Technician for Laboratory Animal Resources Center

Position Summary

Under supervision and with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment, provides appropriate housing conditions and husbandry for the animals in support of biomedical research projects, in accordance with departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), laboratory animal regulations and guidelines, and biosafety and biosecurity guidelines.

Statement of Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee and maintain cage wash and support areas of the facilities.
• Properly dispose of animal associated waste, such as water, food and soiled bedding.
• Aid in transporting Stericycle bins.
• Sanitize facilities, animal housing units, ancillary animal care equipment, and surgical instruments in compliance with Federal regulations.
• Prepare cages and water bottles for full animal cage change outs.
• Prepare and use disinfectants and detergents; operate equipment and/or use supplies necessary to perform husbandry duties.
• Perform general housekeeping, such as dusting, sweeping, mopping, etc., restock personal protective equipment (PPE) in necessary areas.
• Assist in driving truck for animal transport, equipment, and supplies. Requires successful completion of defensive driving course.
• Provide daily record keeping for animals, room environments, and consumable supplies such as cylinders of compressed gas.
• May obtain laboratory samples for health monitoring program; receive and transport animals, help to transport, receive, and stock bulk feed, bedding material and additional supplies.
• Assists LARC Facilities Manager with facility logs regarding equipment maintenance.
• Promote a culture of safety and environmental protection by working in a safe manner; immediately reporting unsafe situations, spills, and accidents; following University safety plans/procedures/protocols; and participating in appropriate safety training.
• Participate in infection control procedures, including cage washing, autoclaving and general facility hygiene as well as delivering supplies, equipment and laundry etc. from within and outside the University. This job element includes the ability to operate a cage washer and steam sterilizers and ensure the contents have been properly sterilized by the process.
• May be required to assist with water testing, CO2 monitoring, and biohazard waste management.
• Observe, record, and report problems involving animal care equipment and environmental support systems; and as needed, arrange and coordinate for preventative and/or repair maintenance to be performed on cage wash machinery, and all other equipment and materials. Maintain organization and up-keep of physical environment in areas of responsibility.
• Follow all Standard Operating procedures and Work Instruction Sheets in compliance with all federal, state and local regulations and policies.
• Report any concerns or issues relating to animal welfare to the LARC managers and the Attending Veterinarian.
• Must attain AALAS Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification within twenty-four months of employment. Possesses knowledge of all Microsoft Office software applications and able to learn and use institutional software systems.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or general education degree (GED) may be acceptable and
• Experience: None.
• Additional Requirement: Must hold a valid Texas Class C driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record in accordance with university policies.

Why Pick UTEP

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is a comprehensive public research university that is increasing access to excellent higher education. We advance discovery of public value and positively impact the health, culture, education, and economy of the community we serve.

UTEP is America’s leading Hispanic-serving university.

Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 84% of our 26,000 students are Hispanic, and half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 170 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.

The Laboratory Animal Resources Center (LARC)

LARC is committed to providing UTEP faculty, staff and students with veterinary and personnel training and expertise in laboratory animal technology and medicine. LARC exists to promote humane animal care and use in support of UTEP’s research goals through compliance with the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) and our own IACUC and departmental policies. The LARC advises and educates researchers on animal experimentation issues and provides guidance and review in the protocol writing process, while promoting contemporary best practices for the responsible use of animals. Our goal is provision of quality animal care which is key to obtaining consistent and reliable data.

Disclaimer

The primary accountabilities are intended to describe the general content of and requirements of this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties. Incumbents may perform all or some of the primary accountabilities listed. Specific tasks or responsibilities will be documented in the incumbents’ performance objectives as outlined by the incumbents’ immediate supervisor or manager. This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information. A valid driver’s license issued by the State where the applicant resides and insurability as defined in UTS 157 may be required to perform the position's essential functions.