Laboratory Animal Caretaker

SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University•Brooklyn, NY

About The Position

Are you looking to take your career to new heights with a leader in healthcare? SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University is one of the nation's leading metropolitan medical centers. As the only academic medical center in Brooklyn, we serve a large population that is among the most diverse in the world. We are also highly-ranked by Castle Connolly Medical, a healthcare rating company for consumers, among the top 5 leading U.S. medical schools for training doctors. Bargaining Unit: CSEA Job Summary: The Division of Comparative Medicine in the College of Medicine at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University is seeking a full-time Laboratory Animal Caretaker. Laboratory Animal Caretakers handle, treat and observe animals used in laboratory experiments, biological tests and research. They handle laboratory animals to implement ongoing experiments; treat them to provide for the general health and comfort of the animals; and observe them to detect symptoms of disease and changes in condition. They come into contact with animals carrying a variety of communicable diseases including zoonosis, and may be exposed to the radiation used in the treatment of such animals. In handling, treating, feeding and all other contacts with such animals, incumbents use techniques designed to minimize the hazards of their own infection, as well as the contamination of uninfected stock or experimental animals. Incumbents communicate with physicians, veterinarians and research scientists to report unusual experimental results and to receive instructions concerning the handling and treatment of animals relative to specific experiments. Illustrative Duties Under the general supervision of a Senior Laboratory Animal Caretaker: Teats animals as prescribed in guidelines to maintain the general health of laboratory animals. Assists higher level positions, e.g., professional scientists and technicians, in performing experimental treatment procedures to provide data for research. Monitors animals' conditions and behaviors to detect symptoms of disease and changes in conditions. Attends to the physical needs of animals both in regular housing and in controlled environment chambers to ensure that animals are maintained in health and comfort within the constraints of experimental procedures. Cleans and washes facilities and performs other housekeeping duties as scheduled and directed to ensure that facilities are clean and adequately supplied. Perform a wide range of husbandry duties in the laboratory animal care facility, which includes, but is not limited to: Cleaning and removing cages, equipment. Performing room sanitation, including disinfecting/sanitizing cages using various detergents and washing methods. Feeding animals and performing daily wellness checks. Transferring animals from one cage to another, and removing waste. Work well as a collaborative team member, but work just as well independently. Participate in monthly staff meetings. Complete all New York State required trainings. Perform basic record keeping, environmental control monitoring for temperature and humidity as well as some maintenance equipment use. Perform all husbandry work within strict accordance of the guidelines established by law and in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Demonstrate flexibility in scheduling, as needed, to work weekends and holidays based on the business need of the facility. Be flexible, as other duties may be assigned, as needed, by the Facility Supervisor or Veterinarian.

Requirements

There are no minimum education or experience qualifications.

Nice To Haves

Candidate should be able to use basic computer programs such as Internet, Microsoft Word for email, training, and basic data entry.
Must have good communication skills, both verbal and written, and be able to follow instructions from the Facility Supervisor or Veterinarian.
Must be able to lift 50+ pounds of animal feed and supplies.

Responsibilities

Teats animals as prescribed in guidelines to maintain the general health of laboratory animals.
Assists higher level positions, e.g., professional scientists and technicians, in performing experimental treatment procedures to provide data for research.
Monitors animals' conditions and behaviors to detect symptoms of disease and changes in conditions.
Attends to the physical needs of animals both in regular housing and in controlled environment chambers to ensure that animals are maintained in health and comfort within the constraints of experimental procedures.
Cleans and washes facilities and performs other housekeeping duties as scheduled and directed to ensure that facilities are clean and adequately supplied.
Perform a wide range of husbandry duties in the laboratory animal care facility, which includes, but is not limited to: Cleaning and removing cages, equipment. Performing room sanitation, including disinfecting/sanitizing cages using various detergents and washing methods. Feeding animals and performing daily wellness checks. Transferring animals from one cage to another, and removing waste.
Work well as a collaborative team member, but work just as well independently.
Participate in monthly staff meetings.
Complete all New York State required trainings.
Perform basic record keeping, environmental control monitoring for temperature and humidity as well as some maintenance equipment use.
Perform all husbandry work within strict accordance of the guidelines established by law and in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
Demonstrate flexibility in scheduling, as needed, to work weekends and holidays based on the business need of the facility.
Be flexible, as other duties may be assigned, as needed, by the Facility Supervisor or Veterinarian.