Darlene Potterton

Detail oriented Veterinary Technician with 20 years of experience. I have extensive knowledge of a variety of species- mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, birds, cats, dogs, pigs and non-human primates including their anatomy, health, abnormal and normal behavioral characteristics, nutritional, environmental and housing needs, recognition of deviations Proven ability to handle and restrain various species Proficient with identification methods including ear notching, tagging Collection of diagnostic samples and specimens such as blood, urine, feces and tissue Preparation and administration of medications, substance administration including oral gavage Perform skilled injection techniques, IM, IP, SQ, IV in various species Catheter placements in the femoral vein, carotid artery, saphenous, cephalic, ear vein in pigs and rabbits Providing surgical assistance and anesthetic monitoring Maintaining controlled drug logs and animal health records. Ability to follow basic quarantine principles, biohazard containment, sterile environment in barrier facility and step-down conventional facility.

• PMI Lab Diet Technician of the Year Award-CALAS, 06/2020
• Chicken Behaviour and Welfare Course – Received certificate of completion through University of Edinburgh, 06/2016
• RLAT Certification-CALAS, 04/2010
• NIAUT Certificate National Institutional Animal Users Training, CCAC University of Ottawa, ON, Fall 2007
• Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation Skills Certificate, International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, 11/2005
• Received W.A. Osborne Award for “Compassion to Animals” (SLC 2005)

• Queen’s University, Kingston ON, 05/2008, present, Animal Care Technician, Daily health monitoring of animals within the NHP facility, preparing and administering medications, environmental enrichment, husbandry, diet preparation Maintaining the cleanliness of animal holding areas, procedure room, diet kitchen and necropsy suite Cleaning and sterilizing cages and accessories Orchestrating the movement of animals within the facility Quarantining of new animals Assisting in the General Surgical Skills teaching labs including intubation, catheter placement, anaesthetic monitoring, and tissue harvest in pigs. Providing technical services to principal investigators as needed including gavage/oral dosing in mice, surgical assistance, anaesthetic monitoring, sample collection in rabbits, pigs & NHP’s. Spinning, aliquoting and running of blood samples using the centrifuge, CBC and Vetscan machines. Maintaining animal records Contributing to SOP development Training of new staff
• University of Ottawa Heart Institute-Civic Campus, Ottawa ON, 05/2006, 04/2008, Research Technician, Health monitoring of animal colonies and colony maintenance (mice, rats, rabbits, dogs and pigs) Providing surgical assistance including pre and post op treatments Humane anaesthesia Assisting students with their research Teaching restraints and skilled injection techniques to students Autoclaving and sterilization of surgical instruments Maintenance of controlled drug logs Ordering medical and nutritional supplies Setup of equipment for daily labs such as ultrasound and PET imaging, C-arm, X-rays and anaesthetic machine
• Alta Vista Animal Hospital, Ottawa ON, 05/2006, 05/2007, Registered Veterinary Technician –Emergency, Assessing and stabilizing critical patients Basic laboratory duties including sampling for and performance of diagnostic tests Administering medications Surgical assistance
• Dept. of Psychology Queens University, Kingston ON, 02/2003, 05/2006, Animal Care Technician -Part Time, Monitoring of animal colonies Daily medical treatments Assisting students in their research Cleaning and sterilizing cages and accessories Animal orders Maintaining the cleanliness of the facility
• Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre, Napanee ON, 04/2005, 09/2005, Volunteer Wildlife Rehabilitator, Nursing care of injured and orphaned wildlife Diet preparation Environmental enrichment Cleaning and sterilizing animal housing
• Innes Veterinary Clinic, Ottawa ON, 08/1999, 08/2001, Veterinary Assistant, Reception and maintaining records Ordering medical and nutritional supplies Performing laboratory duties Surgical preparation and anesthetic monitoring
• Metro Toronto Zoo, Toronto ON, 06/1999, 07/1999, Assistant Zookeeper, Animal Health Care Unit, Nursing care of infant mammals Diet preparation Cleaning and sterilizing paddocks Laboratory duties