Animal Technician III

Company: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Location: Boston
Posted on: June 12, 2021

Job Description:

Overview

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute brings together world renowned clinicians, innovative researchers and dedicated professionals, allies in the common mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. Combining extremely talented people with the best technologies in a genuinely positive environment, we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all ages; we conduct research that advances treatment; we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers; we reach out to underserved members of our community; and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.Under the direction of the Animal Resources Facility (ARF) Manager, this position provides support and leadership for the daily husbandry and technical operations of the ARF program. Collaborates with the ARF Technical Service Manager and/or Attending Veterinarian concerning issues involving the health and welfare of laboratory animals. Performs all duties in compliance with local, state, federal and institutional guidelines and regulations. Responsible for assisting ARF Management and Lead Technicians with all components of the physical plant program. Responsible for performing various animal husbandry duties in a facility in which work is done with indigenous or exotic agents that may cause serious or potentially lethal disease as a result of exposure by inhalation. Serves as a role model for staff.

Responsibilities

Assists in training animal care staff in the following areas; microisolator cage changing techniques, room sanitation, autoclave operation, cagewash operations, waste disposal and other husbandry duties. Coordinates and assists in procurement and inventory of supplies required throughout the facilities. Provides direct work support in husbandry responsibilities including cage changing and cage wash operations. Is expected to fulfill duties and responsibilities of Animal Technician levels I and II as needed. Requires a working knowledge of environmental and HVAC monitoring devices and alarms. Including an understanding of how a magnehelic gauge determines differential air pressure. Assisting technicians with implementation and training for accurate record keeping including (but not limited to) room logs, health reports, cage card labels, autoclave records, cage wash records, animal census and other records as required. This includes assisting technicians with implementation and training of viewport and health monitoring records on PDA's. Conducts routine inspection in coordination with the Supervisors and Managers of all animal holding and support facilities to assure compliance with our AAALAC accreditation standards. Performs minor technical procedures on rodents without direct supervision. Technical duties may include medical treatments of rodents with minor injuries, weaning, toe and tail clipping, and euthanasia. This position performs husbandry tasks such as cage changing, waste handling and disposal of hazardous waste materials and animal carcasses in the BSL-2/3 area. Duties include; decontamination of all biological waste leaving the suite, proper storage of contaminated waste after it has left the biohazard suite, sterilizing into the suite all materials needed to support murine pathogen free mouse colonies (i.e., microisolator cages, feed, bedding, water, etc.) Awareness of sterilization principles is required. Responsible for receiving, unpacking and housing incoming animals following strict documented SOP. Notification of improper procedures documented and emailed to proper vendor/investigator.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required. BS or BA degree preferred.
• Minimum of four years of experience working in an AAALAC-accredited laboratory animal facility. Previous experience helpful but not required.
• AALAS certification at the Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) or Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) level is required within first year of acquiring position.
• Working knowledge of laboratory animal facilities operations.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt and respond timely to the needs of faculty, research personnel and ARF staff to ensure that excellent customer service is provided at all times.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Positive, professional leadership skills to coach and influence employees and conduct productive performance evaluations.
• Must be able to follow verbal and written instructions and exhibit interpersonal skills that are conducive to effective communication, and that contribute to a congenial work environment.
• Maintain positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a professional manner with clients, customers, coworkers, and supervisors.
• Working knowledge of laboratory animal equipment and supplies, including cagewash equipment, autoclaves and caging systems for a variety of common laboratory animals.
• Knowledge of personal protective equipment requirements for barrier and non-barrier facilities and various biosafety levels.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• The position requires direct contact with rodent species.
• Computer literacy in word processing and database record keeping in support of laboratory animal operations preferred.

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 groups as protected by law.

Keywords: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston , Animal Technician III, Other , Boston, Massachusetts