Laboratory Animal Technician

Saint Louis University•SLU Saint Louis, MO

About The Position

Under indirect supervision, provides independent primary care of routine husbandry for research animals; assists with and/or performs technical procedures as requested to maintain animal health, federal and local accreditation, and research data integrity. Performs all husbandry duties. This position may involves exposure to ABSL3 biohazards and Select Agents requiring additional safety preparedness. Assists Husbandry Manager and Manager of Husbandry Operations with other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Animal handling and general knowledge of species-specific behavior
Knowledge of receiving and caring for germ free animals
Knowledge of Allentown biocontainment unit (BCU) and maintenance
Knowledge and familiarity of animal protocols / studies
Time management skills
Decision making skills
Interpersonal skills
Leadership skills
Verbal and written communication skills
Attention to detail
Ability to collaborate
Team player
Ability to lift heavy objects (up to 50 pounds) & maneuver large racks and equipment
Ability to use a manual floor scrubber and floor burnisher
Ability to provide the best customer service by troubleshooting, adapting to a continuously changing environment, and helping with frequent last-minute requests
Ability to operate automated water systems, cage washer, autoclaves and incinerator
Ability and willingness to wear protective clothing or equipment as required
Must meet minimum eligibility requirements for vaccination
High school diploma or equivalent, and associate degree; supplemented with one (1) year of related experience and/or veterinary technician certification (e.g. AHT, CVT, RVT).

Nice To Haves

American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification preferred

Responsibilities

Provides diligent and responsible animal care and welfare; nutritional support to research animals; prepares, changes and cleans cages; sanitizes equipment and facilities; performs all husbandry duties. Sanitation of cages includes working with bedding considered to be hazardous material. Special precautions are required when working with this material. Strict Safety SOP adherence is critical.
Records and/or reports untoward animal observations including altered eating, body condition scoring, drinking, waste elimination, altered behavior, lesions, dystocia, neurological symptoms, and/or moribundity in various animal species. Provide animal enrichment; special diet coordination and offering.
Receive animal deliveries, including special requirements for USDA covered species. Receive, unload, and put away assigned deliveries of animal feed, bedding and consumable supplies. May involve autoclaving ABSL3 materials to prepare for safe disposal. Knowledge of proper procedure for Risk Group 3 / Select Agent carcasses and/or material. May involve maintenance of PAPRs, IVCs, Allentown units and BCU ca 9.
Prepare shipping containers for animal export. Knowledge of environmental controls, monitoring of room air pressure. Assist with strict pest control measures.
Communicate with research personnel and veterinary staff regarding all health and welfare concerns. Working knowledge of all departmental SOP’s, IACUC Guidelines, Guide Standards, and Animal Welfare Regulations.
Performs technical procedures including record keeping, colony maintenance, inventory (entering in Cayuse/e-Sirius system), cross-fostering of mice pups, animal identification, plug checks, tattooing, breeding, sexing, collecting tissues, preparing diets, anesthesia, clinical treatments and final animal disposition. If absent, ensure all duties are covered by colleagues; ensure documentation on Room History Sheets are completed daily.
Lead team meetings with Lab Animal Technicians and assist Husbandry Manager with agenda. Train Lab Animal Technicians and PI / lab staff with technical procedures including record keeping, animal identification, tattooing, breeding, sexing, collecting specimens, preparing diets, and animal final disposition. Intensive animal and facility training for all new PI’s and lab members.
Considered an essential employee by university definition – provides coverage on weekends, holidays, and inclement weather. A member of the Emergency Response Team (ERT). Performs quality control checks in all lab animal technicians assigned areas; and assist in training Lab Animal Technicians.
Transports live animals between animal rooms and/or buildings following university policy and departmental SOPs. Transports animal carcasses between buildings following university policy and departmental SOPs. Transport facility supplies between buildings using the department vehicle.
Prepare and assist with AAALAC, NIH, CDC, USDA, and IACUC inspections to ensure continued accreditation. Assist husbandry manager to train new staff. Records and/or reports environmental abnormalities. Provides routine physical maintenance of assigned areas. Maintain CO2, O2, CO2/O2 gas tanks in all facilities. Provide post operative care, administer prescribed medication to animals as prescribed by the veterinarians. Complete all assigned professional development and continuing education requirements. Performs other duties as assigned by Husbandry Manager of Husbandry Operations.