Lead Animal Care Technician - ($500 Sign-On Bonus Available)

Title: Lead Animal Care Technician - ($500 Sign-On Bonus Available)

Location: Upper East Side

Org Unit: Husbandry and Facility Operations

Work Days: Weekdays and some weekends

Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Salary Range: $26.92 - $41.15

*As required under NYC Human Rights Law Int 1208-2018 - Salary range for this role when Hired for NYC Offices

Position Summary

Under guidance, assists in the supervision and training of junior staff This role also provides direct care and maintenance for various species of laboratory animals, including feeding, general husbandry and cleaning of caging and related equipment

Job Responsibilities

• Dirty Side Cage Wash: Dissembles, washes and sterilizes caging and related equipment utilizing automated cage washing equipment and sterilizers.
• Clean Side Cage Wash: Re-assembles and prepares clean caging, equipment, animal feed and bedding.
• Responsible for general animal husbandry, including changing holding areas, feed and water utilizing specialized techniques and equipment.
• Recognizes and reports conditions of animal health and welfare that are at variance from normal for the species. Escalates any issues to supervisor.
• Ensures and monitors the proper maintenance of laboratory facilities, including animal holding areas, cage wash areas and associate corridors. Assesses conditions of caging equipment and makes recommendations for equipment replacement and/or repair.
• Assists with distributing and monitoring staff assignments.
• Assists with monitoring staff performance and recommends corrective action when necessary.
• Ensures that staff is trained in the safety, operation and appropriate maintenance of equipment.
• Performs census scans as needed. Inputs census in a database and reviews census reports for accuracy. Follows up on non-compliant cages as required.
• As needed, oversees the operations of specialized animal holding suites.
• Euthanizes small laboratory animals and ensures animal care staff euthanize rodents in compliance with standard operating procedures.
• Assists Research Animal Care Technicians and investigators in restraining animals.
• Implements policies and procedures including animal health checks, sentinel animal, environmental monitoring, inadequate cage card, overcrowded cages and dead animal protocols.
• Maintains inventory of supplies, equipment and/or reagents. May order supplies/equipment/reagents as authorized or ensure that needs are escalated appropriately. Receives supply orders and confirms accuracy of delivery. May assist with cost control.

Education

• High School Diploma

Experience

Approximately 2 years of animal care experience or LAT certified with demonstrated proficiency and approximately 1 year of animal care experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of the basics of animal health and disease, the procedures required to clean sterilize caging and the use and operation of equipment required for laboratory animal housing and care.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions Participates in on-the-job training required to develop new skills, learn new techniques, and implement new policies.

Licenses and Certifications

• Certification by AALAS as an Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT)

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

This position requires full mobility and the ability to regularly lift or move up to 25 pounds and frequently lift or move up to 50 pounds; This role requires standing for extended periods of time and the ability to climb and work from ladders and platforms; This role may be exposed to dust, dirt, unpleasant odors, laboratory animals, animal excreta, and hot and humid surroundings There is potential exposure to animal bites and scratches, needles and other sharp instruments, infectious agents, radioisotopes, toxic chemicals, and radiation; Protective equipment including uniforms, steel-toe shoes, masks, aprons, gloves and head covers are provided and required for specific activities.

Flexibility in availability is required. Work assignments may include weekends and holidays; work shifts can be assigned between the hours of 6am - 8pm.

Weill Cornell Medicine is a comprehensive academic medical center that's committed to excellence in patient care, scientific discovery, and the education of future physicians in New York City and around the world. Our doctors and scientists-faculty from Weill Cornell Medical College, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and the Weill Cornell Physician Organization-are engaged in world-class clinical care and cutting-edge research that connect patients to the latest treatment innovations and prevention strategies. Located in the heart of the Upper East Side's scientific corridor, Weill Cornell Medicine's powerful network of collaborators extends to its parent university Cornell University; to Qatar, where an international campus offers a U.S. medical degree; and to programs in Tanzania, Haiti, Brazil, Austria and Turkey. Our medical practices serve communities throughout New York City, and our faculty provide comprehensive care at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian/Lower Manhattan Hospital, and NewYork-Presbyterian/Queens. At Weill Cornell Medicine, we work together to treat each individual, not just their conditions or illnesses, as we strive to deliver the finest possible care for our patients - the center of everything we do. Weill Cornell Medicine is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Weill Cornell Medicine provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, or genetic information.