Position Number: 003957 Department: Div of Research (Adm) Employment Type: Permanent - Full-time Months Per Year: 12 Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The University Attending Veterinarian (AV) reports to the Assistant Vice Chancellor and is responsible for a wide range of services that support the use of laboratory animals in research and teaching. The AV is responsible for adequate veterinary care for laboratory animals and for the general oversight of animal care and use at the University. The AV works closely with the IACUC staff and committee members and participates in developing and implementing policies and procedures assuring the humane treatment and stewardship of animals and maximizing the benefits of animal research to human and animal health. The University Attending Veterinarian is responsible for managing an exemplary program of laboratory animal care and use at UNC Charlotte campus. The AV is responsible for leading the institution’s animal care, maintaining exceptional animal welfare standards, and ensuring rigorous regulatory compliance. The AV oversees a highly specialized team that provides and supports direct animal care, ensuring compliance with regulations. Veterinary Care The AV will provide veterinary care and oversight to ensure the well-being of animals used in research and teaching at UNC Charlotte. This includes Serving as the Attending Veterinarian for UNC Charlotte’s Animal Care and Use Program, ensuring adherence to all relevant veterinary care and research standards. + Coordinating backup veterinary care and technical assistance from Laboratory Animal Resources ( LAR ) staff as needed to ensure continuity of care. + Stay current with emerging trends in animal research, veterinary care, and husbandry practices. Adapt and develop protocols to meet researchers’ evolving needs and animal welfare standards. + Responsible for ensuring that proper veterinary care and husbandry are provided for all vertebrate animals within the University’s LAR facility, with an emphasis on laboratory mice and rats in research and teaching. + Oversee and assist with research using species in field studies and captive settings. · + Conduct clinical rounds on a routine basis to monitor animal health and status. Provide clinical veterinary care. Perform clinical and surgical procedures, necropsies and tissue collection. Supervise, monitor, and/or perform surgery, administer anesthesia, and pre- and post-operative care. · + Review vendor health records, animal orders, assist with imports/exports of lab animals. Participate in Semi-Annual inspections. Maintain appropriate clinical records of specific procedures and animal health ( USDA and Non- USDA ). · + Develop and monitor animal-related research activities, animal health surveillance programs and quarantine programs. Maintain familiarity with trends, issues, and advances in strategic and program planning through periodic review of relevant journals or other literature. · + Assist and advise researchers in humane and proper experimental design and conduct related to animal welfare and veterinary issues. · Provide formal and informal training and consultation for faculty, staff, and students on methods of laboratory animal surgery, aseptic technique, pre-and post-op care, pain management, and euthanasia. Assist with additional training and techniques as needed to meet the needs of PHS Policy, UNC Charlotte’s IACUC , AAALAC accreditation standards, and University policies. · Be available for on-call (off-hours, nights, weekends, and holidays) and rotation (weekends and holidays). Laboratory Animal Operations The AV will oversee the staff and daily operations of the Laboratory Animal Resources, working closely with the Animal Care staff, Animal Care and Use Program Administrator, Facilities Maintenance, Business Office, Environmental Health and Safety Office, Biosafety Officer, and researchers to ensure the proper care, handling, and environmental conditions of all animals. + Provides leadership and strategic direction for the operation and performance of all LAR activities. + Develops and implements the budget in partnership with the Assistant Vice Chancellor. Compliance and Accreditation The AV will proactively maintain and advance regulatory compliance and accreditation, ensuring that the Animal Care and Use Program meets or exceeds required standards. This includes: Overseeing the development and administration of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), training programs, and facility protocols to comply with all animal use regulations. + Led the AAALAC accreditation process, ensuring all documentation and facility standards are maintained while preparing for and facilitating successful accreditation visits. + Coordinating with the IACUC administrative staff to ensure that research protocols meet regulatory and ethical standards, including biosafety, infectious disease control, and safety protocols. + Continuously monitoring compliance with government regulations ( USDA , OLAW , EHS ), enforcing all departmental and University policies, and managing emergency preparedness plans for the Laboratory Animal Resources. + Maintain knowledge of federal and state laws. + Maintain current knowledge of issues in laboratory animal medicine, animal care, and science. + Participate in site visits/audits by external oversight organizations ( AAALAC International, USDA , OLAW , and DEA ). + Setting expectations and providing expert advice and training to principal investigators and laboratory staff to promote understanding and compliance with animal care standards, responding to and addressing any adverse events or unanticipated outcomes. + Serve as a voting member on the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee ( IACUC ) and the Institutional Biosafety Committee ( IBC ), providing expert guidance on animal care and research protocols. · + Assist researchers with protocol development and execution. Conduct veterinary pre-reviews of protocols for IACUC and IBC protocols. Minimum Experience / Education: + Degree in Veterinary Medicine from an AVMA -accredited school with one year of veterinary practice experience. Preferred Education Skills and Experience: + Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with AAALAC standards. + Demonstrated experience with rodents and aquatic species care. + Training and/or experience in laboratory animal medicine + Excellent medical and surgical skills. + Documented experience with rodents (mice and rats)