Career Center

Department Overview

The Department of Comparative Medicine at OHSU supports research efforts by providing essential services for the care and management of research animals across the OHSU Central and Waterfront campuses. This position is responsible for ensuring the seamless and effective acquisition of research animals at OHSU. With a strong emphasis on animal welfare and scientific advancement, this function bridges the gap between Comparative Medicine professionals and researchers.

The primary focus of this role is on animal procurement, which necessitates a thorough awareness of the special standards and regulations governing the acquisition of research animals. The Purchasing Agent will use their experience to find and engage with credible vendors, guaranteeing ethical animal sourcing and procurement to satisfy the unique research needs. The work comprises rigorously evaluating purchase order requests, paying close attention to detail to ensure accurate and timely processing. Furthermore, excellent communication with vendors and researchers is essential, as the purchasing agent acts as a conduit for organizing the seamless delivery and acceptance of purchased animals. The purchasing agent is also responsible for processing and coordinating all animal transfers within the facility.

This position interfaces between all departmental members and members of the OHSU research community. The individual in this role is expected to possess a wide range of skills, including excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. Additionally, strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities are essential, along with exceptional organizational skills. Effective time-management skills are also necessary to ensure the smooth coordination of tasks and responsibilities.

Function/Duties of Position

• Procurement of research animals and related services
  • Evaluation and analysis of submitted orders for accuracy
  • Assistance with determining needed product specifications - e.g., vendor options, product availability, cost estimates and pricing comparisons
  • Ongoing contact with approved vendors to ensure orders are placed, shipped and received accurately and as scheduled
  • Resolution of any shipping or receiving problems including those involving animal health concerns
  • Rescheduling, cancellation or replacement of orders including negotiation of credit requests
  • Order placement via purchasing card and purchase orders
  • Ongoing communication with OHSU management/veterinary/husbandry/facilities/office staff regarding special housing requirements, housing room assignments, animal health concerns, transport coordination, scheduling conflicts, etc.
  • Ongoing communication with animal research integrity office (IACUC) to ensure there are no policy violations or protocol compliance concerns
  • User support for placing animal orders in vivarium software
  • Modify animal orders in vivarium software as needed.
  • Animal delivery schedule printed weekly for distribution to appropriate personnel
  • Responsible for printing cage cards for all animals housed in the DCM facility. Including all new incoming animals, transfers, and new cage card requests.
  • Files maintained containing information pertaining to animal purchases: purchase requests, USDA records and vendor documentation
• Internal animal transfer coordinator
  • Evaluation and analysis of submitted transfers for accuracy, and any needed communication to resolve discrepancies
  • Submission of transfers for approval by DCM veterinary staff
  • Transfer details entered in transfer database
  • Transfer processing in of vivarium software
  • Coordinate and place transport service request if needed in vivarium software
  • Communicate transfer approval via email to all involved parties
  • Reconcile transfer fees in vivarium software

Required Qualifications

Experience:

• 1-year general office experience including
• use of multi-line phone.
• 2 years of full-time purchasing experience which must include using purchasing practices, procedures and techniques such as determining specifications, placing purchase orders and processing requisitions.
• 2 years' experience with Word, and
• database management software

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Effective verbal and writing communication skills. Ability to work independently (self-starter). Ability to listen and follow oral and written instructions. Ability to establish and
• maintain effective working relationships with others (team player). Ability to work overtime. Knowledge of federal, state and
• local regulations pertaining to laboratory
• animals, i.e.: The United States Department of Agriculture Animal Welfare Act and the National Institute of Health "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

  Knowledge & understanding of animal health, husbandry, behavior, the spread and control of disease, sanitation processes, aseptic techniques and environmental changes that affect laboratory animals.

  Knowledge of common breeding schemes for outbred and inbred rodents.

  Knowledge of common strains of rodents and their standard nomenclature. Skill in performing basic arithmetical calculations. Skill in keeping accurate records.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• AA Degree in Business.

Experience:

• Experience with Oracle AIS.

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Experience as a technician in a laboratory animal facility.

All are welcome