Description

Summary

The Department of Comparative Medicine supports the research activities of Tulane University faculty, staff and students by fostering a comprehensive program of quality animal care. Animal care technicians provide food and water, clean housing, and enrichment for laboratory animals and monitor animal health on a daily basis. They provide the highest level of ethical and humane care, which leads to high quality and reliable data. Animal care technicians work closely with veterinary technicians, veterinarians and researchers.

There are four position levels of Animal Care Technicians. Each level requires a combination of number of years of animal husbandry and/or laboratory animal care experience and education. Selection for available positions will be determined by the hiring committee and Animal Care managers based on careful review of each candidate's resume and qualifications. Candidates will be provided with a full job description if selected for an interview.

Duties of the Animal Care Technician depend on the assignment of the level and include, but are not limited to:

Animal care

• Performs routine duties associated with animal care in a research setting.
• Prepares food and feeds animals, administers medications, maintains sanitary conditions, observes animal conditions and behavior, and collects animal specimens.
• Feeds animals and supervises the administration of special diets and medication.
• Observes and monitors animals for signs of illness, trauma or social instability.
• May assist in animal restraint, maintaining animal housing and minor cage maintenance.
• Assists veterinarians with pre- and post- operative animal care.
• Observes and monitors animals for signs of illness, trauma or social instability.
• Maintains daily records pertaining to animal care.

Work environment

• May be required to work with, take specific precautions against and/or be immunized against potentially hazardous agents.
• Weekend work and overtime hours are a requirement of this position.
• Performs minor repairs and maintains animal housing facility.
• Maintains adequate inventory of necessary supplies and equipment.
• May be designated as essential personnel during a storm/natural disaster. If required to work during a closure, employee must provide accurate and current contact information and is responsible for maintaining communication with Tulane.
• Monitors environmental conditions in animal housing facilities and inspects the condition of facilities and equipment for cleanliness and proper operation.
• Complies with OSHA standards and other applicable federal and state regulations when working with hazardous chemicals, materials, animals and power equipment.
• Ensures that the facility complies with federal regulations for care and maintenance of research animals.
• Follows protocol in the proper containment and disposal of bio-hazardous waste and contaminants.
• Responsible for assessing and maintaining security of animals in their primary enclosure.

Research

• Observes animal behavior and conditions, collects specimens and provides technical assistance to research and veterinary personnel.
• Serves as a resource in the management of a particular technical specialty such as mice
• Collects blood, urine, and other required specimens from animals as requested for medical research.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

ALL levels should have the required knowledge and skills listed below:

• Ability to follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to lift items weighing up to 50 lbs and push items weighing up to 200 pounds.
• Possess basic computer operating skills
• Must have the ability to work with various laboratory animal species

Required Education and/or Experience

The education required for each level is listed below:

Animal Care Technician 1

• High school diploma or equivalent
• One year of animal husbandry or previous animal care experience

Animal Care Technician 2

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Two years of animal husbandry or previous animal care experience

OR

• Bachelor's degree in a related field

OR

• Graduation from a two-year veterinary technician program

OR

• One year of animal husbandry or previous animal care experience and certification as an AALAS Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT)

Animal Care Technician 3

• High school diploma or equivalent and four years of animal husbandry or related animal care experience, which includes one year of laboratory animal experience

OR

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and one year of laboratory animal experience

OR

• Graduation from a two-year veterinary technician program and one year of laboratory animal experience

OR

• Three years of laboratory animal experience and certification as an AALAS LAT (Laboratory Animal Technician)

Animal Care Technician 4

• High school diploma or equivalent and six years of animal husbandry or related animal care experience, which includes two years of laboratory animal experience

OR

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and two years of laboratory animal experience

OR

• Graduation from a two-year veterinary technician program and two years of laboratory animal experience

OR

• Four years laboratory animal experience and certification as an AALAS LAT (Laboratory Animal Technician)

Preferred Qualifications

SPECIAL REQUIRED ABILITY FOR INCUMBENTS WHO HAVE CONTACT OR EXPOSURE TO ANIMALS OR ANIMAL TISSUES:
Ability to complete and pass successfully the required occupational health screening referenced in the University's Animal Handler Health Surveillance Program on an annual basis.