POSITION TITLE: Small Animal Care Technician
LOCATION: NIH/DVR 14 Area
SUPERVISOR: Floor Supervisor
JOB SUMMARY:
Under the direction of the Floor Supervisor, the Animal Care Technician shall have demonstrated knowledge and skill in handling animals, especially rodents and rabbits. They shall be able to recognize the appearance of abnormal animals and maintain a clean environment for all animals. Additionally, this person will be responsible for assisting investigators, keeping appropriate records, and providing supplies when requested. The Animal Care Technician shall maintain accurate room logs and the cleanliness of the facility.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
- Must have a High School Diploma or GED.
- Must have AALAS Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician certification or one year of experience in a laboratory animal facility, animal hospital, zoo, or related animal field. All Animal Care Technicians shall train and become ALAT certified within one year of employment.
- Candidates must possess an excellent command of the English language, both written and verbal, to effectively communicate with investigators and other staff members daily.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
- Provide animal care and husbandry services, including but not limited to: feeding and watering animals; handling and restraint of animals; cage and bedding changeouts; cleaning and sanitizing animal rooms, hallways, ancillary equipment; monitoring environmental parameters as required; assessing the presence of vermin and effectiveness of control efforts; performing animal health checks; assisting in the local delivery and transport of animals; assisting in the inspection and storage of feed and bedding materials; performing minor equipment and facility maintenance.
- Observe and report any abnormalities in animals, equipment, or facilities to the floor supervisor or the Project Manager.
- Perform husbandry, restraint, and environmental monitoring tasks following established NIH SOPs.
- Ensure that procedures and practices involving the program of animal care are appropriate for the continued maintenance of AAALAC accreditation of the NIH facilities.
- Adhere to security procedures and confidentiality requirements.
- Assist, when requested, in experimental planning and logistics and scheduling of projects.
- Participate in the ongoing employee training program, with a special emphasis on safety and health training, safe work practices, and the use of personal protective equipment.
- Perform job tasks and duties in compliance with NIH “Guide,” facility policies, regulations, safety, and security procedures.
- Perform work in compliance with applicable safety requirements.
- Adhere to equipment sanitation and sterilization schedules.
- Ensure that records, logbooks, and other project records are appropriately and contemporaneously maintained.
- Comply with the QA/QC program.
- Recommend changes in operational procedures that might increase the efficiency or effectiveness of work procedures or practices.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must be able to climb, reach, stoop, bend, and stand for prolonged periods of time.
Lifting/Moving Requirements – up to 50 pounds
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Animal care and technical duties will be performed mainly indoors in an animal care vivarium, barrier facility, surgical or test procedure laboratory facility, or animal housing/bedding cleaning and processing areas. Work may require the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in these facilities. The laboratory environment and/or animal care work areas may be prone to hot and humid conditions and subject to objectionable odors, aerosols, dust, animal dander, and noise.
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