Overview

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world's leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world's deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. These values are grounded in and expressed through the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems. Fred Hutch is in pursuit of becoming an anti-racist organization. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates hired share our commitment to diversity, anti-racism and inclusion.

The Veterinary Services Specialist I is responsible for supporting the animal health and study support needs of researchers at Fred Hutch. The Veterinary Services Specialist I will assist researchers or Comparative Medicine by providing a variety of basic technical procedures as well as health assessments in studies involving laboratory animals. This is an entry level position within the Comparative Medicine resource with substantial room for growth.

At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, all employees are expected to demonstrate a commitment to our values of collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity, and respect.

Responsibilities

PRIMARY/ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Research Support:
  • Provide appropriate veterinary care to animals housed in Fred Hutch animal facilities including assessment, treatment, and supportive care, under the direction of veterinarians.
  • Perform diagnostic sampling and submission.
  • Learn to perform procedures such as basic substance administration specimen collection, necropsy, and tissue harvest in accordance with IACUC approved protocols.
  • Perform colony support services such as weaning and identification.
  • Perform animal husbandry duties including monitoring of environmental conditions or water quality, cleaning of primary enclosures, provide nutrition and enrichment to various USDA and non-USDA regulated species.
• Research development:
  • Establish and maintain positive, collaborative working relationships with investigators and external users to identify veterinary and research support needs.
• Equipment Oversight:
  • Perform basic equipment operation and maintenance of veterinary diagnostic, imaging, or environmental testing equipment.
  • Operate autoclave, pressure washer and other cleaning equipment.
  • Potentially review and identify new equipment needs.
  • Assist in supply management.
• Training and Education:
  • Adheres to SOPs, training materials, and guidelines for Comparative Medicine and investigator use.
  • Assist in developing SOPs, training materials, and guidelines for investigator use of equipment.
  • May supervise work-study students, interns and lab aids.
• Administrative tasks:
  • Utilize Microsoft 365 products, Cayuse and IACUC protocol systems for record keeping and referencing project information.
  • Maintain accurate animal health and facility records.
  • Submission of appropriate documentation of services rendered.
  • Appropriately uses, documents, and assures security of legend and controlled substances.
  • Report results to users; accurate documentation of laboratory activities; perform basic billing requirements
• Regulatory and Compliance:
  • Operate in accordance with Comparative Medicine policies, guidelines, and SOPs and approved IACUC animal use protocols.
  • Participate in Environmental Health and Safety required training when applicable.
  • Working with the Regulatory Veterinarian, may assist in post approval monitoring.
• Other duties as assigned, including supporting Husbandry and Operations.

The Veterinary Services Specialist I is classified as essential personnel and, as such, is required to work with minimal number of absences and during all Center closures except in the event of a major disaster when access to animal housing and use facilities is prohibited by governmental emergency personnel.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY:

• Level of autonomy:
  • A Veterinary Services Specialist I will communicate day-to-day needs to their manager.
  • This position has no responsibility for supervision of others.
  • There is high oversight and training from the resource director and senior staff and partial interfacing with resource users.
• Financial responsibility:
  • This role does not have direct financial responsibility but will assist in billing and review of charge codes as required.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate Degree and 1+ years of experience, OR GED/ High School Diploma and 3+ years of experience.
• AALAS certification at the ALAT or higher level is recommended, and persons hired for this position should continue to pursue this certification as soon as possible once eligible, until achieved

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in biology, veterinary technology or related field.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and adapt to new systems and techniques.
• Understanding of laboratory animal housing, biohazard containment, and radiation safety.
• Ability to learn technical procedures in rodents and other animal species as needed.
• Basic understanding of common health conditions and pathogens in all animal species housed at Fred Hutch.
• Excellent communication skills and organizational skills.
• Ability to work in a collaborative team-oriented environment.
• Experience with Microsoft 365 programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, Sharepoint, Teams, One Drive, etc.)
• Record keeping and database management

A statement describing your commitment and contributions toward greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism in your career or that will be made through your work at Fred Hutch is requested of all finalists.

The hourly pay range for this position is from $29.19 to $41.56 and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance health, well-being, and financial security. Benefits include medical/vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, life, disability, retirement, family life support, employee assistance program, onsite health clinic, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (12-22 days per year), paid sick leave (12-25 days per year), paid holidays (13 days per year), paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks), and partially paid sabbatical leave (up to 6 months).

Our Commitment to Diversity