Cage Wash Tech-Laboratory Animal Care Unit

University of Tennessee•Memphis, TN

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Cage Wash Technician will operate and maintain the program’s cage washing and cage/rack systems. This position is a key member of a work team that supports a large, complex, and centralized laboratory animal resource program within an academic health science center campus. The program requires a diverse team of technicians, supervisors, managers, and professionals who collectively operate a complex research facility that houses, maintains, cares for, and supports live animals for use in biomedical research.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)
Ability to follow written and verbal directions with attention to detail.
Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and supervisor.
Ability to perform physical duties, which may include standing, pushing, pulling and lifting, pushing or pulling loaded bulk trucks and racks.
Ability to withstand extensive exposure to disagreeable elements such as elevated temperatures, high humidity, dust, and excessive noise; possess manual dexterity skills to assemble and disassemble cages, load caging into automated washing machines, and re-assemble cleaned cages.
Ability and willingness to use disinfecting and sterilizing chemical agents.
Ability and willingness to wear the protective gear provided by the department.

Nice To Haves

Six (6) months of work-related experience with animals, sanitization, or operating machinery is desirable.

Responsibilities

Receives soiled caging into cage wash area, performs pre-cleaning of caging, and disassembles cages as necessary to prepare for loading into automated cage washing machines as directed by supervisor and in accordance with standard operating procedures.
Empties soiled bedding and waste from soiled cages and disposes of soiled bedding in accordance with instructions from supervisor and standard operating procedures.
Loads caging into automated cage washing machines in accordance with standard operating procedures.
Performs cage washing through operation of automated cage washing machines in accordance with standard operating procedures and as directed by supervisor.
Assesses sanitation and effectiveness of cage washing and sanitizing processes in accordance with standard operating procedures.
Performs preventive maintenance, start up, and shut down of equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures.
Prepares and fills orders for processed cages and equipment for specific work areas with input from animal care technicians and supervisors.
Loads bulk bedding into automated bedding dispenser.
Maintains records of cage washing machines sanitation effectiveness in accordance with standard operating procedure.
Assesses cage washing and cage processing equipment for proper operation daily.
Performs manual cage washing and sanitation as directed by supervisor.
Removes clean cages from automated cage washing equipment, adds bedding, and re-assembles cages as directed by supervisor and in accordance with standard operating procedures.
Performs other related duties as assigned.