Animal Technician

Overview

The Animal Technician is responsible for performing various animal husbandry duties in conventional, immunodeficient and transgenic/knockout rodent colonies. In addition, the Animal Technician will maintain animal rooms, monitor rodent colonies, and perform technical duties which may include medical treatments of rodents with minor injuries, emergency separations, and euthanasia.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

• Changing rodent cages while strictly adhering to established SOPs. Administer special dietary formulations and medicated water to rodents as defined by research protocols
• Maintaining animal rooms and other facility areas in accordance with accepted standards of sanitation. Procedures involved include sweep, vacuum, wash walls, floors, equipment, and shelving according to schedules for these activities
• Monitoring rodent colonies for sick or injured animals up to twice daily. Recording and reporting such findings in accordance with SOP via Manage Tasks and HMR system apps
• Operating and maintaining laboratory animal husbandry equipment including, but not limited to laminar flow work benches, biosafety cabinets/ hoods, ventilated air racks, autoclaves, sterilizers, and cage wash equipment. Reporting malfunctioning equipment immediately to supervisor
• Technical duties may include medical treatments of rodents with minor injuries, emergency separations, and euthanasia
• Proper record keeping including room logs and health monitoring reports (HMR) as required. This will include use of computerized data collections systems and apps for cage census and health monitoring
• Required to document all tasks completed via Manage Tasks, HMRs, Alerts, and Compliance reports as required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: 

• ​Knowledge of animal care and husbandry, cleaning, independent work, phone/PDA usage
• Ability to work in an independent and organized manner as well as within a team
• Ability to pay attention to detail, communicate effectively to management, taking direction, and learn new tasks
• Ability to perform all duties while strictly adhering to established SOPs
• Basic computer skills for computerized record keeping in accordance with established procedures, (i.e., Manage Tasks, animal holding room census data collection, and other computerized logs and apps

MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

The position prefers a high school diploma or GED. No prior experience is required, but 1 year of experience in a laboratory animal facility or veterinary technician program is preferred. AALAS technician certification at the ALAT level is preferred but not mandatory.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

PATIENT CONTACT: None

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) has strict guidelines regarding the presence of rodents in employees' homes due to the potential impact on research integrity and patient safety. Employees who work in certain roles, particularly those involving laboratory settings or animal research, must ensure their living environment does not pose a risk of contamination or interference with DFCI’s work. As a result, employees in designated positions are required to confirm that they do not have pet rodents at home or, if they do, agree to rehome them before starting employment. Failure to comply with this requirement may affect eligibility for employment in specific roles at DFCI.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.  

Pay Transparency Statement

The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.

For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).