Animal Technician

Job Description

Job Summary:

Under direction of the Animal Resources Supervisor or assigned lead, the Animal Technician (AT) has experience, training and is capable of performing all duties within the scope of the job description for Assistant Animal Technicians. Animal Technicians performs assigned duties in a manner that achieves the LARC mission. Animal Technicians are expected to identify problems, remedy and report them immediately. Animal Technicians must ensure the proper care and use of animals and Animal Technicians must be able to perform some technical procedures required within LARC or to support the research effort.


Department Summary:

The Laboratory Animal Resource Center (LARC) supports the research programs of the faculty by providing all services associated with the care and use of laboratory animals including the purchasing/receiving, daily care and monitoring of the health of all species. The Animal Technician is responsible for the daily care of animals in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Duties include changing cages and racks, delivering food and water in accordance to established procedures, maintaining equipment and animal housing areas according to standard operating procedures and federal and state regulations. Perform record keeping duties such as per-diems records, animal health surveillance, feed logs, temperature/humidity charts, animal receipt and disposition logs and performs other duties as assigned. LARC provides care for various species of laboratory animals housed in multiple LARC research facilities located throughout the city of San Francisco.

Responsibilities

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Identify the functions or tasks that employees in the job perform. The essential functions should state the purpose of the work and the results to be accomplished, rather than how the function is performed. Of the tasks listed, what percentage of time is devoted to each? The more time employees spend on a function, the more likely it is that the function is essential. Generally, include those functions that account for 10% or more of the work, i.e., key items that contribute significantly to the achievement of the job. The functions should add up to 100%.

of time

Essential Function (Yes/No)

Key Responsibilities

(To be completed by Supervisor)

60
Yes
Animal Care and Room Sanitation

• Daily maintenance of vivarium facilities, under general supervision.
• Change cages/racks, clean primary enclosures per schedule, feed and water different species of animals used in LARC.
• Maintain all animals and animal housing areas according to LARC standard operating procedures for each species.
• Always handle animals humanely and with care. Mistreatment can result in severe, negative employment consequences.
• Monitor room conditions for temperature, humidity, and sanitation. Report conditions outside of set ranges to your Supervisor/Principal Technician.
• Identify animal care needs as they arise and report them to the Supervisor.
• Communicate with the faculty regarding animal housing/husbandry issues in a professional and articulate manner.
• Prepare animal cages for transportation between UCSF facilities.
• Perform cage wash duties as needed.
• Conduct all activities according to federal, state, AAALAC, and UCSF requirements and regulations, including BSL 2 and higher areas.
• Review assigned areas for items or activities that might raise protocol or regulatory compliance concerns. If found, remedy those that relate to the duties of Animal Technician (AT) and report all others to supervisors or other staff as directed.
• Assist in the training of new employees and act as area leader of Assistant Animal Technicians

15
Yes
Animal Health

• Identify and report all sick and unhealthy animals to Supervisor, Animal Health Technician, veterinary staff, and/or Principle Investigators (PI's).
• Assist in restraint of animals as needed.
• Assist in animal health screening programs (which range from rodent sentinel program to large animal sample collection) as assigned.
• Assist in training animals for physical exam or research behaviors.
• Perform treatments, administer routine medications, apply technical skills under close supervision (e.g. collect fecal samples, various injections, etc.)
• Other animal health duties as assigned.

10
Yes
Record Keeping

• Perform record-keeping duties, such as per-diems records, feed logs, temperature and humidity charts, animal receipt, and disposition logs.
• Perform sanitation record verification, such as water temperature or autoclave logs.
• Perform all duties as assigned in animal housing rooms and log in daily check sheet.
• Perform Census bar code cage scanning and data entry
• Fill out records needed for various assurances to animal welfare regulatory agencies and UCSF-IACUC

10
Yes
Maintenance

• Ability to use small hand tools to repair cages, racks, and minor mechanical needs (e.g., automatic watering systems, water fillers, etc.).
• Maintain and change rack, biosafety cabinet, humidifier, and room filters.
• Maintain/restock supplies in common areas, including feed, PPE, and equipment.
• Mop/sweep hallways.

5
Yes
Miscellaneous

• Load and unload animals, receiving, caging, feed, and supplies. Assignment length can vary up to 50%, in accordance to needs of operation.
• Prepare rooms to house animals, from rodents to primates, depending on area assigned.
• Ability to perform all tasks assigned to the Assistant Animal Technician (AAT).
• Take AALAS Technician certification examination within 24 months of starting employment is expected.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0%


(To update total %, enter the amount of time in whole numbers (without the % symbol - e.g., 15, 20) then highlight the total sum (e.g., 1%) at the bottom of the column and press F9. The total sum should add up to 100%.)

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Graduation from high school/GED, completion of training equivalent to the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician certification of the AALAS, and one year of animal care experience; or high school graduation and two years of animal care experience in the care of an animal species appropriate to the particular job; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.
• 1 year of animal handling or lab animal sanitation equipment operations experience required.
• Ability to communicate animal health information to appropriate personnel, maintain legible records for permanent status. All assignments require some use of computer/email.
• Satisfactory job performance ratings at all times during probationary employment period.
• Ability to follow instructions, work independently or in shared assignments with others.
• Basic computer skills (e.g.,e/mail skills, ability to scan cage barcodes, sync PDA's for submitting Health Surveillance Reports electronically, utilize email account for work-related communications, online training, MyTime timecard submission).
• Ability to follow work rules, including no eating or drinking in animal areas, no smoking at campus facilities.
• Ability to bend, squat, kneel, stand, reach above shoulder level, and move on hard surface for up to 7 hours/day.
  
  
  Ability to wear personal protective equipment as required; includes protective clothing, protective glasses, safety shoes and gloves daily, face masks as required, respirator if assigned.
• Ability to push and pull heavy objects and ability to safely move and or lift heavy loads (up to 50 pounds).
• Demonstrated experience working under general supervision.
• Complete and remain current in BRER training.
• Complete Ergonomics training.
• Complete Ethics training.
• Complete and remain current in Laboratory Safety for Researchers training.
• Complete Facilities Orientation for each assigned site.
• Successful completion of ALAT in-house training curriculum within one year of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• General knowledge of feeding, caging, and space requirements for multiple species of laboratory animals used in biomedical research.
• Ability and skills needed to identify animal health concerns and regulatory compliance for their assigned areas and to report conditions to veterinary staff, researchers, and compliance staff.
• Full knowledge of disinfection, sanitation, and cleaning agents; knowledge and ability to use cage washers for cleaning and autoclaves for sterilization of cages.
• General knowledge of federal and other licensing agencies' regulations.
• AALAS Assistant Laboratory Animal Medicine (ALAT).

About Us

About UCSF

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world's leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.

Pride Values

UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence - also known as our PRIDE values.

In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity - both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available here.

Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Salary Information


The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.


Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.


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