Job Description

Duties:

Animal Care Technician

Performs animal husbandry and health care in accordance with experimental protocol and Animal Welfare Act/Regulations, NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, Guide for the Care and use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching, Veterinary Sciences standard operating procedures, and the fundamental requirements for AAALAC accreditation. In addition, this individual assists with scientific procedures in accordance with study protocols, completes and maintains appropriate documentation associated with all job assignments, and provides equipment sanitation and facility maintenance. This individual will work in an animal research laboratory setting under Biosafety conditions.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Complies with applicable regulations and company policies. Documents and maintains records of animal care, preventive medicine, USDA-required, and study protocol-driven documents. Provides animal husbandry and care including provision of feed, water, and enrichment materials. Maintains, adjusts, and repairs animal pens, feeders, drinking systems, and livestock handling equipment. Performs cleaning and sanitation of animal rooms and equipment.
• Recognizes when animals are sick, distressed or otherwise abnormal and communicates these observations to the Site Veterinarian or Group/Team Leader. Conducts daily animal health and welfare assessments.
• Conducts scientific clinical observations and assessments.
• May perform site biosecurity functions including water system sanitation, bagged feed and fomite decontamination, and environmental auditing sample collection.
• Assists with clinical R&D sample collection in accordance with study protocols and direction of Investigator or delegate

Skills:

Requirements:

• This position requires a High School diploma or equivalent degree (GED) and a minimum of two (2) years experience in a related field. Such fields may include livestock handling, husbandry, and healthcare, veterinary clinical assistance, and/or scientific animal research. This related experience may be obtained concurrent with the diploma/degree.
• This person should either already possess or be willing to obtain Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification, preferably within 12 months of employment. Certification timelines will be dependent upon prior education and experience.

Physical and Mental Requirements to Perform Essential Functions:

1. Physical Demands / Surroundings - This position requires the ability to work in inclement environments (hot, cold, noisy, humid, etc.) with a high priority focused on biosecurity, attention to detail, and timeliness. Individual must demonstrate persistence and energy in a dynamic, fast-paced, and demanding work environment. Some heavy lifting is required and must be able to lift up to 70 pounds occasionally and up to 50 pounds frequently. Travel outside of local area is rarely required. Must be willing to work directly with animals. This person must not have allergies to animals or livestock/feed dust.
2. Visual Demands – Must be able to read and see clearly. Prescription eye wear is allowed.
3. Temperament / Mental Requirements - Must be able to maintain even temperament when working with all animals. Position requires willingness to learn at a rapid pace. Individual must be results oriented, cooperative, and a systematic thinker. Must be able to work in a multi-disciplinary matrix environment and value the importance of teamwork. Must exhibit sound judgment and analytical thinking. This person must demonstrate ability to manage processes, projects, and to function well in a team or committee role.
4. Other Proficiencies – Must possess effective verbal and written communication skills in English, sufficient for accurate transmission of information internally. Requires ability to interface and build working relationships with team members at all levels of site organization. Must be proficient in basic computing skills such as e-mail communication and word processing.
5. Attendance / Schedule – Attendance requirements are based upon BI AH general attendance policies. Must have reliable transportation and must be able to work weekends.
6. These physical and mental requirements represent a sampling of those considered essential to this position. Although this is an accurate representation, it is by no means complete and may be changed or updated as needed.

Must conduct business in such a manner as to comply with all regulations and policies governing animal care and welfare, scientific procedure, hazardous material, and biological agent containment as set forth by the USDA, EPA, The Guides, management, and other regulatory and accrediting agencies.

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