Animal Technician III

Scripps Research • San Diego, CA

29d • Onsite

About The Position

Mid-senior level position responsible for the daily care of research animals maintaining a clean environment and daily observation of the overall health of the animals. Conducts daily animal health observations and completes health reports identifying sick animals. Performs animal health treatments with direction from the veterinary staff. Transfers animals from dirty to clean caging providing appropriate feed, water and bedding. Notify appropriate personnel of abnormal conditions. Cleans, sanitizes, and autoclaves caging, equipment, and refills water bottles. May also clean and replace excreta pans or pads. May breed rodents, identify pregnant animals, wean animals, and perform routine technical procedures such as tailing, bleeds, and injections. Maintains animal records including animal breeder cards, production logs, pedigree charts, inventory sheets, treatment logs, etc. Permanently identifies animals by ear tag, ear notch or tattoo. Euthanizes animals according to written procedures. Receives and ships animals as well as reports discrepancies to the appropriate personnel. Performs clinical and research related techniques such as injections, sampling of bodily fluids, tissue harvest. Communicates with research staff on issues involving animal health, breeding, or regulatory matters. Maintains cagewash equipment, including cleaning the screens, jets, and manifolds. Performs preventative maintenance such as descaling tanks and polishing machines. Performs general housekeeping duties including but not limited to sweeping and mopping work areas and corridors. Properly disposes of waste. Assists with the health monitoring program, including testing for parasites, performing physical examinations, or necropsies. Receives and inventories feed, bedding, and supplies. Autoclaves feed, bedding, and cages in preparation for use. May perform specialized tasks in hazard containment rooms, quarantine areas, or animal facilities adhering to regulations pertaining to biohazards while maintaining clean to soiled traffic flow patterns. Adhere to the department's guidelines and standard operating procedures.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Minimum five years animal care experience.
• A Bachelor's degree in a life science, Associate's degree in veterinary technology, or AALAS certification and one to three years animal care experience may be substituted for total experience required.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Effective interpersonal relation skills.
• Must demonstrate competency in technical procedures.
• Those not assigned to a Dedicated Weekend Schedule (Fri-Mon) OR Sat/Sun only schedule, must be able to work weekend and holiday rotations.

Responsibilities

• Conducts daily animal health observations and completes health reports identifying sick animals.
• Performs animal health treatments with direction from the veterinary staff.
• Transfers animals from dirty to clean caging providing appropriate feed, water and bedding.
• Cleans, sanitizes, and autoclaves caging, equipment, and refills water bottles.
• May also clean and replace excreta pans or pads.
• May breed rodents, identify pregnant animals, wean animals, and perform routine technical procedures such as tailing, bleeds, and injections.
• Maintains animal records including animal breeder cards, production logs, pedigree charts, inventory sheets, treatment logs, etc.
• Permanently identifies animals by ear tag, ear notch or tattoo.
• Euthanizes animals according to written procedures.
• Receives and ships animals as well as reports discrepancies to the appropriate personnel.
• Performs clinical and research related techniques such as injections, sampling of bodily fluids, tissue harvest.
• Communicates with research staff on issues involving animal health, breeding, or regulatory matters.
• Maintains cagewash equipment, including cleaning the screens, jets, and manifolds.
• Performs preventative maintenance such as descaling tanks and polishing machines.
• Performs general housekeeping duties including but not limited to sweeping and mopping work areas and corridors.
• Properly disposes of waste.
• Assists with the health monitoring program, including testing for parasites, performing physical examinations, or necropsies.
• Receives and inventories feed, bedding, and supplies.
• Autoclaves feed, bedding, and cages in preparation for use.
• May perform specialized tasks in hazard containment rooms, quarantine areas, or animal facilities adhering to regulations pertaining to biohazards while maintaining clean to soiled traffic flow patterns.
• Adhere to the department's guidelines and standard operating procedures.

Benefits

• Employer Contributed Retirement Plan
• 403(b) option
• Full Suite of Health and Welfare plans including three medical plan options (including an HSA available option), dental, vision, life insurance, disability, EAP and more
• Access to Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical/Dependent Care)
• Competitive vacation and sick leave policies
• Free, on-site parking

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED