Animal Health Technician I

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

AHT 1, LEVEL A:

• Cleans, sanitizes/sterilizes, and maintains rodent cages, accessories, and equipment including large cage washers and sterilizing equipment.
• Maintains and verifies sanitization/sterilization parameters and prepares specialized caging when required.
• Maintains sufficient supply of clean cages and accessories for use by technicians/investigators.
• Maintains stock and cleanliness of animal rooms and common areas.
• Manages animal carcasses in soiled cage wash and other procedure rooms for disposal.
• Performs general janitorial duties including sweeping, mopping, disinfecting, and trash disposal.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

AHT 1, LEVEL B: IN ADDITION TO THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEVEL A

• Cleans, sanitizes and/or sterilizes multi-species (including NHP, amphibians and aquatics) cages, equipment and accessories.
• Removes and processes biohazard waste materials from caging and from facilities.
• Maintains storage rooms with appropriate levels of tools and caging materials.
• Manages USDA covered species carcasses in soiled cage wash, necropsy and other procedure rooms for disposal.
• Collects cages targeted for euthanasia and performs euthanasia as needed.
• Performs basic husbandry tasks which can include preparing disinfectant solutions, preparing caging supplies, and processing stock equipment and materials.
• Assists with creating Standard Operating Procedures and training lower level staff.

AHT 1, LEVEL C: IN ADDITION TO THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEVEL A/B

• Receives and processes all deliveries of equipment and materials from vendors.
• Assists with QA testing and tracking (e.g.: luminometer/ ATP, airflow, etc.).
• Performs husbandry health/line checks and cage changes, assists with additional equipment maintenance.
• Supports Rodent Sentinel health monitoring program with acquisition of bedding samples as assigned using approved techniques.

What we Require

• No prior experience or training (AHT I, Level A)
• Minimum 6 months of related work experience (AHT 1, Level B)
• Minimum 1 year of related work experience (AHT I, Level C)
• High school diploma or general education degree (GED), or one to three months related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Preferred: AALAS Certification – ALAT or higher level.
• Preferred: Experience working in a lab animal environment
• Computer skills required: Microsoft Office and Excel preferred
• Other skills required: Must be able to work weekends and holidays as well as shifted work weeks such as Wednesday – Sunday or Saturday – Wednesday.

Occupational Health & Safety Program Requirements

As a safeguard for employees and animals, all ARD employees may be subject to vaccines/tests/physical exams prior to working with specific animals or animal populations as required by research needs including but not limited to: TB Testing/Clearance (once a year), Tetanus/Diphtheria (vaccination < 10 years proof of immunization and/or vaccination), Measles (proof of immunization and/or vaccination), Periodic physical exams (may include respirator fit test), Other vaccines/tests as required by Occupational Health & Safety standards.

Physical Requirements/Mental Activities/Environmental Conditions

This position will require constant adjusting of focus, hearing, lifting 0-20 lbs., reaching, seeing, standing, communicating, and exposure to: fumes/odors/mists/dusts, noise, potential allergens, and working inside.