Animal Care Technician (Laboratory Tech) - Evergreen

The Geneva Foundation•Seattle, VA

8d•$21•Onsite

About The Position

The Animal Care Technician provides humane non-veterinary care and husbandry for animals needed to support medical research at the VA Puget Sound. Species housed include rodents and rabbits, and as part of a team, the Animal Care Technician provides support to research investigations that require animal subjects. This is an on-site position at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System Center in Seattle, WA.

Requirements

Must have at least 6 months of experience caring for animals in a professional setting such as a research animal facility, veterinary hospital, zoo, breeding facility, or pet store
Must have knowledge of principles of animal breeding, or animal care and management
Knowledge of normal animal behavior and understanding of ethical care obligations
Knowledge of sanitation practices
Ability to work in a computer database, to send and receive email messages, and to complete online training modules
Must be organized, attentive to detail, and possess a positive, friendly, and professional demeanor
Must be flexible with changing priorities and able to communicate in a diplomatic and professional manner
Must be comfortable working with animals
Willing to work rotating five-day work schedules to include weekends and National Holidays
US Citizenship is required for this position
Being subject to VA’s Drug-Free Workplace Policy
Undergo Mantoux test (PPD test) within fourteen (14) calendar days of start date and prior service
Undergo Hepatitis B Vaccination 10 days from start date
Undergo NACI level clearance so a PIV card or a VA badge can be issued
Undergo site-specific training provided by the VA

Nice To Haves

A working knowledge of and experience applying principles and requirements of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and the US Animal Welfare Act is preferred
Certification by The American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) as an Assistant Laboratory Technician is preferred but not required

Responsibilities

Consistently provide and promote humane housing conditions, gentle handling, and secure restraint of animals
Ensure animal welfare and safety and report animal safety incidents within 24 hours
Work independently and as part of a team to provide husbandry for animals needed in biomedical research investigations, primarily rodents (mice and rats), and some rabbits
Work with animals that may bite, scratch, or kick
Daily responsibilities include observation of animals for health, supplying animal feed and water, maintenance and cleaning of animal housing, housing, and procedure rooms and equipment, changing cages, cleaning and preparing cages, disposing of waste, stocking supplies such as food and bedding
Adhere to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), and infection control procedures
Ability to operate equipment including autoclaves, cage-washers, floor scrubbers, lift carts, bedding dispensers, biosafety cabinets, water-pouch fillers, and fume hoods
Ability to work while wearing personal protective equipment including gloves, goggles, face shields, hearing protection, and Powered Air Purifying Respirators
Ability to work safely following safety protocols with research hazards including pathogens of Biosafety Level 1 or 2, toxins, and carcinogens.
Utilize the VA computer system, including but not limited to checking and inputting electronic reports daily for accuracy and completeness, working in the research animal database to record animal data and print reports and labels, receiving and sending VA email communications, completing required online training
Participate in activities of the VAMC that are designed to meet the requirements of this position
Lift up to 40 lbs
Maintain accurate and detailed records
Other duties as assigned by the PI/technical lead and corporate manager