Animal Facility Assistant (Research Animal Resources)
We are seeking an Animal Facility Assistant who will be an important member of the research team in providing the highest standards of animal care, welfare, and technical assistance in support of research initiatives. Works independently in tasks that are routine yet complex. Conducts work in accordance with several policies including the USDA Animal Welfare Act, the ILAR Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, the Johns Hopkins University and the Animal Care and Use Committee policies, and the standard operating procedures for the animal facility. Performs sanitation, husbandry and all support functions required for the humane care of a wide variety of laboratory animal species including rodents, rabbits, birds, frogs.
***This is a Bargaining Unit position. All newly hired employees in Bargaining Unit positions shall be considered "probationary" employees until completion of 90 calendar days of employment. The university will notify the employees' union.***
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
- Perform all the tasks of the Animal Cage Washer as needed.
- Clean, sanitize and sterilize animal cages, feeders, water bottles, animal rooms, support space and related equipment.
- Fill animal feeders, bowls and water bottles or other containers with the appropriate types and amounts of food and drinking water in accordance with schedules and detailed instructions.
- Use aseptic technique and disease prevention principles in a Class I or Class II biological safety cabinet. Remove animals from soiled cages and transfers them to clean, sterilized cages in accordance with schedules and detailed instructions.
- Work under isolation conditions using specialized caging units such as micro-isolation cages and individually ventilated cage systems while adhering to aseptic techniques and disease prevention principles.
- Place bedding, feed, water bottles, etc. into assembled, sanitized cages.
- Observe and report to supervisor signs of animal injuries, illness or irregularities in appearance, health and environment such as abnormal food consumption, death, abnormal stool or unusual behavior.
- Assist in providing routine treatments as instructed including procedures such as ear mite medication, clipping overgrown teeth, etc.
- Perform euthanasia following detailed training and instructions.
- Receive and process incoming animals and materials. Assist in examining incoming animals for compliance with specifications, rejecting unsuitable animals and referring questionable cases to the supervisor.
- Assist in maintaining colonies of genetically altered rodents and may be required to perform data collection.
- Maintain accurate records of the numbers and types of animals cared for and the animal's food and water consumption.
- Calculate the animal census.
- Maintain detailed records of animal room environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, lighting and other environmental controls and report deviations to the supervisor. Note this information on the room environment log sheet.
- Maintain adequate stock of feed, bedding and other supplies.
- Report to supervisor the need for repairs to cages and support equipment.
- Perform preventive maintenance and minor repairs on automated watering systems, individually ventilated cage systems and other support equipment. Adjust and repair automatic drinking devices.
- Lubricate equipment, make minor adjustments and repairs to cages and other equipment and change air filters related to laboratory animal equipment and facilities as needed, using hand tools if required.
- Collect, process and remove waste material. Know and follow appropriate procedure for disposal of animal carcasses, bio-hazardous wastes, etc.
- Observe all safety policies and procedures and use equipment and chemical treatments properly to avoid harming animals, self, others and damaging property.
- Perform tasks that require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, safety shoes, protective clothing and gloves, fume hoods, biological safety cabinets, etc.
- Follow good laboratory practice and good housekeeping procedures in accordance with standard operating procedures, health, safety and environmental policies.
- Maintain equipment and work area in clean and orderly condition. To sanitize their area, reach upper cages or to clean animal racks or shelves.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends and holidays.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of basic animal husbandry and research techniques.
- Knowledge of basic scientific terminology, basic conversion calculations and basic measuring devices.
- Knowledge of principles of asepsis, disease control and prevention, barrier and isolation animal housing.
- Knowledge of general breeding and mating systems.
- Knowledge of current regulations, policies and principles for the care and use of laboratory animals.
- Ability to handle, restrain and determine the sex of laboratory animals without causing injury or harm to animal, self, and others.
- Ability to understand and follow detailed oral and written instructions.
- Ability to read and write in order to maintain records, read instructions, labels, etc.
- Ability to interact and work with faculty, students, staff, and visitors in a knowledgeable, respectful and courteous manner.
- Ability to discuss animal related projects with investigators and report these discussions to the supervisor.
- Ability to work under environmental conditions that require the use of safety equipment.
- Ability to lift, carry or otherwise move and position objects and materials weighing up to 50 lbs.
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma or graduation equivalent preferred.
- One (1) year of laboratory animal care or related experience preferred.
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