Biosafety and Vanderbilt University. The position reports to the Office of Clinical Research Safety (OCRS) Assistant Director of Biological Safety.

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MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In conjunction with Animal Care and Use Program (ACUP) personnel and OCRS Biosafety subject matter experts (SMEs), assess hazards related to the animal research setting and planned research activities; develop guidance related to hazard control practices for new studies, processes, and equipment. Serve as an ad hoc member, subject matter expert on the Division of Animal Care (DAC) Safety Committee; aid and develop personnel resources and tools related to biosafety for this group as needed Support the Biosafety Officer in developing biosafety procedures, trainings, signage, and guidance documents needed for animal biosafety level 2 (ABSL-2) activities; actively monitor the ABSL-2 areas for deficiencies/items for improvement. Serve as the OCRS departmental lead in matters related to OCRS review of animal protocols undergoing review by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC); this requires working knowledge of an online protocol program and coordination of data for the 3 areas of review (Bio, Chem, & Rad) performed by OCRS. Serve as a departmental liaison to the IACUC and the Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBC) for matters related to the use of research related hazards on animal protocols. Provide emergency response in incidents involving biological materials.

Supervisory Responsibilities: No supervisory responsibilities.

Budgetary Responsibility: Prepare necessary cost documentation for supervisory approval.

COMMUNICATION

Internal

The applicant will have very frequent contact with animal care staff, researchers, principal investigators, laboratory managers, laboratory assistants, instructors, and students. The position will also communicate on a frequent level with other OCRS staff, ACUP Leadership and Occupational Health.

External

The applicant will have management-directed contact with consultants and vendors involved with various aspects of the Biosafety Program.

Patient/Student Contact

The applicant will have frequent contact with students as interns or in research or teaching laboratories. No direct patient contact.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The applicant must be able to lift 50 lbs. and be willing and able to wear required personal protective equipment including protective clothing and gloves, eye/face protection, and, in some cases, negative or positive-pressure respiratory protection. This position requires entry into areas where research animals, biological and infectious agents, hazardous chemicals, and ionizing radiation may be used.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/CERTIFICATION

The applicant must have a bachelor's degree plus 2 years of experience in public health, occupational health and safety, or other appropriate science-related field of study (e.g. animal science, microbiology, molecular biology) is required.

JOB RELATED SKILLS:

The applicant must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as computer skills and the ability to input and utilize database information. The applicant must also have experience delivering one-on-one and group training. They must also demonstrate working knowledge of relevant prudent practices, guidelines, and regulations in the field of occupational safety as it relates to the animal research environment.

Our professional administrative functions include critical supporting roles in information technology and informatics, finance, administration, legal and community affairs, human resources, communications and marketing, development, facilities, and many more.

At our growing health system, we support each other and encourage excellence among all who are part of our workforce. High-achieving employees stay at Vanderbilt Health for professional growth, appreciation of benefits, and a sense of community and purpose.

Core Accountabilities:

Organizational Impact: Executes job responsibilities with the understanding of how output would affect and impact other areas related to own job area/team with occasional guidance. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Analyzes moderately complex problems using technical experience and judgment. Breadth of Knowledge: Has expanded knowledge gained through experience within a professional area. Team Interaction: Provides informal guidance and support to team members.

Core Capabilities :

Supporting Colleagues:- Develops Self and Others: Invests time, energy, and enthusiasm in developing self/others to help improve performance e and gain knowledge in new areas.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to expand and strengthen relationships.- Communicates Effectively: Recognizes group interactions and modifies one's own communication style to suit different situations and audiences. Delivering Excellent Services:- Serves Others with Compassion: Seeks to understand current and future needs of relevant stakeholders and customizes services to better address them.- Solves Complex Problems: Approaches problems from different angles; Identifies new possibilities to interpret opportunities and develop concrete solutions.- Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing support and coaching in a constructive manner to increase employees' effectiveness. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Engages regularly in formal and informal dialogue about quality; directly addresses quality issues promptly.- Ensures Continuous Improvement: Applies various learning experiences by looking beyond symptoms to uncover underlying causes of problems and identifies ways to resolve them. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Understands all aspects of providing a safe environment and performs routine safety checks to prevent safety hazards from occurring. Managing Resources Effectively: - Demonstrates Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of ownership, focusing on and driving critical issues to closure.- Stewards Organizational Resources: Applies understanding of the departmental work to effectively manage resources for a department/area.- Makes Data Driven Decisions: Demonstrates strong understanding of the information or data to identify and elevate opportunities. Fostering Innovation:- Generates New Ideas: Proactively identifies new ideas/opportunities from multiple sources or methods to improve processes beyond conventional approaches.- Applies Technology: Demonstrates an enthusiasm for learning new technologies, tools, and procedures to address short-term challenges.- Adapts to Change: Views difficult situations and/or problems as opportunities for improvement; actively embraces change instead of emphasizing negative elements.

Position Qualifications:

Responsibilities:

Certifications:

Work Experience:

Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level:

2 years

Education:

Bachelor's (Required)

Vanderbilt Health recognizes that diversity is essential for excellence and innovation. We are committed to an inclusive environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and to the principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action. EOE/AA/Women/Minority/Vets/Disabled