Clinical Skills Laboratory Manager- AZ - College of Veterinary Medicine

Summary

The Clinical Skills Laboratory Manager is a key educational support role within the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), responsible for developing, managing, and instructing within the college's clinical skills and techniques laboratory. This position ensures smooth operations of the lab while directly contributing to the teaching, coaching, and evaluation of foundational clinical competencies across species. This role supports veterinary students-particularly in their preclinical years-by providing hands-on instruction and structured practice opportunities aligned with the college's Competency-Based Veterinary Education (CBVE) model and AVMA COE standards.

In addition to laboratory management, this position plays an active role in facilitating student learning, including direct teaching of essential veterinary technician and clinical skills, reinforcing proper technique, providing individualized coaching, and assisting faculty with assessment of student performance. This individual must be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and capable of working with minimal supervision. A passion for student success, exceptional communication skills, and a broad background in veterinary medicine are essential.

This position reports to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and is a full-time, day-shift position with occasional flexible hours based on student or clinical needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (80%)

• Serve as a hands-on instructor and coach to veterinary students in clinical skills labs, including live animal, model-based, and cadaveric labs.
• Assist faculty with the design and delivery of structured clinical skills session across species.
• Attend educational workshops that support the development and implementation of clinical skills education.
• Assist faculty and students in educational research projects
• Reinforce correct technique and aseptic protocols while promoting student confidence and clinical reasoning.
• Assist in development and implementation of student assessments, including performance checklists and skills tracking systems.
• Support CBVE-aligned teaching by maintaining consistent teaching standards and documentation of student progression.
• Prepare, calibrate, and maintain lab equipment and instructional models.
• Manage inventory, purchasing, and maintenance of clinical teaching materials and supplies.
• Ensure safe and effective use of all laboratory equipment and teaching animals, maintaining compliance with institutional and IACUC policies.
• Coordinate lab scheduling in collaboration with faculty and curriculum leadership.
• Provide real-time feedback to students and assist with remediation planning when skill gaps are identified.
• Contribute to faculty development by sharing best practices in lab setup and student instruction.
• Data collection and reporting: tracking lab usage, reporting equipment performance, and identifying areas for improvement

Additional Duties and Responsibilities - Clinical Technician Functions (20%)

• Provide direct support to faculty and students in the delivery of patient care in compliance with all applicable statutory regulations.
• Assist with patient handling, restraint, and positioning during clinical procedures and
• Set up and maintain surgical and treatment areas, ensuring proper aseptic technique and workflow efficiency.
• Support anesthesia induction, monitoring, and recovery processes under veterinary supervision.
• Assist with and prepare for surgical procedures, including patient prep and instrumentation.
• Perform or guide students in essential veterinary technician tasks such as venipuncture, IV catheter placement, bandage application, radiography, sample collection, and basic wound management.
• Administer medications and fluid therapy as prescribed by a veterinarian.
• Monitor physical and medical conditions of hospitalized animals, including performing pain assessments and communicating concerns to veterinary staff.
• Assist with routine dental procedures and patient oral care.
• Feed, medicate, exercise, and provide basic husbandry for hospitalized or laboratory animals.
• Support infection control by following established protocols when working with animals with potential zoonotic or infectious diseases.
• Maintain appropriate documentation and recordkeeping in paper or electronic medical records and ensure accuracy of documentation.
• Assist in routine diagnostic lab work, such as sample preparation, running routine tests, and submitting specimens.
• Maintain, sterilize, and manage medical and surgical equipment and supplies to ensure functionality and availability.
• Perform and oversee sterilization procedures, including operation of autoclaves and management of instrument packs.
• Ensure clinical spaces remain clean, organized, and stocked, including linen and supply management.
• Follow protocols and guidelines established by off-site facilities when applicable.
• Provide mentorship and instructional support to veterinary students during clinical rotations, laboratory sessions, and hands-on activities.
• Promote a safe, professional, and compassionate environment for patient care and student learning.
• Maintain positive and respectful interactions with all students, staff, faculty, and clients in accordance with customer service and institutional guidelines.
• Participate in teaching rounds, labs, or clinical discussions as requested.
• Perform other duties assigned that align with the technician's expertise and support the clinical or educational mission of the college.
• Must treat all employees, students, and clients with a high level of respect and follow customer service guidelines and protocols.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. This individual must have the ability to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner and must have regular, predictable, in-person attendance. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Other Qualifications

