Animal Equipment Preparer

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center•Seattle, WA

About The Position

The Animal Equipment Preparer processes soiled animal housing equipment and prepares it for use. The role focuses on developing skills and performing daily responsibilities according to established procedures, under close supervision and without supervisory responsibility. The incumbent is expected to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to perform more advanced work through training, using limited discretion and judgment. The position supports animal husbandry and veterinary care, research activities, sanitation, equipment operations, documentation, and compliance with safety procedures and institutional regulations. It is classified as essential personnel and requires working with minimal absences, including during Center closures, except when a major disaster prevents access to animal housing and use facilities by order of governmental emergency personnel.

Requirements

Ability to wear personal protective equipment, including a Powered Air-Purifying Respirator, scrubs, gloves, shoe covers, gowns, ear plugs or muffs, a face mask, and eye protection.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or GED.
One year of experience, preferably in janitorial work, production line work, or animal husbandry.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Demonstrated ability to learn and adapt to new systems and techniques.
Attention to detail.
Ability to obtain an Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) within the first year of employment.

Responsibilities

Prepare items for equipment washers, including removing soiled bedding, sorting items into batches, soaking designated items, and scrubbing heavily soiled items.
Prepare orders of fresh animal caging and rodent drinking water for animal technicians.
Sterilize equipment, materials, and liquids needed for animal husbandry and veterinary care.
Learn and operate facility equipment according to manufacturer specifications, including tunnel and rack washers, bottle decappers, dry heat sterilizers, autoclaves, garb-el, and water bottle filling stations.
Check processed clean equipment for residual waste or other contamination and notify the Supervisor about malfunctioning machinery or damaged equipment.
Prepare acidification solution for water filling stations under supervision.
Support autoclave operations, including sterility assurance testing and daily cleaning.
Maintain departmental logbooks, including breakage and maintenance records.
Perform housekeeping duties such as sweeping, mopping, garbage removal, and equipment washing in animal housing areas and surrounding premises.
Follow sanitation procedures and collect materials for quality testing.
Prepare and provide special equipment orders.
Follow applicable regulatory and safety requirements for biomedical research.
Assist with validation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and procedure documentation.
Dispose of research specimens in a biosecure manner and in accordance with regulations.
Support husbandry of research mammals and aquatics.
Understand CM process documents, policies, and training materials.
Document work accurately and promptly in logbooks according to process documents and policies.
Use basic tools, including Microsoft Office and mobile devices, for tracking and communication.
Perform duties in accordance with departmental safety procedures and institutional regulations, and perform other duties as assigned.
Work with minimal absences and during Center closures as essential personnel, except when a major disaster prevents access to animal housing and use facilities by governmental emergency personnel.