Lab Animal Technician 1

Oregon Health & Science University•Beaverton, OR

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Oregon National Primate Center (ONPRC) is seeking a Laboratory Animal Technician 1, Equipment Sanitation Technician to provide research support, routine health care, and husbandry for laboratory animals. The primary function is to ensure laboratory animals have sanitized primary housing in accordance with federal regulations and guidelines. This role involves performing research support tasks, routine health care, and manual and technical husbandry tasks directly related to animal care. Key duties include cleaning, sanitizing, and sterilizing animal primary housing and equipment following strict protocols. The specific tasks may vary based on animal populations, care requirements, service needs, and staffing, and may require working during non-regular hours, including weekends and holidays. The position requires professional conduct and interaction with investigative staff.

Requirements

Possession of a valid Driver's License and ability to drive DCM/ONRPC vehicles on and off campus as required.
Professional and service-oriented attitude.
Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
Ability to consistently interact with research investigative staff, supervisors, and co-workers in a positive and constructive manner.
Ability to use proper techniques to safely perform standard clinical procedures (including ability to accurately calculate medication dosages).
Sufficient dexterity and manual skills to safely perform (or learn to perform) basic animal husbandry and animal handling (using proper techniques).
Ability to use computer keyboard.
Ability to read, write, and follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to communicate effectively in oral and/or written formats with both technical and professional staff.

Nice To Haves

High School Diploma or GED.
Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred.
Six months of experience providing husbandry for animals (i.e., watering, feeding, changing bedding, housing, checking animal's health, etc.).
Basic knowledge of the care of animals can be demonstrated through the care of pets, farm animals, or 4-H animals.
18 months of experience in the health care of experimental animals in a research setting and/or as a veterinary technician or assistant highly preferred.
Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician level (ALAT), or equivalent combination of training and experience desired.

Responsibilities

Provide laboratory animals with sanitized primary housing in accordance with federal regulation and guidelines.
Perform research support tasks, routine health care, and manual and technical husbandry tasks related to the care of laboratory animals.
Clean, sanitize, and sterilize animal primary housing and equipment following strict protocols.
Exchange nonhuman primate cages by removing the animal from the cage using a transfer box and transferring the animal to a clean cage.
Transport dirty cages and/or racks to the designated wash area.
Clean and sanitize cages, racks, and/or group housing enclosures, including operating mechanical cage washers, lift trucks, forklifts, pressure washers, and foamers.
Perform routine sanitization of animal primary housing, shelters, equipment, and facilities, including sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, washing, and disinfection of floors, walls, ceilings, sinks, and other equipment.
Operate floor scrubbers, autoclaves, forklifts, lift trucks, pressure washers, foamers, and dispensing units.
Inspect cages and/or racks for damage, remove damaged items, and report needed repairs.
Recognize and report problems with facilities, such as inappropriate room temperatures, leaking or broken water pipes, plugged drains, or damaged surfaces.
Perform simple facility maintenance tasks, including replacing drinking water valves and replacing lighting.
Feed and water animals.
Participate in general animal health surveillance by observing animals, recognizing abnormalities in physical condition or behavior, and reporting and recording observations to the clinical veterinarian or research staff.
Perform animal health procedures such as weighing, TB testing, and blood collections.
Capture, restrain, identify, and sex common varieties of laboratory animals.
Transport animals in support of veterinary, husbandry, or investigative procedures.
Complete and submit data processing forms.
Use a computer keyboard to access and/or input information from computerized animal record files.
Assist with the acquisition and maintenance of all appropriate regulatory, research, and animal records and reports.