Animal Health Technician

New York Blood Center Inc•City of Rye, NY

17h•Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for daily vivarium room rounds; regular communication with scientists, Veterinarians and Head of LARS regarding daily care; administering treatments prescribed by clinical veterinarians and/or Head of LARS; monitoring; documentation of all health assessments; treatments and follow-up care; responsibilities for alternating holiday and weekends; participation in training initiatives; active participation in quarterly sentinel health screening. Various minor responsibilities may also be assigned, vivarium room round assignments and other department needs. Provide for the care of laboratory animals in a humane, safe and sanitary manner. Observe animals for clinical signs of disease and behavioral changes and report observations to the Head of LARS. Feed and water the animals on a daily basis or as specified Perform weekly census of animals and inventory supplies. Perform environmental and clean animal rooms daily as assigned. Observe and report any aberrations in animal room environments (room temperature, humidity, lighting, ventilation, vermin, etc.). Change animal caging as scheduled. Break down and sanitize animal quarter as scheduled and assigned. Sanitize service rooms, equipment and hallways as assigned. Provide routine treatment for common disease problems and monitor health status as instructed by supervisor or Veterinarian. Perform animal identification tasks using established methods. Assist in the operation/maintenance of animal, breeding and procedure records. Administer special diets and water according to specified protocols/directions. Receive, transport and distribute incoming and exporting animals as specified by established animals receiving procedures. Operate and maintain the cage washer, bottle filler, autoclave and other support equipment. Transport and/or incinerate animal carcasses, biological waste products and general refuse. Clean and maintain drug/blood and morgue refrigerators. Perform collection of biological (blood, urine, fecal, rectal/nasal swabbing, etc.) for diagnostic testing. Maintain various containment areas: quarantine, isolation, barrier, radiation and biohazard (BSL-3). Process and preforms special service requests. Serve as Back-up when USDA unannounced inspector comes. Performs and maintain the institutional enrichment, quarantine, sentinel and vermin control program. Performs administrative tasks. Provide general technical assistance to other animal care/research staff. The technician will perform the duties listed and other related duties as assigned or needed. Attend training programs to become more knowledgeable of and develop expertise in laboratory animal science. Maintain and processing of the Transnety’s Tag Center. Makes recommendations to improve organizational processes. Any related duties as assigned.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalency certificate
0-2 years of experience in Barrier facility or performing duties in a related area
Any combination of education, training and experience that has supplied the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to perform the essential functions of the job

Nice To Haves

Purina’s Laboratory animal certification
AALAS Certification

Responsibilities

Daily vivarium room rounds
Regular communication with scientists, Veterinarians and Head of LARS regarding daily care
Administering treatments prescribed by clinical veterinarians and/or Head of LARS
Monitoring health assessments, treatments and follow-up care
Documentation of all health assessments, treatments and follow-up care
Alternating holiday and weekends responsibilities
Participation in training initiatives
Active participation in quarterly sentinel health screening
Provide for the care of laboratory animals in a humane, safe and sanitary manner
Observe animals for clinical signs of disease and behavioral changes and report observations to the Head of LARS
Feed and water the animals on a daily basis or as specified
Perform weekly census of animals and inventory supplies
Perform environmental and clean animal rooms daily as assigned
Observe and report any aberrations in animal room environments (room temperature, humidity, lighting, ventilation, vermin, etc.)
Change animal caging as scheduled
Break down and sanitize animal quarter as scheduled and assigned
Sanitize service rooms, equipment and hallways as assigned
Provide routine treatment for common disease problems and monitor health status as instructed by supervisor or Veterinarian
Perform animal identification tasks using established methods
Assist in the operation/maintenance of animal, breeding and procedure records
Administer special diets and water according to specified protocols/directions
Receive, transport and distribute incoming and exporting animals as specified by established animals receiving procedures
Operate and maintain the cage washer, bottle filler, autoclave and other support equipment
Transport and/or incinerate animal carcasses, biological waste products and general refuse
Clean and maintain drug/blood and morgue refrigerators
Perform collection of biological (blood, urine, fecal, rectal/nasal swabbing, etc.) for diagnostic testing
Maintain various containment areas: quarantine, isolation, barrier, radiation and biohazard (BSL-3)
Process and preforms special service requests
Serve as Back-up when USDA unannounced inspector comes
Performs and maintain the institutional enrichment, quarantine, sentinel and vermin control program
Performs administrative tasks
Provide general technical assistance to other animal care/research staff
Attend training programs to become more knowledgeable of and develop expertise in laboratory animal science
Maintain and processing of the Transnety’s Tag Center
Makes recommendations to improve organizational processes
Any related duties as assigned