About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world. 

Job Summary

The Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) Associate Laboratory Instructor in the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences will support the delivery of laboratory instruction and animal care procedures in both large and small animal settings. Under the guidance of senior faculty or program instructors, the Associate Laboratory Instructor will assist with teaching clinical veterinary nursing and husbandry skills, and maintain a safe and effective learning environment. Provide subject matter expertise in a support role and help meet course objectives through active instructional assistance and technical oversight.

Essential Functions

• Instruct and support students in all assigned classroom and laboratory activities to ensure a safe and effective learning environment.
• Instructor for Intro to Vet Tech Lab, Clinical Nursing I Lab, Large Animal Nursing Lab and support faculty in additional laboratory activities as assigned by veterinary technology program director.
• Keep students informed and updated concerning course content, requirements, evaluation procedures and attendance requirements.
• Ensure each program/class contains essential curricular components as designed by the program Instructor, has appropriate content and pedagogy, and maintains currency. Maintains a high level of expertise in the subjects taught and stimulates enthusiasm for those subjects.
• Evaluate students to measure their progress toward the achievement of course outcomes/competencies.
• Independently observe, record, and report atypical findings of the environment and conduct maintenance activities of animal health or behavior. These observations are to include but are not limited to sick animals, maintenance problems, safety hazards, mistreatment or inappropriate treatment of animals.
• Maintain American Veterinary Medical Association CVTEA, Environmental Health & Safety and IACUC compliance for all laboratory classrooms.
• Maintain accurate veterinary medical records.
• Maintain up-to-date instructional materials and equipment, preparing labs and maintaining inventories for classroom use.
• Participate in educational training programs for Animal Care staff.
• Provide guidance and oversight to student employees, interns, CVT’s and lab assistants.
• SCNAVTA advisor on the UMass Amherst campus, assist in bridging campuses and fostering community between both campuses.
• Assist with New Student Orientation and academic advising.

Other Functions

• Oversee and assist as needed in animal care in laboratory setting.
• Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness.
• Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Certified Veterinary Technician with current certification in Massachusetts.
• Bachelor's degree plus four (4) or more years of relevant experience -OR- an Associate’s degree plus six (6) or more years of relevant experience.  
• Graduate of an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. 
• Instructional experience in Veterinary Technology classroom setting.
• Knowledge and ability to instruct animal anatomy and physiology including dissection and specimen preservation.
• Ability to provide care for animals in a safe and sanitary manner, using the necessary equipment and under the established institutional operating procedures.
• Ability to handle, restrain, and perform veterinary nursing procedures on companion animals, livestock, and equine animals without injuring the animals or endangering oneself or others.
• Knowledge concerning personal hygiene and personal safety with regard to hazardous substances; to be aware of proper institutional sanitation procedures, handling of equipment and chemicals used to clean, disinfect, and sterilize.
• Ability to functionally supervise lab assistants, students and interns effectively and to schedule the workload in an efficient and productive manner.
• Proficiency with electronic medical record keeping and Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of IACUC standards and assist with laboratory compliance.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• 6+ years of experience in Veterinary clinical setting.
• Ability to restrain, and perform as well as instruct veterinary nursing duties on companion animals, cattle, horses, sheep, goats, chickens.
• Familiarity with AVMA CVTEA accreditation standards and essential skill monitoring.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Ability to bend, stoop and lift and/or carry heavy objects weighing up to fifty (50) pounds, unassisted.
• Good physical stamina.

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m - 4:30 p.m.

Salary Information

Level 26

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. 

At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. You can find these values and goals here: https://www.umass.edu/strategicplan/strategic-plan.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.