Animal Health Technician I

Medical College of Wisconsin•Milwaukee, WI

22h

About The Position

Under the direction of others, the Animal Health Technician I serves on teams of primary caregivers who maintain and promote the health and well-being of research animals. The role provides comprehensive husbandry, basic medical care, and facility support services to facilitate the BRC’s mission, in alignment with its vision and values and consistent with established policies, procedures, and regulations. The technician observes animals and their environments, documents and reports findings, administers prescribed treatments, maintains records, and performs daily animal care and facility sanitation. The position also supports animal receipt and distribution, monitors environmental conditions and equipment, maintains supplies and facility records, participates in education and continuous improvement, and assists with training and special projects under the direction of others.

Requirements

High school diploma.
At least six months of experience; appropriate experience may substitute for education on an equivalent basis.
Ability to work hard and willingness to learn new tasks.
Ability to work productively in a cooperative team setting.
Personal accountability in completing tasks.
Excellent communication skills.
Ability to follow established procedures closely.
Strong attention to detail, critical thinking, problem-solving, accuracy, and attentiveness to detail.
Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Word and mobile-device operation.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities.
Compassion, patience, and endurance.
Ability to meet the physical demands of moving feed, bedding, cages, and other equipment; regularly pushing, pulling, and lifting heavy objects; climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and standing or walking continuously; manipulating equipment with both hands; and performing repetitive motions.
Ability to detect and understand speech or other communication; occasional ability to distinguish colors and perceive relative distances between objects.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree or higher.
Assistant Lab Animal Technician (ALAT) certification at time of hire is preferred.

Responsibilities

Observe animals and their environments daily to assess health and detect abnormal conditions; document and report findings according to established procedures.
Administer prescribed treatments and other interventions, which may include animal euthanasia, and maintain relevant records.
Provide daily animal care, including cleaning enclosures, providing clean caging, bedding, and enrichment, and supplying feed and water.
Handle and restrain animals using appropriate techniques to support safe and humane care and research.
Sanitize animal rooms, cages, equipment, corridors, and support areas according to standard operating procedures.
Operate rack washers, tunnel washers, bedding dispensers, vacuum bedding disposal systems, autoclaves, and floor-cleaning machines.
Empty garbage dumpsters, operate trash compactors, and package waste materials for incineration.
Receive incoming animal shipments and distribute animals to assigned rooms.
Monitor environmental conditions, machinery, and equipment; collect, document, and compare data against established standards.
Collect and record facility management data, including environmental conditions, animal inventory, and daily husbandry activities.
Cross-train in all areas of the facility.
Assist with receiving, stocking, and maintaining supply inventories.
Participate in unit and department education to increase knowledge of research animal science.
Assist with ongoing compliance with policies and procedures and provide feedback on their development.
Participate actively in continuous improvement.
Assist with special projects and on-the-job training of less experienced AHTs under the direction of others.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Health, vision, and dental coverage.
Flexible Spending options.
403B retirement package.
Competitive vacation and paid holidays.
Tuition reimbursement.
Paid parental leave.
Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP).
Pet insurance.
On-campus fitness facility with onsite classes.
Discounted rates on select cell phone plans, local fitness facilities, Milwaukee recreation, and entertainment.