Research and Development Service - VA Portland HCS
Research & Development - Veterinary Medical Unit (VMU)
- Training & Orientation
- VMU Forms
- Staff & Services
- Policies
Training and Orientation
Training to refine your technique and results:
The VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) VMU has many training options available to assist you. Please contact Dr. Ky Dehlinger (ky.dehlinger@va.gov, x55032) to arrange training. All courses are free of charge.
New Personnel
Do you need access to the animal facility? If so, go here.
Do you already have access to the animal facility? If so, go here
VMU Orientation for New Personnel
This basic animal use and facility orientation is required for all persons wishing to gain independent access to the Veterinary Medical Unit and/or work in any of the animal rooms. There are multiple steps to the process:
- Flowchart on how to obtain access to the VMU facility. (570KB, PDF)
- Online Training (25KB, MSWord). Click here to obtain instructions on how to complete the online training mandated by the Department of Veterans Affairs. You must retake the course every three years (within 1,095 days of your last test date).
- Guided Facility Tour. Please contact Dr. Ky Dehlinger (ky.dehlinger@va.gov, x55032) to arrange for a tour of the appropriate facility.
- Required Paperwork. Please complete the following forms and return them to Dr. Ky Dehlinger:
- VMU User Assurances (24KB, MSWord)
- Animal Users Information and Competency Form (43KB, MSWord)
Additional Training Opportunities:
Tier 2: Rodent 101
This species-specific handling course covers basic restraint, handling, injection, blood collection, and anesthesia, and, while not currently required, is strongly recommended for all persons working with animals in any capacity, regardless of experience level. This course lasts ~1.5 hours, and is scheduled biweekly.
Tier 3: Surgical Training Series
These advanced courses are designed to provide a training environment for common study-specific techniques and procedures. Courses offered within the last year include mouse and rat perfusion, mouse and rat anatomy, stereotaxic instrument use (Kopf and Stoelting), and Isoflurane vaporizer use. These courses are offered ~monthly, or by request. Topic ideas are greatly appreciated!
Tier 4: Ad-hoc Study Specific Training
These one-on-one assistance sessions are helpful if you need some help with a specific procedure, technique, or model in your study. Assistance is offered ad hoc--please feel free to call or email!
Training Opportunities for Current Personnel
Completion of the following is required for all persons wishing to maintain independent access to the Veterinary Medical Unit and/or work in any of the animal rooms. There are two parts to the training:
- Online Training (29KB, MSWord). Click here to obtain instructions on how to complete the online training mandated by the Department of Veterans Affairs. You must retake the course every three years (within 1,095 days of your last test date).
- Required Paperwork. Please complete the following forms and return them to Dr. Ky Dehlinger (ky.dehlinger@va.gov, x55032):
- Occupational Health and Safety Form - obtain from Dr. Dehlinger
- VMU User Assurances (24KB, MSWord)
Additional Training Opportunities:
Tier 2: Rodent 101
This species-specific handling course covers basic restraint, handling, injection, blood collection, and anesthesia, and, while not currently required, is strongly recommended for all persons working with animals in any capacity, regardless of experience level. This course lasts ~1.5 hours, and is scheduled biweekly.
Tier 3: Surgical Training Series
These advanced courses are designed to provide a training environment for common study-specific techniques and procedures. Courses offered within the last year include mouse and rat perfusion, mouse and rat anatomy, stereotaxic instrument use (Kopf and Stoelting), and Isoflurane vaporizer use. These courses are offered ~monthly, or by request. Topic ideas are greatly appreciated!
Tier 4: Ad-hoc Study Specific Training
These one-on-one assistance sessions are helpful if you need some help with a specific procedure, technique, or model in your study. Assistance is offered ad hoc--please feel free to call or email!
VMU Forms
Forms to assist you in your research:
VMU Animal Housing or Procedure Room Request (33KB, MSWord)
Request additional space for new projects or projects that you are unable to start due to lack of available resources.
VMU Biohazard SOP Survey (36KB, MSWord)
Assist the VMU in developing appropriate standard operating procedures (SOP's) to protect all involved personnel if you are using chemical or biological hazards in your animal study.
Animal Order Form (98KB, PDF)
Order animals from a commercial vendor.
Receiving Rodents from Other Institutions Form (50KB, MSWord)
Request transfer of rodents from another institution (such as Oregon Health & Science University) to the VAPORHCS. See also the Quarantine Policy for new animals.
Sending Rodents to Other Institutions Form (98KB, PDF)
Request transfer of rodents from the VAPORHCS to another institution (such as OHSU).
In-house Transfer Form (113KB, PDF)
Move animals between rooms, accounts, or investigators within the VAPORHCS.
Breeding Colony Monthly Report Form (26KB, MSWord)
Monthly report required of all investigative staff that are breeding animals in the VMU facilities.
VMU Monthly Procedure Order Form (18KB, MSWord)
VMU Daily Procedure Order Form (17KB, MSWord)
Request the services of trained animal health technicians in performing experimental manipulation for you on an hourly basis. Technicians are available to assist with injections, sample collections, data collection, animal monitoring, surgery and other procedures as requested.
Rodent Anesthesia Record - Template (74KB, MSWord)
Surgery and Post-Operative Monitoring Forms
Track surgical procedures, complications, post-operative monitoring, and post-operative analgesia administration. Note that each form has two pages that require down-load.
Full size Surgery and Post-Operative Monitoring Form - Page 1 (55KB, MSWord)
Full size Surgery and Post-Operative Monitoring Form - Page 2 (18KB, Excel)
Staff and Services
Our staff of trained and AALAS-certified technical personnel are available to assist you in your studies.
Available services range from scheduled injections, sample collections, and tail tattooing to genotyping and breeding colony management. Please submit a Technical Services Form (32KB, MSWord) for assistance or contact Dr. Ky Dehlinger at ky.dehlinger@va.gov or at x55032 to schedule a consultation.
Policies
For Rat and Mouse Anesthesia/Analgesia Recommendations please contact Ky Dehlinger, DVM, VMO at ky.dehlinger@va.gov or x55032.
