Job Description

Description of Team/Department (optional):

One of Canada's Top 10 Research Hospitals, Sunnybrook Research Institute is developing innovations in care for the more than 1.3 million patients the hospital cares for annually.




Sunnybrook Research Institute is the research enterprise of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, a teaching hospital fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. Research spans three Toronto-based campuses, eight programs and three scientific platforms. Our main aims are to understand and prevent disease, and to develop treatments that enhance and extend life. Our vision is to invent the future of health care. Each year, we conduct about $100 million in research across 500,000 square feet, including in the world's first Centre for Research in Image-Guided Therapeutics.




The Focused Ultrasound Laboratory at Sunnybrook Research Institute in Toronto, Ontario, is looking for a motivated and serious individual to fill the role of Research Animal Technician. Focused ultrasound is changing how surgery is performed by allowing treatment of tumours and other diseases without ever making an incision. Focused ultrasound was listed as one of the Top 50 Inventions by Time Magazine (Nov 2011), and was presented at TedMed in October 2011. (http://www.ted.com/talks/yoav_medan_ultrasound_surgery_healing_without_cuts.html).

Summary of Duties:

The successful candidate will conduct key task including, but not limited to:


Administration of medications & first aid, take blood, tissue or urine samples Post-mortem tissue sampling or examination Maintenance of anesthetic & operating equipment, general cleaning & sterilization Record keeping of drugs, experimental animal information, and animal use protocols Collection, handling & preparation of samples for shipment or submission for testing Technical Assistance with surgeries/procedures involving animals Preparation of animals & equipment for surgery/procedures, monitor animals through surgery/procedure and post-operative monitoring Meet with scientists/technician to discuss their requirements Must be able to enter an MRI environment. Must be able to lift a minimum of 20kg comfortably

Qualifications:

Animal Health Technician Certificate/Veterinary Technologist Diploma/experience in animal research Prior experience working with both rodents and large animals (e.g. pigs) is an asset This position requires a high level of technical skill, organization and initiative, and a proven ability to work both independently and in a group setting Must have the ability to follow established policies, guidelines, procedures and objectives. In addition, must possess ability to detect, analyze and creatively resolve issues as they arise Excellent record keeping and attention to detail are essential Strong interpersonal skills, communication skills and the ability to interact positively with other team members in a dynamic environment, as well as having compassion and sensitivity for animals * Flexible hours with occasional evening work may be required