Animal Care Technician CMU

Children's National Medical Center; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 25,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Paid time off

401(k) plan

Life and disability coverage

Tuition assistance

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Children's National Medical Center is seeking an Animal Care Technician for the Comparative Medicine Unit in Washington, DC. The role focuses on husbandry, sanitation, and daily animal care in a research setting.

Responsibilities include observing animals for health changes, administering prescribed treatments, maintaining cages and rooms, and documenting observations. The position requires lifting up to 50 lbs and standing for long periods.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 1 year experience in laboratory animal care preferred.
• Able to work in a team and communicate professionally.

Responsibilities

• Observe animals daily for signs of health; process incoming shipments and housing per SOPs.
• Administer medication and treatment as prescribed by the veterinarian.
• Provide food and water; ensure daily sanitation of cages and rooms.
• Maintain documentation: room sheets, sanitation logs, inventory and health reports.
• Participate in handling and manipulation training when offered.

Skills

Teamwork

Documentation

Basic computer skills

Animal health observation

Record keeping

Communication

Observation of illness signs

Dexterity

Physical endurance (lift 50 lbs)

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

ALAT certification (Preferred)

Job description

111 Michigan Avenue NorthwestWashington, DC 20010

Kids Are Our Everything.

Department

10443 Animal Facility

Pay Range

$18.40 - $29.14

The Children's National Research Institute Comparative Medicine Unit (CMU) Animal Care Technician provides husbandry and sanitation following standard operating procedures for rodent species; maintains cleanliness of holding rooms and ancillary rooms; observes animals for changes in behavior, dietary habits, and signs of illnesses; observes room environment; receives incoming shipments; maintains per diem inventory; assists in the administration of health treatment prescribed; monitors supplies used in conjunction with duties, cages, cage equipment, and cleaning supplies. The physical demands of this position require an individual with dexterity for handling animals, the ability to lift 50lbs, and the capability to stand for the majority of the work shift. The workplace is a research facility; there is the potential for exposure to chemicals used to sanitize, zoonotic diseases, and the possibility of being bitten, scratched or kicked. Allergic responses may develop to animal dander. Also, the individual must be able to perform all the duties of a CMU Technician if needed. The position is designated as \"essential\" and the individual may be expected to work when normal campus operations are suspended (e.g.: inclement weather) or if there is an emergency impacting the CMU. In addition, staff may be expected to work outside of regular schedule during peak activity periods (e.g.: overtime, weekends). To the extent possible, managers will provide timely notice of modified work schedules. This position provides an opportunity to learn highly specialized laboratory animal research skills and grow within the professional field and the department.

Minimum Education

High School Diploma or GED (Required)

Minimum Work Experience

1 year experience in laboratory animal care (Preferred)

Required Skills/Knowledge

• Documented evidence of specialized experience demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position. (must be supported by a detailed description of experience on a resume).


• Ability to perform within a team-oriented work environment.


• Basic computer skills required, including familiarity with navigating web-based applications.


• Knowledge of the biology and physical characteristics of animals used in research and the ability to recognize signs of illness and abnormalities


• Knowledge regarding the methods and materials used in laboratory work


• Ability to work and communicate professionally with investigators, supervisors and caretakers


• Ability to make accurate observations, keep current, accurate, and complete records


• Ability to read, understand, and interpret written and oral instruction and perform math calculations in conduct of experimental procedures


• Ability to recognize common signs of illness, variations in eating habits, abnormal stool, urine deposits, and unusual behavior.


• Knowledge of laws and regulations affecting the use of animals in biomedical research.


• Knowledge of sanitation, sterilization, and biohazard control techniques.


• Physical demands require a healthy individual with dexterity; manual dexterity is required to handle animals


• Ability to stand for long periods of time (up to 6 hours) and lift 50 lbs.


• Ability to communicate clearly via e-mail, phone, and text message.

Required Licenses and Certifications

• Eligibility for ALAT certification (Preferred)

Functional Accountabilities

Responsible Conduct of Research

• Consistently demonstrates adherence to the standards for the responsible conduct of research.


• Uses research funds and resources appropriately.


• Maintains confidentiality of data as required.


• Meets all annual job-related training and compliance requirements.

Husbandry Operations

• Observes animals daily for signs of health; receives, examines, transfers and properly houses incoming animal shipments according to SOPs.


• Administers medication and treatment as prescribed by the veterinarian.


• Provides adequate food and water for all assigned cages.


• Maintains daily and weekly sanitation of cages, assigned rooms and common areas.

Communication

• Promptly notify management of fluctuations in temperature and humidity.


• Correctly document room sheets, sanitation logs for common areas, inventory, and health reports

Technical Assistance

• Collect diagnostic specimens following SOP.


• Participates in handling and manipulation training when offered.


• Performs procedures as requested.

Benefits That Support You:

• Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, prescription, infertility, and transgender health services.


• Generous paid time off, including vacation accrual from day one, sick leave, holidays, and a personal day.


• Financial wellness support, including a 401(k) plan and healthcare and dependent care spending accounts.


• Employer-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability coverage, with optional supplemental plans.


• Additional perks, including tuition assistance, fitness resources, employee assistance, commuter benefits, and more.

Why Join Us:

• Nationally Recognized Excellence - Consistently ranked among the Top 10 Children's Hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.


• Leading Pediatric Care - One of the largest and most comprehensive children's hospitals in the country, offering nationally ranked specialties and cutting-edge treatments.


• Innovation & Research - A premier academic medical center with a strong commitment to pediatric research, education, and advancing the future of child health.


• Mission-Driven Culture - Dedicated to providing family-centered care while fostering a collaborative, supportive environment for clinical teams.

The disclosed salary range includes the minimum and maximum rates within which Children's National believes an individual's base pay rate will fall for this position. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the maximum of the pay range. The exact pay rate for this position will be based on a variety of factors in alignment with the Children's National compensation philosophy. These factors are legitimate and non-discriminatory including, but not limited to, the current market conditions; organizational needs; the individual's combination of prior work experience, level of education, knowledge, skills, and other qualifications. Children's National is committed to providing a fair and competitive total rewards package to each of our employees. This base salary range does not include our comprehensive benefits package or any additional compensation for which this position may be eligible.

Childrens National Hospital is an equal opportunity employer that evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, identity, or other characteristics protected by law. The \"Know Your Rights\" poster is available here: and the pay transparency policy is available here:Know Your RightsPay Transparency Nondiscrimination Poster.

Please note that it is the policy of Children's National Hospital to ensure a \"drug-free\" work environment: a workplace free from the illegal use, possession or distribution of controlled substances (as defined in the Controlled Substances Act), or the misuse of legal substances, by all staff (management, employees and contractors). Though recreational and medical marijuana are now legal in the District of Columbia, Children's National and its affiliates maintain the right, in accordance with our policy, to enforce a drug-free workplace, including prohibiting recreational or prescribed marijuana.