Lab Animal Technician 1

Oregon Health & Science University•Beaverton, OR

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Oregon National Primate Center (ONPRC) is seeking a Laboratory Animal Technician 1 to provide husbandry, health care, and research support for laboratory animals at the ONPRC. The specific tasks will vary based on animal population, care requirements, service needs, and staffing. This role primarily focuses on the Small Laboratory Animal Unit but may extend to non-human primate units. As the first level in a three-level series, this position involves performing animal care and procedures under close supervision, with intensified training and limited independent decision-making.

Requirements

Basic knowledge of animal care, demonstrable through experience with household pets, farm animals, or 4-H animals.
Ability to read, write, and follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to communicate effectively in oral and/or written formats with technical and professional staff.
Ability to assist with research support at the level trained, in a professional manner.
Ability to perform general animal husbandry duties and assist investigative staff as requested.
A valid Driver's License and ability to drive ARRS/ONPRC vehicles on and off campus.

Nice To Haves

High School Diploma or GED.
6 months direct work-related experience with animals.
Certification at the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) level.
2 years of indirect laboratory animal experience.
6 months of experience in the care of experimental animals (watering, feeding, changing bedding, housing, checking health, etc.).

Responsibilities

Conduct routine animal husbandry procedures, including feeding, watering, and transferring animals into sanitized cages.
Perform capture, restraint, handling, identification, and transport of animals for veterinary or investigative procedures.
Determine the gender of common laboratory animals.
Perform routine sanitization of animal housing, equipment, and facilities, including operating equipment like cage washers, floor scrubbers, autoclaves, pressure washers, and scales.
Assist with animal health management procedures, including treatments and diagnostic procedures such as weighing, fecal and parasitology collection, and blood collections.
Assist with facility maintenance, including unloading and storing animal feed (bags up to 50lb).
Assist in maintaining laboratory animal breeding colonies, including identification of newborns, health assessments, and weaning.
Administer medications via topical, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and oral routes.
Observe animals daily for signs of abnormal behavior, illness, or injury and report findings to a supervisor.
Record and report data on animal births and room environmental conditions (temperature, lighting).
Maintain records as required by standard operating procedures and federal regulations.
Keep accurate census records for billing purposes.
Recognize and report facility problems (e.g., temperature, plumbing, damaged surfaces) and perform simple repairs.
Prepare for new animal arrivals, uncrate, and house animals according to standard operating procedures.
Assist in receiving and transporting animals.
Maintain and rotate clean supplies of feed and bedding.
Operate vehicles to transport animals and supplies between campus facilities.
Perform other duties as assigned.