• The position requires strict compliance with all policies and procedures.
• The individual must be able to develop positive rapport effectively with students, peers, and supervisors.
• This position may require some early morning, evening, and occasional weekend hours.
• Excellent organization skills, efficiency, and ability to prioritize order of assigned tasks.
• Must be capable of working in an animal healthcare environment which typically involves sick and injured animals along with animal products and wastes including feces, urine, blood, vomit, and other body fluids.
• Must be willing and able to handle and/or transport deceased animals and animal parts as well as collect and transfer bio-hazardous waste.
• Must treat all facility personnel, employees, students, and volunteers with a high level of respect
• Must exhibit good customer service skills.
• Other duties as assigned.

General Knowledge

• Know the range of services the practice provides and the species it serves.
• Be familiar with a variety of species, including small, large, and exotics.
• Know and follow OSHA standards.
• Know and use standard medical and business abbreviations.
• Use proper medical terminology and spelling when speaking and writing.
• Be familiar with infectious diseases, including their prevention and steps to reduce or eliminate transmission.
• Know the most common zoonotic diseases (infections from animals to humans).

Education and/or Experience

Associate or bachelor's degree required, bachelor's degree strongly preferred. Must have 2-3 years of clinic office management or lab operations management experience with at least 5+ years of experience as a Veterinary Technician. CVT certification from the State of Arizona is strongly desired. Experience working in an academic setting is preferred. Previous supervisory experience is preferred. This position requires working in a team environment with a high focus on student success and maintaining a professional demeanor in a fast-paced environment. Detail oriented with the ability to promote a welcoming atmosphere is essential. The ability to speak Spanish will be considered an asset.

Computer Skills

The individual must have the ability to learn the String Soft Veterinary management system, several of Midwestern University platforms, and have proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand or sit for long periods. The employee must regularly use hands to handle or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to stand and walk. Have the physical strength and ability to stand for long periods and be able to regularly lift objects weighing up to 40 pounds.

Animal allergies statement: No inhibiting allergies to animals, hay, or dust.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides graduate and post-graduate education in the health sciences. The University has two campuses, one in Downers Grove, Illinois and the other in Glendale, Arizona. More than 6,000 full-time students are enrolled in graduate programs in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nurse anesthesia, cardiovascular perfusion, podiatry, optometry, clinical psychology, speech language pathology, biomedical sciences and veterinary medicine. Over 500 full-time faculty members and 400 staff members are dedicated to the education and development of our students in an environment that encourages learning, respect for all members of the health care team, service, interdisciplinary scholarly activity, and personal growth.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans as well as life insurance, short/long term disability and pet insurance. We offer flexible spending accounts including healthcare reimbursement and child/dependent care account. We offer a work life balance with competitive time off package including paid holiday's, sick/flex days, personal days and vacation days. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, child care subsidy reimbursement program, identity theft protection and an employee assistance program. Wellness is important to us and we offer a wellness facility on-site with a fully equipped fitness facility.

Midwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not discriminate against an employee or applicant based upon race; color; religion; creed; national origin or ancestry; ethnicity; sex (including pregnancy); gender (including gender expressions, gender identity; and sexual orientation); marital status; age; disability; citizenship; past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services; genetic information; or any other protected class, in accord with all federal, state and local laws, and regulation. Midwestern University complies with the Smoke-Free Arizona Act (A.R.S. 36-601.01) and the Smoke Free Illinois Act (410 ILCS 82/). Midwestern University complies with the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 and Arizona Equal Pay Acts.