Animal Care Technician I

Boston Children’s Hospital; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Boston Children's Hospital is seeking a Laboratory Animal Technician to support animal care operations for mice in a research setting. You will perform basic daily care and husbandry following SOPs and regulatory guidelines, ensuring clean facilities and accurate documentation.

This role requires attention to detail, the ability to lift up to 50 lbs, and willingness to be fit tested for respirators. Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm, on-site.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required.
• Ability to read and follow written instructions.
• Attention to detail is essential for documentation.

Responsibilities

• Assemble and prepare animal cages and related equipment.
• Operate cage washers, tunnel washers, and autoclaves.
• Maintain clean, sanitized work areas and document activities.
• Monitor health and well-being of mice and rats and report issues.
• Identify overcrowded cages and notify appropriate staff.

Skills

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Autoclaves

Cage washers

Tunnel washers

Bottle washers

Job description

Position Summary:

This position assists and provides support to the animal care operations. Responsible for the basic daily care and husbandry of laboratory animals (mice) housed in a research environment, as outlined in ARCH’s standard operating procedures and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulatory guidelines Animal Welfare Act, USDA, AAALAC, and IACUC. Attention to detail when observing animals and completing documentation is necessary as employee error could cause catastrophic results to investigator research; the animals are extremely valuable and are sensitive research models. This position assists and provides technical support for quality assurance functions.

Hours of the position are Monday - Friday 7:30am-4:00pm.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assembling and preparing animal cages/racks and related equipment for cage change outs, or newly arriving animals according to instructions
• Operating equipment such as tunnel washers, cage washers, bottle washers and autoclaves
• Maintaining clean, orderly and sanitized work areas on a regular basis and completing area documentation
• Maintaining the health and well being of laboratory animals by providing a stable sanitized environment with quality food and water, and completing area documentation
• Basic daily care and husbandry of laboratory animals housed in a research environment
• Performing and recording daily animal health observations, communicating adverse findings to the veterinarian technicians to ensure animal care standards are in keeping with applicable laws and regulatory guidelines (Animal Welfare Act, USDA, AAALAC, and IACUC)
• Identifying basic animal care issues such as overcrowded cages, and notifying a Technician II or III

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• A high school level of education is required

Experience:

• The ability to work directly with mice and rats, with no preexisting allergies to animals, hair or dander
• The ability to read and understand written instructions is required
• Attention to detail when observing animals and completing documentation is required
• The ability to lift 50 lbs., box carry 30 lbs, and push or pull up to 100 lbs, amongst other physical tasks
• The willingness to be fit tested and wear a N95 mask (by being clean shaven for proper and necessary fit) or alternatively if necessary a PAPR (Powered Air Purifying Respirator) as required in specific locations within ARCH throughout the workday