Animal Health Technician

Summary

Under the direction of others, serve on teams of primary caregivers who maintain and promote the health and well-being of research animals by providing comprehensive husbandry, basic medical care, and facility support services to facilitate successful achievement of the BRC’s mission in alignment with the BRC’s vision and values and in a manner consistent with established policies, procedures, and regulations.

• Perform daily observations of animals and their environment to assess their health status and detect abnormal conditions. Document and report findings consistent with established procedures. Administer prescribed treatments and other interventions, which may include animal euthanasia. Maintain relevant records.
• Perform essential, daily animal care to include cleaning animal enclosures, providing clean caging, bedding, and enrichment, and supplying feed and water.
• Handle and restrain animals as needed by using appropriate techniques to allow for the care and research to be performed in a safe and humane manner.
• Sanitize animal rooms, cages, equipment, corridors, and support areas using appropriate techniques per standard operating procedures. Operate rack washers, tunnel washers, bedding dispensers, vacuum bedding disposal system, autoclaves, and floor cleaning machines. Empty garbage dumpster and operate trash compactor. Properly package waste materials to be sent for incineration.
• Receive incoming animal shipments and distribute animals into assigned rooms.
• Monitor environment and/or machinery and equipment by obtaining, documenting, and comparing data against established standards. Maintain records by collecting and recording data to facilitate management of the facility.
• Cross-train in all areas of the facility.
• Assist with the receipt, stocking, and maintenance of supply inventories.
• Maintain routine recordkeeping of such items as environmental conditions, animal inventory, and daily husbandry activities.
• Participate in unit/department education to become more knowledgeable in research animal science.
• Assist in providing on-going compliance with policy and procedures and provide feedback in the development of policies and procedures. Actively participate in continuous improvement. Assist with special projects under the direction of others as needed.
• Assist with on-the job training of less experienced AHTs under the direction of others as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Willingness to work hard and be open to learning new tasks.
• Ability to work productively in a cooperative team setting.
• Exhibits personal accountability in completion of tasks.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to closely follow established procedures.
• Strong attention to detail, critical thinking, problem solving, accuracy and attentiveness to detail required.
• Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Word and mobile device operation.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• Compassion, patience, and endurance.

Appropriate experience may be substituted for education on an equivalent basis.

Minimum Required

Education:

High School Diploma

Minimum

Required Experience:

Six months

Preferred

Preferred Education:

Preferred Experience: Associate degree or higher

Required Certification/Licensure(s): Assistant Lab Animal Technician (ALAT) certification at time of hire is preferred

Physical Requirements

Work requires movement of feed, bedding, cages, and other equipment. Requires regular pushing, pulling and lifting of heavy objects. Must climb, balance, stoop, kneel and crouch, and stand or walk continuously. Must be able to manipulate equipment using both hands. Perceive attributes of objects such as size and shape using fingers and hands. Many repetitive motions are required, including wrist rotations, stoops, body turns, reaching overhead and lifts.

Work Environment

Occasional exposure to dust, noise, temperature changes, or contact with water or other liquids. Exposure to animal wastes, chemicals, acids, odors, loud noises, heat, humidity, and wet surfaces is to be expected. Work is performed in an environmentally controlled environment.

Sensory Acuity

Ability…