Comparative Medicine Technician I- Center for Comparative Medicine & Surgery
About The Position
The Comparative Medicine Technician I is responsible for basic sanitation, disinfection, and maintenance of the animal facility, as well as daily record-keeping and operation of major laboratory equipment. The technician performs general husbandry for laboratory animals, maintains inventory of personal protective equipment and supplies, and sanitizes laboratory spaces, including animal holding rooms, cage wash areas, and associated corridors, in accordance with federal, state, and local guidelines. The role also includes autoclaving equipment and recording autoclave and rack washer temperatures, providing daily care to small animal species, and performing other duties as required by management. The position supports clean, safe facility and animal environments through cage and equipment maintenance, environmental monitoring, health reporting, accurate documentation, and participation in departmental training. The technician is expected to prepare for ALAT certification and comply with institutional requirements for work involving infectious disease waste from BSL-2 and/or BSL-3 environments.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED.
- Minimum of 6 months of animal care experience.
- Purina Test.
Responsibilities
- Provide animals with clean cages, water, and food; identify functional caging equipment and report equipment maintenance needs; sanitize cages using washroom equipment; and remove bedding, trash, and other waste.
- Keep equipment, including racks and biological cabinets, clean and operational; adjust equipment as needed and make minor decisions about its use.
- Understand the function of facility equipment, including tunnel washers, rack washers, autoclaves, and bottle fillers, to prevent damage or lost time.
- Maintain a clean and safe work environment and report facility damage to a supervisor.
- Sanitize and disinfect cage wash areas, equipment, and other facility areas; identify, record, and report environmental conditions.
- Record and report health issues to a supervisor and/or veterinary staff.
- Comply with institutional certifications and requirements for handling infectious disease waste from BSL-2 and/or BSL-3 environments.
- Follow detailed written instructions for routine work and record cage census as required.
- Help maintain a clean and safe atmosphere for animals, employees, and facility users; contribute ideas and input to problem solving.
- Participate in departmental training related to animal care, facility operations, and employment matters; share newly learned skills and knowledge with others.
- Prepare for ALAT certification.
- Maintain inventory of PPE and supplies; autoclave equipment and keep temperature records for the autoclave and rack washer.
- Provide daily care to small animal species in the animal facility.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
