Lab Animal Tech 1-U, Office of Research

About The Laboratory Animal Medical Services (LAMS)

The Laboratory Animal Medical Services (LAMS) department in the Office of Research at the University of Cincinnati provides husbandry and veterinary care to all vertebrate animals used in research, teaching, and testing.

Job Overview

If you have a passion for caring for animals of all species and a desire to work with a talented team, then you should apply. LAMS is seeking to hire multiple Laboratory Animal Technician 1’s. These positions provide food, water, and basic husbandry care for a variety of animal species; observes animals daily to assess health, change cages, and provides support cleaning and/or sanitizing caging, rooms, and equipment. Someone who is customer service driven, has good communication and organizational skills, is a self-starter, and is effective at troubleshooting and problem solving will thrive in this position. LAMS also has a flexible start time, overtime pay opportunities, and an Upward Mobility program that allows you to be promoted when eligible for the next level with a pay increase.

UNUSUAL WORKING CONDITIONS: Subject to animal bites and diseases; exposure to animal waste, urine, feces, blood, dander (allergens), and odors; exposure to dust, hot water and steam.

Essential Functions

Lab Animal Aide (LAA)-U Essential Functions

• Operate cage washing equipment and autoclaves. Maintain the flow of clean and dirty equipment to ensure the integrity of sanitized and sterilized equipment.
• Maintain corridors, support rooms, and procedures rooms in a clean and orderly fashion.
• Maintain transportation vehicles per SOP’s.
• Prepare cages for receipt of animals.
• May package animal carcasses and inventory supplies and animals.
• Clean animal areas, including cages, research areas, and feed and bedding areas. Disinfect and sanitize animal holding rooms, support rooms, and equipment.
• Maintain and rotate supplies.

Perform duties of Laboratory Animal Aide (LAA) positions plus:

• Maintain sanitation and husbandry programs for a variety of animal species, housing systems, and equipment in accordance with written SOPs. Maintain records on daily log sheets and other forms in accordance with SOPs. Provide basic and special care for cage level barrier housed transgenic and knockout genetically engineered rodents.
• Observe, record, and report on the health status of animals; determine acceptability of an animal to be maintained in university facilities. Receive, properly identify, and transfer animals to holding cages based on written, oral, or picture directions. Monitor environmental conditions for a variety of animal species (temperature, relative humidity, illumination requirements, air flow, etc.) and report out-of-range conditions to Laboratory Animal Medical Services (LAMS) management. Report any facility problems to LAMS management.
• Assist the veterinary clinical staff with restraint and treatment of animals; administer medications and special diets; collect specimens/samples. Maintain records on daily observations and report any and all observed health problems.
• Assist research staff, LAMS staff, and students with restraint of animals and special housing per supervisor approved service requests.
• Assist with the maintenance of rodent breeding programs, including weaning and identification.
• Maintain equipment and perform minor repairs; operate cage washers, autoclaves, and laundry washers and dryers. Prepare special protective clothing for use in barrier animal holding areas.
• Assist with training of LAAs. May coordinate the work of LAA positions.
• Perform related duties based on departmental need.

Required Education

High School Diploma or GED

Required Trainings/Certifications

Some positions may require a current valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

Required Experience

One (1) year of related experience.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Must pass a physical examination and test negative for active infectious tuberculosis prior to starting employment. Must have the ability to lift up 40 pounds.