Veterinary Technician II - SUR

Join the HJF Team!

HJF is seeking a Veterinary Technician II who is responsible for providing the daily care of research animals and assisting with research projects as directed by the Principal Investigator and/or supervisor. This position provides hands-on technical and operational support for large animal surgical studies, including anesthesia, surgical preparation, controlled substance accountability, tissue and sample collection, data collection, record management, and post-procedure care.

This position will be in support of Battlefield Shock and Organ Support (BSOS). The BSOS program supports translational research focused on combat casualty care, hemorrhagic shock, resuscitation, organ support, surgical models, and related Department of Defense research priorities. The successful candidate will work closely with veterinarians, investigators, research staff, surgical personnel, and animal care teams to support studies from preparation through recovery, necropsy, or tissue collection.

This position currently involves BSL-1 work. Future program needs may include additional species, specialized models, BSL-2 procedures, or non-human primate research, depending on training, occupational health clearance, institutional approvals, and protocol requirements.

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing military medicine. We serve military, medical, academic and government clients by administering, managing and supporting preeminent scientific programs that benefit members of the armed forces and civilians alike. Since its founding in 1983, HJF has served as a vital link between the military medical community and its federal and private partners. HJF's support and administrative capabilities allow military medical researchers and clinicians to maintain their scientific focus and accomplish their research goals.

• Support large animal surgical research procedures, including pre-operative preparation, intraoperative support, post-operative monitoring, recovery, necropsy support, and tissue collection.
• Prepare animals, procedure rooms, instruments, anesthesia equipment, monitoring systems, and supplies for terminal and survival procedures.
• Assist with anesthesia induction, intubation, ventilation, physiologic monitoring, anesthetic maintenance, fluid administration, recovery, and related documentation.
• Monitor and document animal status, vital signs, anesthesia depth, medication administration, fluid therapy, blood loss, sample collection, and intraoperative events.
• Assist with controlled substance management, including preparation, secure handling, inventory tracking, usage documentation, reconciliation, and compliance with institutional requirements.
• Collect, label, process, preserve, store, and transfer blood, tissue, biopsy, and necropsy samples according to approved study protocols.
• Conduct animal handling, restraint, weighing, transport, health observations, welfare checks, and post-procedure assessments.
• Maintain animal rooms, surgical areas, procedure spaces, cages, anesthesia machines, monitoring equipment, and associated supplies.
• Follow BSL-1 laboratory and animal research practices, including PPE use, sharps safety, specimen handling, sanitation, waste handling, and institutional safety procedures.
• Coordinate daily activities with veterinarians, investigators, animal care staff, research personnel, and surgical team members.
• Set up, operate, clean, troubleshoot, and maintain laboratory, anesthesia, surgical, monitoring, and data acquisition equipment.
• May assist with training research personnel in animal handling, surgical setup, anesthesia support, sample collection, LabChart use, documentation, and laboratory safety.
• May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the PI. This may include attendance of and participation in required training for role.

Education and Experience

• Associate Degree required.
• Minimum of 3 - 5 years required. 3 years of related experience in veterinary medicine, laboratory animal medicine, biomedical research, surgical research, or a similar animal care environment.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to prioritize animal welfare, protocol compliance, biosafety, controlled substance accountability, data integrity, and study organization.
• Ability to communicate clearly with veterinarians, investigators, research staff, animal care personnel, and leadership.
• Ability to handle sensitive research materials, controlled substances, biological specimens, and confidential study information responsibly.
• Ability to work early mornings, extended procedure days, or flexible hours based on surgical and research schedules.
• Hands-on experience supporting animal procedures, anesthesia, surgery, perioperative care, or research procedures.
• Experience handling and restraining animals in a veterinary, research, academic, military, or biomedical setting.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a T1/Public Trust background check.

Physical Capabilities

• Lifting: Requires lifting materials up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment

• This position will take place primarily in a laboratory environment.

Compensation

• The hourly pay range for this position is $22.16 - $31.24. Actual hourly pay will be determined based on experience, education, etc.

Benefits

• HJF offers a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on your health and well-being, from medical, dental, and vision coverage to health savings and retirement plans, and more.

Employment with HJF is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, which may include, but is not limited to, contacting your professional references, verification of previous employment, education and credentials, a criminal background check, and a department of motor vehicle (DMV) check if applicable. Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.