Job Description

Position Description:

Under the direction of others, serve on teams of primary caregivers who maintain and promote the health and well-being of research animals by providing comprehensive husbandry, basic medical care, and facility support services to facilitate successful achievement of the BRC's mission in alignment with the BRC's vision and values and in a manner consistent with established policies, procedures, and regulations.

Primary Functions

• Perform daily observations of animals and their environment to assess their health status and detect abnormal conditions. Document and report findings consistent with established procedures. Administer prescribed treatments and other interventions, which may include animal euthanasia. Maintain relevant records.
• Perform essential, daily animal care to include cleaning animal enclosures, providing clean caging, bedding, and enrichment, and supplying feed and water.
• Handle and restrain animals as needed by using appropriate techniques to allow for the care and research to be performed in a safe and humane manner.
• Sanitize animal rooms, cages, equipment, corridors, and support areas using appropriate techniques per standard operating procedures. Operate rack washers, tunnel washers, bedding dispensers, vacuum bedding disposal system, autoclaves, and floor cleaning machines. Empty garbage dumpster and operate trash compactor. Properly package waste materials to be sent for incineration.
• Receive incoming animal shipments and distribute animals into assigned rooms.
  • Monitor environment and/or machinery and equipment by obtaining, documenting, and comparing data against established standards. Maintain records by collecting and recording data to facilitate management of the facility.
  • Cross-train in all areas of the facility.
    • Assist with the receipt, stocking, and maintenance of supply inventories.
    • Maintain routine recordkeeping of such items as environmental conditions, animal inventory, and daily husbandry activities.
    • Participate in unit/department education to become more knowledgeable in research animal science.
    • Assist in providing on-going compliance with policy and procedures and provide feedback in the development of policies and procedures. Actively participate in continuous improvement. Assist with special projects under the direction of others as needed.
      • Assist with on-the job training of less experienced AHTs under the direction of others as needed.
      • Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge - Skills - Abilities

Willingness to work hard and be open to learning new tasks. Ability to work productively in a cooperative team setting. Exhibits personal accountability in completion of tasks. Excellent communication skills. Ability to closely follow established procedures. Strong attention to detail, critical thinking, problem solving, accuracy and attentiveness to detail required. Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Word and mobile device operation. Ability to adapt to changing priorities. Compassion, patience, and endurance.

Preferred Schedule:
Full time, 40 hours per week, scheduled weekends and daily overtime as needed required

Position Requirements:

Specifications

Minimum Required Education: High School Diploma

Minimum Required Experience: Six months

Preferred Education: Associate degree or higher

Preferred Experience: Previous animal handling

Field: Science or veterinary related

Certification: Assistant Lab Animal Technician (ALAT) certification at time of hire is preferred

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Physical Requirements

Work requires movement of feed, bedding, cages, and other equipment. Requires regular pushing, pulling and lifting of heavy objects. Must climb, balance, stoop, kneel and crouch, and stand or walk continuously. Must be able to manipulate equipment using both hands. Perceive attributes of objects such as size and shape using fingers and hands. Many repetitive motions are required, including wrist rotations, stoops, body turns, reaching overhead and lifts.

Risk Potential

Frequent exposure to hazards such as dust, fumes, or extreme temperatures, airborne or blood borne pathogens, extreme temperatures, or animal allergens. Possibility of exposure to bites, scratches, and zoonotic diseases. May be required to work in areas where biohazards or radioactive substances are used.

Sensory Acuity

Ability to detect and translate speech or other communication required. May occasionally require the ability to distinguish colors and perceive relative distances between objects. Must have sufficient visual acuity to perform activities such as repeated close visual inspection involving observing small defects and objects, minor physical changes in animals, viewing a computer terminal, extensive reading, and operation of machinery.

Work Environment

Occasional exposure to dust, noise, temperature changes, or contact with water or other liquids. Exposure to animal wastes, chemicals, acids, odors, loud noises, heat, humidity, and wet surfaces is to be expected. Work is performed in an environmentally controlled environment.

MCW as an Equal Opportunity Employer and Commitment to Non-Discrimination
The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status. Employees, students, applicants, or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.

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