In this course, students will further explore exotic and lab animal medicine theory after they have attended and successfully completed VTEC 2345. Students develop practical knowledge of the principles and techniques of housing and husbandry needs of common exotic pets and laboratory animal species. Through lecture, students will solidify the skills learned onsite on how to handle, determine the sex of, medicate, anesthetize, and restrain common exotic and lab animal species for clinical procedures.

Open Learning Faculty Members are teaching staff in the Open Learning division of TRU, and the role of the Open Learning Faculty Member is to actively encourage, support and guide students toward success in their academic studies. Open Learning Faculty Members must be skilled in teaching, fully knowledgeable of the subject matter and demonstrate a positive, open and caring attitude in all interaction with students.

Responsibilities of the Open Learning Faculty Member (Online) include but are not limited to:

• Delivering Courses in the Online Modality by actively facilitating learning for students in paced, cohort courses with specific start and end dates
• Providing instruction based on established core course materials
• Adding any necessary additional course material
• Updating course material as per the collective agreement
• Initiating, leading and managing learning activities and discussions
• Administrative set up and record keeping
• Initiating and maintaining regular contact with the student as specified in the collective agreement
• Marking all assignments, posting results and providing prompt feedback
• Marking exams and posting results
• Responding to student queries as per the collective agreement

We anticipate 25 students in this course per year. These numbers are only estimates and actual numbers for the course may be greater or less than the estimated numbers.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Be a Registered Veterinary Technologist with a RLAT or RMLAT preferred currently working in a veterinary hospital/clinic/research or academia with a working hospital.
• Member of CALAS, proof of certification required
• Avian Fear Free certification preferred, and proof of low stress handling encouraged.
• Understanding of research, wildlife and exotic facility and husbandry requirements
• Familiar with CCAC standards and practices
• Proficiency in SOP and AUP creation
• Applicants must be familiar with VTEC 2345 and be proficient in handling all practical skills associated with the course content
• Have a minimum of 5 years post-graduate veterinary clinical or research experience
• Have continuing education within the past year on the subject matter of animal welfare
• Current “in good standing” membership in relevant provincial professional association and regulatory body.
• Demonstrated ability to teach at the post-secondary level through a variety of modes, with emphasis on facilitated, web-based instruction and learner support.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate student learning, and to utilize evaluation results for ongoing course improvements.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative and consultative manner, including inter-professional teams.
• Exemplary communication skills (written, oral and electronic).
• Must have high speed internet and own equipment to perform online teaching duties.

The Open Learning Faculty Member must:

• Be knowledgeable and experienced in the subject matter of the course
• Have received training or have successful experience in the active facilitation of learning in a collaborative online environment
• Have direct experience working with current educational technologies, tools and Learning Management Systems
• Have demonstrated knowledge of effective pedagogy in the use of current educational technology and tools
• Have demonstrated skills and abilities in the delivery of flexible learning materials, the application of instructional technology and in the application of adult learning principles

The pay for Open Learning Faculty Members varies based on several factors including the number of students in the course, the type of work, the type of course and the number of assessments completed by students in the course. The total pay includes amounts based on hourly rates as well as set dollar amounts for certain types of work. For more information, please refer to the TRU/TRUOLFA Collective Agreement:https://truolfa.ca/assets/documents/Collective Agreement-2022-2025- TRU-TRUOLFA.pdf