Laboratory Animal Assistant 2-Animal Facility (Knoxville)

Market Range: 05

THIS POSITION IS LOCATED IN KNOXVILLE, TN.

JOB SUMMARY/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Under the direction of the Animal Facility Director, Laboratory Animal Techician 2 supports a centralized laboratory animal resource program in an academic health science center campus.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assists the Director of the Animal Facility to performs assigned tasks independently to ensure compliance.
2. Generates and maintains written records of examinations and standard medical history questions and procedures.
3. Works with investigators and research staff to lend assistance to various research projects that require unique or specialized husbandry practices.
4. Coordinates the delivery of unique or specialized husbandry practices or services.
5. Coordinates basic duties that are required for daily care and maintenance of animals under standard and specialized (animal biosafety level 2, ABSL2) housing conditions, including feeding, watering, providing specialized care, record-keeping, preparing of specialized diets or water, changing of cages.
6. Sanitizes cages, pens, animal quarters, and equipment; performs minor repairs.
7. Administers medications and/or treatments under the direction of the Director and/or researchers.
8. Assists researchers with pre and post procedure examinations, which may include recording vitals and standard medical history question responses and complies reports.
9. Maintains supplies and equipment necessary for daily operation and maintenance of the work area and animal facility, e.g., disinfectants, sanitizers, and cleaners; cleaning implements such as mops, squeegees, brooms; automatic light timers; automatic water manifolds; air filters; ventilated animal racks; biological safety cabinets; laminar flow change stations, as directed.
10. Receives and monitors newly arrived animals for a period of initial physiologic, psychologic, and nutritional stabilization.
11. Ensures that newly arrived animals are assigned to appropriate housing location, appropriate caging and identified correctly after their initial quarantine period.
12. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION: High School Diploma or GED. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)

EXPERIENCE: One (1) years of relevant experience; OR Associate's Degree in lieu of experience; OR Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) at the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) level and one (1) year of experience.)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge and understanding of the Animal Welfare Act [AWA] and the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals [PHS Policy]), 9 CFR Part A (Animal Welfare) Part 3, Subpart F, and other applicable local and federal regulations.
• Ability to create and maintain extensive records.
• Experience with the evaluation of health status of animals.
• Knowledge of specialized cages used for animal research.
• Ability to use hands in a repetitive motion.
• Experience with a microisolator procedure for animal husbandry.
• Experience with mixing chemicals to produce sterilized water.

WORK SCHEDULE: This position may occasionally work evenings and some weekend work required.