Laboratory Animal Technician Iii- Swine

OVERVIEW: Responsibilities of this position are that of a Laboratory Animal Technician III (Swine) for the Animal Care Project. These responsibilities include all activities required for the proper care and maintenance of on-site animals. All employees are expected to perform their duties as assigned, arrive to work at 7 am and depart at 3:30 pm (M-F). You will be required to work on the weekends as scheduled. The weekend hours are from 7 am to 12 pm. This position is designated as essential. In addition, you will be expected to work extra hours during emergency situations or if any unexpected situation arise until work is completed. You will serve as the subject matter expert in your assigned areas. Laboratory Technician III (Swine) is expected to create and assist in developing plans to enhance the learning abilities and performance of the staff working on this contract, and to be forward thinking subject expert. The Laboratory Technician III (Swine) must possess strong verbal communication and teaching skills. The Laboratory Technician III (Swine) will assist the Program Management in the efficient allocation of the budget, write and maintain reports and develop and maintain an effective relationship with the Government staff.

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Primary duties include:

• In the performance of their daily duties, the Laboratory Animal Technician III (Swine) shall possess advanced technical knowledge of swine colony health management to include, but not limited to daily colony health examinations, clinical observations of sick animals, health assessments, experimental manipulations, providing animal treatments as instructed by the veterinarian, and providing technical support (e.g. animal handling and restraint, injections, sample collection, treatments, surgical preparation, anesthetic recovery, post-operative observations, and assist with research procedures as directed)
• Technician shall perform or assist in providing technical functions required by research protocols, perform animal husbandry - which can include feed, watering, and cleaning cages as required
• The Laboratory Animal Technician III (Swine) shall have knowledge of animal behavior and practical experience working with animals to habituate them to new procedures, equipment, and environments through training and positive reinforcement
• Provide environmental enrichment and/or behavioral assessments and maintains animal health records
• Communicates with veterinary support staff, facility veterinarian(s), investigators and other staff members regarding the health of animals and experimental manipulations as needed
• Provide relevant task-specific technical, husbandry and administrative training to animal users
• Utilizing didactic and hands-on technical training methods, provide initial and refresher training to maintain and enhance employee skills and capabilities related to Laboratory Animal techniques
• Actively interact with customers as required to solve customer requests, inquiries, and complaints and to provide technical assistance
• Works with contract training staff to formulate teaching outline and determine instructional methods such as individual training, group instruction, or demonstrations to attain task proficiency
• Understand and follow all SOPs and quality assurance standards
• Participate in weekly technical or SOP training
• Safely and correctly handle and restrain animals for observation and/or minor procedures
• Collect physiological data (pulse, respiration, heart rate, body temperature, etc).
• Collect, preserve, and prepare blood, urine, fecal samples and skin scrapings.
• Assist with animal receipts and shipping
• Maintain inventory of technical supplies, such as medications, and procedure room supplies
• Reports all animal and personnel issues and concerns to the appropriate chain of command
• Euthanize and dispose of animals per SOP/policy
• Must be able to lift a maximum of 50 lbs.; bend, push, pull, stoop, climb and stand for a prolonged period.
• Knowledge of PCs, Microsoft Office software and database systems
• Perform miscellaneous duties as assigned

Requirements:

BS/BA and five years of experience performing duties as a Laboratory Animal Technician is preferred. American Association of Laboratory Animal Science certification at the Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) level required. Must attain and maintain access to workplace as set forth by personnel, access and security requirements. Maintain all contract requirements to include quality of work, occupational health (e.g., vaccinations) and training.