Position Information

Position Title
Animal Care Technician

Position Type
Limited-Term (Renewable)

Job Number
SA83824

Full or Part Time
part-time 0-19 hours weekly

Fair Labor Standard Act Classification
Non-Exempt

Anticipated Pay Range
$20.00 - $24.00

Position Summary Information

Job Description Summary
This position is a part-time appointment that will be integral to facilitating research activities at Chapman University that utilize animal models. Under the direction of the Vivarium Supervisor, responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the daily husbandry care of small laboratory animals, including monitoring and reporting animal health status, providing feed and water, changing cages, environmental monitoring, documenting animal room activities, and sanitizing assigned animal holding rooms and support areas in accordance with SOPs, and other duties as required. This position is located on the Rinker Campus and requires weekend and holiday availability.

Responsibilities

Animal Welfare Assessments and Husbandry Care

• Perform daily animal welfare checks, and report abnormalities to the veterinary staff or investigator staff for disposition
• Perform routine husbandry including changing cages at scheduled intervals, and provide appropriate feed, water, and enrichment
• Document daily animal husbandry activities in a computerized database system
• Prepare and stock animal rooms with feed, water and other supplies as directed, and for coverage on days off
• Assure that the appropriate cage cards are in place and count animals based upon protocol, project, cage card, or other parameters for regulatory and billing purposes
• Follow biosecurity practices to minimize cross contamination
• Perform duties in accordance with the Animal Care and Use Program Handbook and Vivarium SOPs
• Provide feedback for maintenance of SOPs

Facility/Room Sanitation

• Sanitize animals holding room and assigned support areas
• Use appropriate disinfectants and cleaning agents to disinfect and sanitize in and around animal holding areas and prior to receipt of animals on a scheduled basis
• Work with sterilized equipment taking precautions to avoid cross contamination

Record Keeping

• Perform room environmental checks daily including recording temperature and humidity, overall room condition, and room sanitation
• Maintain appropriate feed and inventory logs to track regular usage and to assure feed is used within the appropriate amount of time to ensure freshness
• Complete records as needed for various assurances to animal welfare agencies, including the IACUC

Communication and Training

• Communicates animal care issues to Vivarium Manager, co-workers, investigator, and investigator staff
• Participates in training sessions, attends scheduled staff meetings and continuing education activities

Required Qualifications

• Animal handling required. Must be willing to work with rodents, fish, and birds.
• Must be comfortable working with animals in a research setting.
• Must be willing to work weekends.
• Must be willing to work certain holidays on a rotational basis.
• Ability to maintain detailed and accurate daily record keeping.

Desired Qualifications

• Working knowledge of applicable policies, guidelines, and regulations.
• Working knowledge of laws and regulations that govern the housing and management of laboratory animals.
• Knowledge or background with veterinary treatments and administrations.
• Experience in a laboratory animal setting.
• ALAT preferred.