Animal Caretaker I & II

About the role

The Animal Caretaker I and II position is based in Temple University's Laboratory Animal Resources Department (ULAR). The individual filling this position will be responsible for providing exemplary animal care, husbandry, customer service, and study support. The individual will also assume a lead husbandry role in animal procurement, front-end billing, staff training, and project management. will be responsible for ensuring good husbandry, nutrition, and sanitation of animals used for research, testing, and educational purposes. The individual is also responsible for monitoring compliance with institutional animal care and use policies and federal laws.

Responsibilities

• Understand and follow all ULAR SOPs, IACUC policies and guidelines, safety procedures, and Quality Assurance Standards.
• Perform daily animal health checks and report any abnormal animal conditions to the veterinary staff. This is to include, ensuring all laboratory animals in their care always have food and water.
• Change animal caging to include feed and water, according to ULAR SOPs and/or specific approved protocols and the schedule established by the Area Supervisor.
• Determine age, sex, and weaning times for animals according to ULAR SOPs and IACUC policy.
• Dispose of dead animals according to standard SOPs and policies.
• Assist with the restraint, handling, and manipulation of various animal species as requested by the investigators or other ULAR staff members.
• Receive, examine, transfer, identify, and properly house incoming animal shipments according to ULAR SOPs.
• Maintain daily documentation to include room logs, animal census sheets, animal care and enrichment logs, room equipment logs, and other forms as requested by the Area Supervisor. This includes ensuring all animals are tagged and cages are properly identified.
• Clean and sanitize the animal facility, assigned rooms, and cages according to ULAR SOPs.