Animal Research Technician 1

About the role

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, BI AH policies and Veterinary Sciences standard operating procedures, and the fundamental requirements for AAALAC accreditation. Works in an animal research laboratory setting under Biosafety Level 1 and 2 conditions. May provide guidance to junior team members as delegated by the Site Veterinarian or Group/Team Leader and serve as site representative on site-specific committees and workgroups.

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.
• May provide supervision of junior team members upon delegation from Group/Team Leader or site management.
• Restrains and manipulates animals for routine and emergency procedures.
• 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.
• Administers treatment to animals at the direction of the Site Veterinarian or delegate.
• Conducts scientific clinical observations and disease outcome assessments (e.g. lameness, behavior, respiration, fecal consistency, central nervous system effects, etc.).
• May administer experimental treatment articles in accordance with study protocols.
• Records all scientific information on documents provided with study protocols or standard department forms as appropriate.
• Under supervision, may administer and monitor sedation, and may conduct euthanasia in accordance with study protocols and at direction of Site Veterinarian or delegate.
• 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 pre- and post-mortem in accordance with study protocols and direction of Investigator or delegate. Sample types may include but are not limited to blood, feces, oral fluids, nasal, tonsillar, or laryngeal swabs, tissues, etc.
• Assists with necropsies at direction of Site Veterinarian or delegate.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent degree (GED) and a minimum of two (2) years experience in a related field (livestock handling, husbandry, healthcare, veterinary clinical assistance, and/or scientific animal research).
• Must either already possess or be willing to obtain Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification, preferably within 12 months of employment.

Skills

• Effective verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Ability to interface and build working relationships with team members at all levels of site organization.
• Proficiency in basic computing skills such as e-mail communication and word processing.
• Must be results oriented, cooperative, and a systematic thinker.
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary matrix environment and value teamwork.
• Sound judgment and analytical thinking.
• Ability to manage processes, projects, and function well in a team or committee role.

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Ability to work in extreme environments (hot, cold, noisy, humid, etc.) with a high priority on biosecurity, attention to detail, and timeliness.
• Must demonstrate persistence and energy in a dynamic, fast-paced, and demanding work environment.
• Some heavy lifting required: up to 70 pounds occasionally and up to 50 pounds frequently.
• Must be willing to work directly with animals during ante-mortem and post-mortem procedures.
• Must not have allergies to animals or livestock/feed dust.
• Must be able to read and see clearly; prescription eye wear is allowed.
• Must maintain even temperament when working with livestock.
• Willingness to learn at a rapid pace.

Schedule

• Must be able to work weekends.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.
• Must be willing to take a drug test and post-offer physical (if required).
• Must be 18 years of age or older.