Animal Technician

The Animal Technician is responsible for performing various animal husbandry duties in conventional, immunodeficient and transgenic/knockout rodent colonies. In addition, the Animal Technician will maintain animal rooms, monitor rodent colonies, and perform technical duties which may include medical treatments of rodents with minor injuries, emergency separations, and euthanasia.

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• Changing rodent cages while strictly adhering to established SOPs. Administer special dietary formulations and medicated water to rodents as defined by research protocols
• Maintaining animal rooms and other facility areas in accordance with accepted standards of sanitation. Procedures involved include sweep, vacuum, wash walls, floors, equipment, and shelving according to schedules for these activities
• Monitoring rodent colonies for sick or injured animals up to twice daily. Recording and reporting such findings in accordance with SOP via Manage Tasks and HMR system apps
• Operating and maintaining laboratory animal husbandry equipment including, but not limited to laminar flow work benches, biosafety cabinets/ hoods, ventilated air racks, autoclaves, sterilizers, and cage wash equipment. Reporting malfunctioning equipment immediately to supervisor
• Technical duties may include medical treatments of rodents with minor injuries, emergency separations, and euthanasia
• Proper record keeping including room logs and health monitoring reports (HMR) as required. This will include use of computerized data collections systems and apps for cage census and health monitoring
• Required to document all tasks completed via Manage Tasks, HMRs, Alerts, and Compliance reports as required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of animal care and husbandry, cleaning, independent work, phone/PDA usage
• Ability to work in an independent and organized manner as well as within a team
• Ability to pay attention to detail, communicate effectively to management, taking direction, and learn new tasks
• Ability to perform all duties while strictly adhering to established SOPs
• Basic computer skills for computerized record keeping in accordance with established procedures

MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS: The position prefers a high school diploma or GED. No prior experience is required, but 1 year of experience in a laboratory animal facility or veterinary technician program is preferred. AALAS technician certification at the ALAT level is preferred but not mandatory.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

PATIENT CONTACT: None