Animal Technician - Joslin Diabetes Center

Beth Israel Lahey Health•Boston, MA

5d•$15 - $24

About The Position

The Animal Technician provides routine husbandry care for laboratory animals across multiple animal facilities, following standardized laboratory procedures that comply with State and Federal regulations. The role works with the Lead Animal Technician as needed and may assist research staff. The position requires weekend and holiday work. Duties include caring for and handling small rodents, soiled animal bedding, and performing euthanasia. Staff must be vaccinated against influenza as a condition of employment.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
1–3 years of experience in an animal facility.
ALAT certification. Candidates who are not currently certified must sit for the exam after 18 months from their hire date.
Strong attention to detail.
Ability to communicate in English, including speaking, reading, and writing.
Ability to work well both within a team and independently.
Basic computer skills.
Ability to lift, push, and pull a minimum of 50 pounds on a flat surface or ramp.
Ability to stand for 6 hours.
Ability to handle small rodents and soiled animal bedding, and to perform euthanasia.
Must be vaccinated against influenza as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in an AAALAC-accredited facility is desired.

Responsibilities

Perform husbandry care for laboratory animals on a multi-building campus, including daily health and cage checks, housing and procedure room checks, and cage changes according to Standard Operating Procedures.
Clean and sanitize animal rooms and procedure rooms according to established procedures.
Document completed tasks and observations, and report deviations or adverse conditions to the Lead Animal Technician and/or Veterinary Technician as appropriate.
Receive and house animal shipments.
Practice safety, environmental, and infection control methods.
Interact with researchers and other groups as appropriate.
Provide technical assistance to researchers as needed, including breeding, study support, emergency euthanasia, animal export packing, and inter- or intra-building animal relocations.
Assist with inter- and intra-building central services activities as needed, including waste management, carcass removal, equipment fumigation, housing rack installation, small equipment relocation, and cage washing.
Assist the Lead Animal Technician and provide backup during absences as needed.
Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.