Job Description

Animal Research Technician

Location: Athens, GA

Duration: 9+ Months

Location: Colbert, GA- near Athens

Job Description:

Provides animal husbandry and health care in accordance with experimental protocol and Animal Welfare Act/Regulations, NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching, BI AH policies and Veterinary Sciences standard operating procedures, and then fundamental requirements for AAALAC accreditation. In addition, this individual conducts scientific procedures in accordance with study protocols, completes and maintains appropriate documentation associated with all job assignments, and provides equipment sanitation and facility maintenance. This individual will work in a research laboratory setting under Biosafety Level 2 conditions. This person may take on responsibilities for management and leadership of site functions or programs as delegated by the Group Leader, and will provide guidance and training to junior team members as delegated by the Site Veterinarian or Group Leader. In addition, they may serve as site representative on company committees and workgroups.

Complies with applicable regulations and company policies. Maintains records of animal care, preventive medicine, USDA-required, and study protocol-driven documents. Provides animal husbandry and care including provision of feed, water, and enrichment materials. Maintains, adjusts, and repairs animal pens, feeders, drinking systems, and livestock handling equipment. Performs cleaning and sanitation of animal rooms and equipment. Performs as supervisor of junior team members upon delegation from Group Leader or site management.

Restrains and manipulates animals for routine and emergency procedures. Recognizes when animals are sick, distressed or otherwise abnormal and communicates these observations to the Site Veterinarian or Group Leader. Conducts daily animal health and welfare assessments. Administers treatment to animals at the direction of the Site Veterinarian or delegate.

Conducts scientific clinical observations and disease outcome assessments (e.g. lameness, behavior, respiration, fecal consistency, central nervous system affects, etc). Administers experimental treatment articles in accordance with study protocols. Records all scientific information on documents provided with study protocols or standard department forms as appropriate.

Administers and monitors sedation, and conducts euthanasia in accordance with study protocols and at direction of Site Veterinarian or delegate.

Performs advanced site biosecurity functions including water system sanitation, bagged feed and fomite decontamination, environmental auditing sample collection, and in-house bacterial growth assessment.

Conducts clinical R&D sample collection pre- and post-mortem in accordance with study protocols and direction of Investigator or delegate. Sample types may include but are not limited to blood, feces, oral fluids, nasal, tonsillar, or laryngeal swabs, tissues, etc. Assist with necropsies at direction of Site Veterinarian or delegate. Tasks may include surgical opening of body cavities, removal of organs, data collection, etc.

May be assigned management responsibility for programs such as biosecurity, hazardous shipping, supply systems, controlled drug inventories, and other site or multi-site needs at direction of Group Leader. May serve on cross-site or whole-company committees or workgroups, such as as the Biosafety Committee, Environmental Health and Safety (EHSS), etc. May serve as site representative for specific functions such as Biosafety Officer, Chemical Hygiene Officer, etc.

Skills

Experience with avian would be a plus for this position but not a requirement

In addition, must conduct business in such a manner as to comply with all regulations and policies governing BI AH animal care and welfare, scientific procedure, hazardous material management, and biological agent containment as set forth by the USDA, EPA, AAALAC, BI AH management, and other regulatory and accrediting agencies.

Physical and Mental Requirements to Perform Essential Functions:

Physical and Mental Requirements to Perform Essential Functions:

1. Physical Demands / Surroundings - This position requires the ability to work in extreme environments (hot, cold, noisy, humid, etc.) with a high priority focused on biosecurity, attention to detail, and timeliness. Individual must demonstrate persistence and energy in a dynamic, fast-paced, and demanding work environment. Some heavy lifting is required, and must be able to lift up to 70 pounds occasionally and up to 50 pounds frequently. Travel outside of local area is rarely required. Must be willing to work directly with animals during ante-mortem and post-mortem procedures. This person must not have allergies to animals or livestock/feed dust.

2. Visual Demands – Must be able to read and see clearly. Prescription eye wear is allowed.

3. Temperament / Mental Requirements - Must be able to maintain even temperament when working with livestock. Position requires willingness to learn at a rapid pace. Individual must be results oriented, cooperative, and a systematic thinker. Must be able to work in a multi-disciplinary matrix environment and value the importance of teamwork. Must exhibit sound judgment and analytical thinking. This person must demonstrate ability to manage processes, projects, and to function well in a team or committee role

4. Other Proficiencies – Must possess effective verbal and written communication skills in English, sufficient for accurate transmission of information internally. Requires ability to interface and build working relationships with team members at all levels of site organization. Must be proficient in basic computing skills such as e-mail communication and word processing.

5. Attendance / Schedule – Attendance requirements are based upon BI AH general attendance policies. Must be able to work weekends.

These physical and mental requirements represent a sampling of those considered essential to this position. Although this is an accurate representation, it is by no means complete and may be changed or updated as needed.

Education/Qualification Addendum:

This person should either already possess or be willing to obtain Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification, preferably within 18 months of employment. Certification time lines will be dependent upon prior education and experience.

Physical and Mental Requirements to Perform Essential Functions:

1. Physical Demands / Surroundings - This position requires the ability to work in extreme environments (hot, cold, noisy, humid, etc.) with a high priority focused on biosecurity, attention to detail, and timeliness. Individual must demonstrate persistence and energy in a dynamic, fast-paced, and demanding work environment. Some heavy lifting is required, and must be able to lift up to 70 pounds occasionally and up to 50 pounds frequently. Travel outside of local area is rarely required. Must be willing to work directly with animals during ante-mortem and post-mortem procedures. This person must not have allergies to animals or livestock/feed dust.

2. Visual Demands – Must be able to read and see clearly. Prescription eye wear is allowed

3. Temperament / Mental Requirements - Must be able to maintain even temperament when working with livestock. Position requires willingness to learn at a rapid pace. Individual must be results oriented, cooperative, and a systematic thinker. Must be able to work in a multi-disciplinary matrix environment and value the importance of teamwork. Must exhibit sound judgment and analytical thinking. This person must demonstrate ability to manage processes, projects, and to function well in a team or committee role

4. Other Proficiencies – Must possess effective verbal and written communication skills in English, sufficient for accurate transmission of information internally. Requires ability to interface and build working relationships with team members at all levels of site

organization. Must be proficient in basic computing skills such as e-mail communication and word processing.

5. Attendance / Schedule – Attendance requirements are based upon BI AH general attendance policies. Must be able to work weekends

These physical and mental requirements represent a sampling of those considered essential to this position. Although this is an accurate representation, it is by no means complete and may be changed or updated as needed.

Education/Qualification Addendum:

This person should either already possess or be willing to obtain Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification, preferably within 18 months of employment. Certification time lines will be dependent upon prior education and experience.

Education

This position requires an Associate's degree or equivalent degree (Veterinary Technician). In lieu of degree, will accept 2 years' experience in a related field. Such fields may include livestock handling, husbandry, and healthcare, veterinary clinical assistance, and/or scientific animal research. This related experience may be obtained concurrent with the diploma/degree.

during ante-mortem and post-mortem procedures. This person must not have allergies to animals or livestock/feed dust.

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