Laboratory Animal Technician II - Comparative Medicine

Washington University in St. Louis • St. Louis, MO

8d • $17 - $24

About The Position

Provide and document care and husbandry for multiple animal species in accordance with departmental SOPS and regulations and guidelines of the Animal Welfare Act and the Public Health Service, to assure a quality animal care program that supports the research and teaching at WashU. Provide care in specialized situations including biohazard, quarantine, and bioexclusion. Rotating weekend and holiday work is required.

Requirements

• Associate degree or combination of education and experience may substitute for minimum education.
• Animal Care Learning Program - Purina Institute, Animal Care Learning Program within 6 months - Purina Institute, Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) - American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS), Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) - within 2 years - American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)
• No specific work experience is required for this position.
• Must be able to lift 30 labs and pass a pre-employment physical exam.
• Appropriate vaccinations and hearing protection and other PPE are required through participation in the Occupational Health and Safety Program.
• Requires extensive safety training.
• Exposure to chemicals.
• High noise environment.
• Requires protective devices.
• Dust, dirt, grease or other disagreeable elements.
• Exposure to animals.
• Typically standing or walking.
• Typically bending, crouching, stooping.
• Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement.
• Frequent lifting (30 lbs. or more).

Nice To Haves

• Laboratory Animal Science (2 Years)
• Biomedical Research
• English Language
• Heavy Lifting
• Quality Care
• Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Writing

Responsibilities

• Provide and document daily husbandry care to multiple species including rabbits, non-human primates, canines and rodents. Care includes the provision of feed, water, clean cages and enrichment.
• Sanitize and maintain rodent colony rooms according to schedule to include sweeping and mopping animal quarters and procedure rooms, disinfecting all areas in room, rotating animal cages, cleaning large equipment and stocking room supplies.
• Observe animals daily for clinical or behavioral signs of illness and provide treatments as directed by veterinary staff. Report findings to Supervisor, Facility Manager or DCM Veterinary staff in a timely fashion.
• Correctly handle and dispose of hazardous wastes according to standard operating procedures.
• Perform additional duties as required by supervisor/manager/department, which may include hands-on training of junior-level technicians.

Benefits

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.
• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees