Transpharmation is a dynamic preclinical contract research organization that specializes in high-quality, translational drug discovery services. The company provides a friendly and team-oriented work atmosphere as well as competitive wages and benefits.

The Companion Animal (CAD) Manager will assist the VP of Fergus with department specific facility operations, supervision of Study Coordinators, Research Technicians and scheduling of personnel within the Companion Animal Department. They will have the capabilities of performing and assisting in all assigned CAD facility tasks. They will demonstrate a clear understanding of the objectives of the study and will understand the study ramifications of variations to the protocol design.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Key Activities

• Assist in management of Transpharmation Canada Research Facility operations

• Understanding the nature of studies being conducted

• Responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of test and trial results

• Inform Vice President- Fergus of issues or concerns

• Assist in hiring individuals deemed to be appropriate to the positions available based on TPC standards and policies

• Assuming functions of various personnel as dictated by staffing requirements for individual studies and training.

• Involved in matters pertaining to human resources including performance reviews, corrective actions, accident reports, hiring for staff in collaboration with HR.

• Assist in the training and maintenance of training of staff.

• Scheduling appropriately trained personnel for tasks in the Companion Animal Department.

• Policy development: responsible for policy development, policy review and the creation of standard operating procedures pertaining to Companion Animal department.

• Perform specialized procedures such as:

  • General techniques (i.e. operate centrifuges, perform advance blood separation, restrain animals for procedures as needed)
  • Basic Procedures (i.e. drug administration, canine blood collection, fecal collection)
  • Advance Procedures (i.e. Venus catheter placement, QMR, Sedation, blood pressure, anesthetic monitoring and recovery, body condition scoring, euthanasia, anesthesia, dentistry, canine CSF collection)
  • Cognitive testing (DNMP, discrimination, pre-training, egocentric, spatial discrimination, landmark, etc.)
  • Basic and advanced behavioral/Activity testing (i.e. Testing, video scoring, Actical, QOL questionnaire scoring, Ethovision, anxiety scoring)
  • Data management
  • Other duties as deemed necessary.

INTERACTION

This position requires supervision of Study Coordinators, Research Technicians Levels I-III and Contract Employees. It also requires regular interaction with Scientific Directors, Operations Management, Human Resources, Business Development and Finance Department. The CAD Manager will be required on site a minimum of 3 days per week in coordination with the VP of Fergus and ROD Manager, one day must overlap so all parties are on site together.

• AWARENESS

The CAD Manager will be responsible for identifying and reporting possible sources of error by examining records of data, observing procedures, and/or other applicable methods consistent with company policies. They will proactively and retroactively recognize, prevent and manage any potential hazards or circumstances related to duties or the company in general.

• COMMUNICATION

Communications will be with all personnel. Verbal communication is required to provide instructions for work, to coordinate activities, to communicate results and problems, and to participate in the planning and scheduling of work, resource and equipment use.

Written communication is required for all documentation relevant to the management of the facility including accurate and detailed recording of procedures, reporting results and following up on employee reviews. Reading and comprehension of written protocols and manuals is necessary to maintain an understanding of the research procedures and techniques.

• RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WORK OF OTHERS

The CAD Manager will be responsible for the work of their direct reports, to ensure industrially acceptable levels of performance and report concerns regarding other staff to Operations Management and or Human Resources.

• RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CARE OF INDIVIDUALS

They will be responsible for enforcing company policies aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of TPC employees.

• RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL RESOURCES

They will provide suggestions and strategies for improving efficiency of or decreasing potentially unnecessary financial obligations and costs.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• ENVIRONMENT

There will be occasional periods of several hours per day exposed to noxious odours from diagnostic materials and/or samples. There will also be the occasional need to work with chemicals in a controlled environment. The position would also require working with laboratory animals in the Companion Animal facility. There will be occasional periods of several hours per day performing physically repetitive procedures on animals.

• RISK TO HEALTH

There will be the occasional exposure to small quantities of toxic irritant or corrosive chemicals. There will be animal bites and scratches and exposure to zoonotic diseases.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The demands of this position include sitting, standing, or a combination for extended periods of time, repeated physical motions, lifting animals in and out of cages on a regular basis, and carrying liquid containers, boxes weighing up to 20 kg and daily periods of keyboarding.

• PHYSICAL DEXTERITY

Agility, accuracy and consistency will be required with data entry, and to move between locations within and amid facilities effectively. The ability to engage in physical activity is required.

Qualifications

• EDUCATION

• Minimum Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree or equivalent

• Minimum Proficiency of Level RT III

• RLAT Certified

• Current CALAS Member

• Experience

• 3-5 Year’s Experience in a similar role

Knowledge

• Knowledge of research laboratory environment, study procedures and relationships between various laboratory personnel
• Knowledge of procedures for ensuring confidentiality of laboratory and scientific data
• Knowledge of administrative procedures
• Knowledge of scientific rationale of studies
• Knowledge or willingness to acquire knowledge of general management and human resource practices
• Knowledge of occupational health and safety practices
• Knowledge of the basic principles of scientific research
• Knowledge of the principles of safe handling of potentially pathogenic substances and contaminated materials
• Knowledge of cognitive test procedures and rationale, as well as intervening variables including age, husbandry practices, tissue/physiological fluid sampling practices.
• Ability to effectively rationalize and communicate with staff the impact of procedural modifications and procedural interactions.
• Familiar with the following acts and regulations: ISO Guide 17025 (1990), GLP Code of Federal Regulations, CCAC guidelines and policies and the Animals for Research Act.
• Knowledge and understanding of TPC Standard Operating Procedures
• Knowledge of the operation of incubators, freezers, centrifuges, and other laboratory equipment
• Knowledge of Microsoft and other software used by the company

Knowledge of re-occurring study procedures