Animal Technician

Job Description

Job Summary:

• This individual will perform daily laboratory animal care duties including animal health monitoring, animal husbandry, and routing cleaning and sanitation.
• All work assignments will be performed in accordance with SOP’s and protocol instructions.
• Must maintain and demonstrate positive working relationships with co-workers and customers, be able to work independently to perform tasks, and have regular attendance.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs animal husbandry duties to maintain quality and health of research animals to include daily feed/water/enrichment, and cage or room cleaning as required.
• Maintains focus on animal welfare, reporting all concerns to management and/or others as required.
• Must ensure animal welfare guidelines are met, building, and equipment are maintained accordingly for internal IACUC inspections and maintenance of AAALAC accreditation.
• Conducts all euthanasia as trained according to AVMA guidelines and completes all documentation associated with the task.
• Cleans assigned animal rooms, isolator environments, animal care equipment, and associated animal facility areas daily.
• Ensures facility areas are maintained and kept clean and orderly daily.
• Assists in maintaining and stocking inventory and communicates when items are needed to be ordered.
• Excellent record keeping skills are required.
• Assists with handling and manipulations as per SOP’s and protocols.
• Operates equipment and uses supplies according to safety guidelines, performs general housekeeping, and adheres to safety procedures.
• Able to observe equipment and report any failures.
• Maintains required attendance level and adheres to work schedule in accordance with required staffing levels to ensure that assigned duties are completed.
• Weekend and holiday coverage is required on a rotation basis.
• May be asked to work extended hours occasionally due to workload – Overtime eligible.
• Being prompt to work and attendance are a must.
• Takes the initiative to complete tasks and anticipates upcoming tasks.
• Must realize the importance of non-contamination process and be prepared to adhere strictly to the procedures.
• Must be conscientious, detail-oriented, self-motivated, and able to work alone.
• Ability to maintain good working relationships with others.
• Excellent communication skills both written and oral.

Education:

• AA degree required.

Experience:

• Lab Animal or agricultural experience desired.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Ability to lift 50lbs, roll heavy objects, use ladders, working conditions up to 90 degrees or down to freezing temperatures.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time.
• Must be able to squat, bend, and stoop, as well as twisting and turning.
• Manual dexterity and visual acuity are important.
• Subject to objectionable odors, aerosols, dust, animal dander, and noise.
• Not allowed to own poultry or swine.
• Multiple showers a day may be required for biocontainment; showering includes washing of hair.
• Hair must be able to be completely covered within hairnet for biocontainment purposes.
• Nails must be short in length to perform fine motor tasks and avoid risk of injury to oneself, colleagues, or animals.
• Work requires use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including Tyveks, hairnets, respirator or PAPR, gloves, safety glasses, provided uniforms, and shoes.
• Personal phones and all forms of jewelry are not allowed in the vivarium.