GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

The LABORATORY ANIMAL TECHNICIAN 1 provides routine care (food, water, bedding, housing) for a variety of laboratory research animals (e.g., rodents, rabbits, pigs, sheep, cats, dogs, poultry).

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is the first level of a two-level series. It is distinguished from the higher level by reduced responsibility for providing animal care and procedures under specialized projects which require increased attention to research criteria. At this level there is a concentration on routine care and feeding and greater supervision is provided.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Animal Care. Typical tasks: waters and feeds animals (e.g., rodents, rabbits, pigs, cats, dogs, sheep) following posted instructions; removes soiled bedding and debris from animal cages; takes soiled cages to washroom or washes housing area; transfers animals from soiled cages and racks to clean units; replaces soiled bedding with clean bedding materials (e.g., shredded newspaper, shavings, hay); clips toenails and teeth of animals; cleans wounds and scratches and applies salve; checks for parasites and treats as appropriate; applies medications as prescribed by veterinarian (e.g., injections, salves, creams).
2. General Maintenance. Typical tasks: cleans animal areas and rooms (e.g., sweeps and mops floors;) washes counters, sinks, and walls; cleans surfaces with disinfectants; operates mechanical washing equipment (e.g., cage washing machine, power sprayer).
3. Observation and Records. Typical tasks: checks animals daily for signs of abnormal behavior, illness, or injury; reports observed findings to supervisor (e.g., dull coat, dull eyes, listlessness, weight loss); records requested environmental data (e.g., room temperatures, lighting); signs area work sheet for work performed; fills out death record on dead animal and bags and removes animal as instructed.
4. Miscellaneous. Typical tasks: may perform some but not all of the following tasks: maintains a breeding colony of small animals and records data on births and deaths; drives truck to laboratory research animal sites around campus to tend to animals; autoclaves materials for aseptic bedding; euthanizes animals by placing them in C02 gas chamber or by injection (e.g., rats, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits); places identification tags on animals' ears; helps in the loading and unloading of animals.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS

Employees in this class have occasional contact with research investigators and research staff through written instructions or in-person contact in order to receive instructions on animal care.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Employees in this class receive general supervision from a Laboratory Animal Technician Supervisor or a research assistant who provides work assignments, verbally and in writing. Work is reviewed by informal observation and upon completion for conformance to agency procedures, policies, and established timeliness. Employees in this class use procedure sheets to perform their jobs and have familiarity with rules and regulations concerning the care and welfare of research animals.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Positions in this class are primarily found in higher education institutions and facilities working in animal research. They require the willingness to maintain a proper attitude toward the purpose of animal research and the treatment and use of animals in that environment. Some positions require the willingness to perform or assist in animal euthanasia.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Six months of experience caring for animals (e.g. watering, feeding, bedding, housing, checking animals health, etc.).