Data Analysis Training Specialist

MELISSA A. ALVAREZ

Odenton, MD 202-***-**** ************@*****.***

Dedicated and compassionate Training Specialist and Veterinary Technician with 13 years of expertise in anesthesia, surgery and pathology in animals. Proven history of building strong rapport with owners to provide seamless care and foster exceptional service. Displays an innate ability to understand the needs of non-human primates coupled with a knowledge of GLP. Critical thinker with strong knowledge of animal behavior. Thrives in fast-paced and deadline driven environments with the ability to handle stressful situations and make informed decisions.

Core Competencies

Blood Draws

Animal Anesthesia & Euthanasia

Injections

Medical Administration

Non-Human Primates (NHP)

Rodents (Mice and Rats)

Spinning Blood for Plasma/Serum Collection

Facility Training

Verbal & Written Communication

Training In Cage Wash, Husbandry, Medical Treatments & Surgery

Multi-Tasker

Detail Oriented

Animal Tissue Harvesting & Processing

Western Blots

Cell Culturing & Counting

Performing CBCs on Blood

Medical Terminology

Surgery Assistance

Animal Handling

Data Analysis

Reporting

Complex Problem Solving

Teamwork

Collaboration

Analytical

Highlights & Accomplishments

Commended by management for dedication, reliability, compassion and empathy.

Recognized for being a solid performer displaying exceptional work ethic and professionalism resulting in promotions.

Winner of NCAB’s Tech Talk, 2023.

Recipient of The Employee of the Quarter, 2023.

Applauded for training expertise and provided training for entire staff and introduced training models.

Professional Experience

PRIORITY ONE SERVICES Bethesda, MD 02/2022 – Present

Training Coordinator, Central Animal Facility

Plan and schedule training for a staff of 114 divided between 6 sections of the Central Animal Facility.

Provide training for staff in small animals, large animals including NHPs both old world and new world, and swine, prepping NHP for surgery including intubation, IV catheter placements, blood draws, and daily animal treatments, Aquatics, Institution Specific Techs and Facility Support (cage wash).

Conduct weekly SOP training in each section and monthly safety training.

Boost morale and confidence by overseeing new employee safety orientation and working with each hire to confirm preparedness for section sign off and capability of working independently.

Key Achievements

Improve communication by creating PowerPoint presentations for staff, monthly newsletter for facility and presenting a Compassion Fatigue presentation.

Utilize the Replacement R of the 3R’s with training models.

Organize Back to Basics, a monthly complete facility training which attracts outside speakers.

HENRY JACKSON FOUNDATION Bethesda, MD 03/2017 – 02/2022

Veterinary Technician / Lab Assistant

Studied and applied the effects of radiation focused on defending and protecting the military.

Participated in animal tissue/organ harvesting including intra cardiac blood collection, spleen, bone marrow, lung, liver, process tissue/organs for Western Blots, executed tests, analyzed data and report findings.

Completed BCA assays, collected serum and plasma from blood samples; conduct cell culturing and extracted RNA.

Increased consistency by revising SOPs for GLP practices.

Created efficiencies by placing laboratory supply orders and tracking annual budget.

Key Achievements

Recognized for making contributions to the creation of an approved IACUC protocol for an NHP irradiation project.

Helped design a specific NHP restraint chair.

Created, developed, and delivered a presentation on Compassion Fatigue.

MELISSA A. ALVAREZ Page 2

Odenton, MD 202-***-**** ************@*****.***

PRIORIY ONE SERVICES Bethesda, MD

Veterinary Technologist IV

Demonstrated proficiencies in providing care and treatment of housed animals in a rodent facility.

Conducted preventative, diagnostic, and clinical care of laboratory rodents including treatment services.

03/2013 –03/2017

Reviewed clinical records for sick and injured animals, and ensued the following of veterinarian instructions.

Coached and mentored the technical staff.

Oversaw the Rodent QA program including diagnostic scheduling of test requests and sample collections.

Displayed organizational expertise by maintaining pharmacy and surgical supplies, preparing and receiving animals for national/international shipping and scheduling and chairing weekly group technical meetings.

Observed the research and technical staffs and provided training to ensure the use of appropriate bio methodologies including rodent handling/restraint, euthanasia, blood collections, and miscellaneous technical procedures such as ear tagging, ear punching, tattooing, and tail clips.

Key Achievements

Facilitated weekly classes to prepare for the AALAS certification test.

Animal Health Technician 03/2013 – 12/2015

Maintained detailed records and for performed lab techniques on non-human primates, pigs, rodents including mice, rats, and ground squirrels and rabbits.

Served as a key member of the team of institute technicians (NIMH) that completed daily treatments/triaging including prepping for surgery, monitoring anesthesia, emergency surgery, and enrichment.

Cared for NHPs by conducting TB testing, physicals, receiving of animals, ICU care, cleaned head chambers and implants, chaired primates in preparation of cleaning, and suturing.

Treated rodents by sentinel monitoring, euthanasia and informing PI of sick animals, rabbits by conducting intra-cardiac euthanasia and monthly physicals and pigs by prepping for surgery, induction, placing catheters, intubation, monitoring anesthesia and recovery.

Prepped NHP for surgery including induction, placing catheters, intubation, monitoring anesthesia, recovery, and by performing PET scans.

Completed blood work by drawing blood, running chemistries, CBC, PCV, total proteins, and operating iSTAT machines.

Increased safety by performing daily maintenance of rooms, machines, and instruments.

Key Achievements

Recognized by management for exceptional performance resulting in promotion to Training Coordinator for entire facility.

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA Philadelphia PA 07/2011 – 07/2012

Senior Veterinary Technician

Supported the University’s Research Center by treating rodents, companion animals, livestock, marsupials and non-human primates housed in eight vivariums across campus.

Calculated doses and administered topical/oral medications and injections, completed ear cleanings, nail trimmings, teeth trimmings, blood draws, and bacterial culture swabs, removed ear tags and managed emergency situations.

Provided post-operative animal care including assessing vitals, blood draws, catheter insertions, administering medications, and wound cleansing.

Observed, assessed and documented animal conditions in campus systems during the triage phase.

Education

Associate of Science in Animal Sciences, Camden County Community College, Blackwood, NJ

Certifications & Licenses

Compassion Fatigue Certified, 2023

Laboratory Animal Technologist (RLATg), 2012

Licensed Veterinarian Technician (LVT), 2012

Training

Safe Capture International Completion, 2018

Technical Skills

Microsoft Office Suite, Image J

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