General Information
| Job Description | ANML TCHN | Working Title | Animal Technician |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job Code | 009525 | Grade | |
| Department Name | Office of Campus Veterinarian - D01159 | Department Head | Akiko Sanders |
| Supervisor | Dierk Biggs | Effective Date |
Position(s) Directly Supervised
| Job Code | Title | FTE |
|---|
Department Custom Scope
| Under close supervision of the area supervisor, perform routine animal husbandry tasks. Duties include the cleaning, feeding, and watering of laboratory animals; the cleaning of cages/ enclosures and related ancillary equipment; and the maintenance of animal care areas. Routine daily follow-up checks of work are made. Other assignments are made by the area supervisor on a project basis. |
Education & Experience Requirements
Education Requirements
| Degree | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Graduation from high school, completion of training equivalent to the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification of AALAS, and one year of animal care experience; or high school graduation and two years of animal care experience in the care of an animal species appropriate to the particular job; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position. | Required |
Experience Requirements
| Experience | Requirement |
|---|
License Requirements
Certification Requirements
| Certification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Certification as an Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) level through AALAS. | Required |
| Certification as a Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) with AALAS. | Preferred |
Educational Condition Requirements
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|
Key Responsibilities
| Description | % Time |
|---|---|
| Animal Husbandry a. Perform routine animal husbandry tasks including cleaning, watering, feeding, and grooming of laboratory animals while following guidelines of the American Association for Laboratory Animals Science (AALAS) manual for Laboratory Technicians (LAT), departmental procedures and SOP's, and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (current edition). b. Clean and repair cages/enclosures and related ancillary equipment following departmental procedures. c. Observe laboratory animals and report any unexpected behavioral or physical abnormalities. d. Maintain animal identification cards and inventory records, room environment reports, and cage washing/autoclave/dry heat logs in assigned areas. e. Restrain animals using the proper technique for each species for technical procedures. f. Collect samples of urine or feces following procedures in the manual for Laboratory Animal Technicians (LAT) or under the supervision of the Clinical Veterinarian. g. Receive and house newly arrived animals in proper caging and prepare cage identification cards and inventory records. h. Perform euthanasia on all animal species under the supervision of the Clinical Veterinarian. i. Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor. | 80 |
| Cleaning & Sanitizing a. Maintain animal care areas in a clean and sanitary condition by scrubbing down the ceilings, walls, and floors at prescribed intervals following departmental guidelines and SOP's. b. Clean heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system louvers, grills and ducts at prescribed intervals following departmental guidelines and SOP's. c. Operate a cage rack/tunnel washer for cleaning and sanitation of cage components, racks, trays, and pans. Operate an autoclave and/or a dry heat sterilizer to sterilize caging equipment and supplies for the laboratory animals. d. Wash and sterilize water bottles, sipper tubes, and stoppers. | 20 |
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
| Knowledge/Skill/Ability | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Ability to euthanize rats and mice using CO2 chambers. Must be able to follow the procedures for euthanasia including the use of the CO2 chamber, as well as be able to ascertain that death has occurred. Knowledge of appropriate labeling and disposal of the animals euthanized, including hazardous animals. | Required |
| Knowledge of and the ability to apply the concept of contamination control practices. Including but not limited to engineering, administrative, and procedural controls for the containment of pathogens, including disinfection, and waste handling methods appropriate for work in hazardous containment facilities up to ABSL-2. | Required |
| Ability to work independently following general directions/ training to provide animal care. | Required |
| Ability to work in an animal research environment which requires continuous contact with animals. | Required |
| Working knowledge of animal husbandry procedures sufficient to care for laboratory animals in an experimental environment. | Required |
| Skill in handling a variety of animals in a variety of situations sufficient to prevent injury or distress to the animal or self. | Required |
| Knowledge of habits and appearance of laboratory animals sufficient to notice deviations from normal and provide various types of routine treatments following training/ direction by other animal technicians. | Required |
| Knowledge of techniques and ability to collect samples for laboratory study. | Required |
| Available to work on weekends/holidays. | Preferred |
| Knowledge of cleaning and sanitizing materials and techniques sufficient to maintain a healthy environment. | Preferred |
| Work experience evidencing reliability and the capacity to learn and assume responsibility for the routine animal caretaking functions. | Preferred |
| Ability to lift 50 pounds. | Preferred |
Special Requirements & Conditions
| Special Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Overtime | Preferred |
| Shift Work (hours outside standard Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM work hours) | Preferred |
Other Special Requirements & Conditions
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Level of Supervision Received
| Close Supervision |
Environment
Working Environment
| Campus |
Other Requirements
Items Used
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Physical Requirements
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Mental Requirements
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Environmental Requirements
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Critical Position
| Is Critical Position: Yes |