The University of Southern California, Department of Animal Resources, is seeking a responsible, self-motivated, organized, and knowledgeable individual for a position of Animal Laboratory Health Technician. The Department of Animal Resources takes pride in providing optimal animal care for all animals housed at the university for the purposes of biomedical research and teaching. This position provides animal health care for laboratory animals under the supervision of licensed veterinarians. The Animal Laboratory Health Technician performs routine clinical procedures on a variety of laboratory animal species including handling, restraint, examinations, sample collection, necropsy, and administration of medications. This position is also responsible for coordinating the shipment and quarantine of research animals.

Job Accountabilities

· Provides care and treatment to research animals under veterinary supervision and assists principal investigators with treatments. Assists veterinarians with clinical cases as needed.

· Provides anesthetic assistance and performs euthanasia under veterinary supervision. Responds to emergency situations for animals in surgery or in other campus locations.

· Maintains pharmaceutical and surgical or laboratory supply inventories. Orders supplies and pharmaceuticals. Keeps abreast of new developments in the pharmaceutical field through journals, circulars and seminars. Maintains accurate, updated logs of controlled substances

· Collects and processes diagnostic samples. Administers drugs and other treatments. Assists Veterinarians and Principal Investigators with handling animals during procedures

· Ensures that animals are provided care in accordance with state and federal regulations to promote physical and psychological well-being and minimize discomfort

· Assists in training researchers and staff in animal procedures and guidelines.

· Uses and maintains surgical equipment such as anesthesia machines, ventilators, cautery apparatus, suction equipment, clippers, endoscopes and monitoring devices

· Prepares and sterilizes instruments and facilities for surgical use. Performs technical procedures in animal surgery, i.e. anesthetic, post-operative care. Maintains accurate records of procedures performed on animals. Analyzes case history records

· Performs laboratory examinations including necropsy, clinical pathology, microbiology, parasitology, PCR, ELISA, etc. under veterinary supervision

· Provides information to Business Office for billing charges to principal investigators

· Assists in inspecting incoming animals for shipping condition, food supply, disease symptoms; performs physical examinations. Maintains accurate records

· Communicates with researchers and labs by email, phone, and in person about animal health and research needs

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education/Experience: 3 years combined experience or education in related animal or health fields; Minimum Field of Expertise: Courses or experience in life sciences or animal health technology. Experience in animal handling, veterinary diagnostics, anesthesia, and surgical assistance.

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values.

The hourly rate range for this position is $29.59 – $31.48 . When determining an offer, the University of Southern California considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate’s experience, education, training, key skills, internal peer alignment, applicable laws, contractual requirements, grant funding, and market conditions.

LI-AW1

Required Education: – Related undergraduate study – Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Required Experience: – 3 years Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: – Experience with animal handling, animal treatment, veterinary diagnostics, animal anesthesia and surgical assistance in veterinary hospital or university environment. Required Certifications: – Certification or eligibility as a California Registered Animal Health Technician.

POSITION SUMMARY

Performs a variety of technical and clerical functions that include the procurement and processing of laboratory specimens and perform venipuncture using laboratory established procedures effectively and providing clerical support in the Clinical and Anatomic Pathology areas.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Answers and handles or screens and transfers all telephone calls,
• Appropriately uses venipunctures and finger stick/heel stick procedures on infants and Children.
• Using standardized venipuncture technique, obtains specimens from designated patients accurately and efficiently (appropriately for different age groups).
• Assists in the procurement of other clinical specimens including bone marrow and other procedures as required.
• Contributes to a safe, organized, and efficient workplace by complying with established hospital and departmental policies.
• Contributes to accurate and timely diagnosis and treatment of patients of all ages by accurately performing patient identification (i.e., 2 patient identification), by using patient name and date of birth skillfully collecting properly prepared specimens, labeling all specimen in patient room and submitting accurate, complete paperwork for clinical assay.
• Contributes to accurate and timely testing by processing specimens according to laboratory procedures.
• Contributes to timely patient care by investigating and resolving discrepancies and communicating findings to appropriate personnel.
• Cooperate with other lab personnel and hospital personnel for efficient reporting of lab results.
• Discards specimen after test or stores for future reference as appropriate.
• Draw blood from in and out patients and ER patients when needed.
• Ensures professional development by assuming responsibility and accountability for current competency and credentialing files.
• Follows clerical problems associated with test requests and reports.
• Follows strict principles of asepsis and antisepsis in performance of duties.
• Fosters continuous improvement in the quality of patient care by actively evaluating current work systems and suggesting or supporting positive changes.
• Greets and assists all patients and visitors by politely and efficiently obtaining appropriate information and/or required paperwork.
• Have knowledge and perform some clerical functions in the laboratory office.
• Help with phone and verbal communication with hospital personnel.
• Orders, receives, stores, and distributes supplies and keeps the work areas stocked and cleaned.
• Performs clerical duties and projects as requested.
• Performs other job-related duties by accepting delegated assignments.
• Performs patient responsibilities considering needs specific to the standard of care for patient’s care.
• Processes incoming and outgoing test results, outpatient appointments and all other requests for laboratory services.
• Promotes an atmosphere of professionalism and cooperation by interacting with others in a calm, courteous, and helpful manner.
• Promotes excellent customer relations through clear communication, active listening, caring, and demonstrating supportive interaction.
• Properly labels and prepares specimens for distribution to various sections of the laboratory or for sending out to outside testing facilities, i.e., centrifuging, aliquoting and freezing.
• Responsible for understanding and participating in the organization-wide departmental and interdepartmental quality control Quality Improvement Program through orientation, education, improvement and quality planning activities.

Job Requirements Education Minimum (Required) High School diploma or equivalent Preferred (Not required) Two years of college with a major in biological sciences, chemistry or equivalent preferred. Work Experience Preferred (Not required) A minimum of one year experience working in a clinical laboratory or anatomic pathology lab preferred. Licenses and Certifications Minimum (Required) • California Phlebotomy Certification – CPTI or CPTII required. • Must successfully complete and maintain BLS certification. Pay Transparency The hourly rate range for this position is $23.69 – $30.95. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California Arcadia Hospital considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, State, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.
REQ20162775 Posted Date: 05/15/2025

Assists the Clinical Laboratory Scientist by performing routine specimen processing and analysis under direct supervision. The Technician may perform routine automated analysis, instrument checks, calibration, maintenance and quality control; under the direct supervision of a Licensed Clinical Laboratory Scientist on duty. Duties of Laboratory Technicians also involve clerical functions such as answering telephone inquires and communicating with outside clients as well as reference laboratories utilized by the hospital.

Minimum Education:
• AA degree having completed 60 semester units of clinical courses in addition to 6 month externship

Minimum Experience/Knowledge:
• MLT’s are required to complete 24 units of continuing education biannually and pay licensing fees to CDPH, pursuant to CCR, Title 17, section 1032.5 and BPC section 1260.3.

Required License/Certification:
• A valid state license for MLT

As part of Keck Medicine of USC, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital is the only community hospital in the Foothills area of Los Angeles backed by an academic medical center. With its 40-year legacy of personalized care from expert physicians, experienced nurses and a dedicated staff the community has come to know and trust, USC–VHH brings patients the latest medical advancements and 24/7 emergency services. Join this world-class team providing highly-specialized care, up-to-the-minute research and innovative clinical trials.

The hourly rate range for this position is $25.00 to $40.00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.