Animal Care Technician I

Boston Children's Hospital; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Boston Children's Hospital is seeking an Animal Care Technician to support laboratory animal care (mice) in a research setting. You will perform basic daily care and husbandry, observe animals, record health notes, and assist with QA-related tasks, following ARCH SOPs and regulatory guidelines (AWA, USDA, AAALAC, IACUC).

Workweek is Monday to Friday, 7:30 am–4:00 pm. You must be able to lift 50 lbs, read and follow written instructions, and complete documentation.

Qualifications

• Requires high school education and ability to understand written instructions.
• Attention to detail in observing animals and recording data.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and perform physically demanding tasks.
• Willingness to be fit tested and wear N95 or PAPR as required.

Responsibilities

• Assemble and prepare animal cages, racks, and equipment for cage changes or new arrivals.
• Operate tunnel washers, cage washers, bottle washers and autoclaves.
• Maintain clean, sanitized work areas and complete documentation.
• Maintain animal health and welfare by providing a stable environment with quality food and water, and document observations.
• Perform basic daily care and husbandry of mice housed in a research setting.
• Record daily health observations and communicate issues to veterinary staff.
• Identify overcrowded cages and notify a Technician II or III.

Skills

Attention to detail

Ability to follow written instructions

Physical stamina

Animal handling tolerance

Education

High school diploma

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

The posted pay range is Boston Children's reasonable and good-faith expectation for this pay at the time of posting.

Any base pay offer provided depends on skills, experience, education, certifications, and a variety of other job-related factors. Base pay is one part of a comprehensive benefits package that includes flexible schedules, affordable health, vision and dental insurance, child care and student loan subsidies, generous levels of time off, 403(b) Retirement Savings plan, Pension, Tuition and certain License and Certification Reimbursement, employee discounts and discounted commuter benefits at certain locations. Experience the benefits of passion and teamwork.