Animal Care Technician (NIH/NICHD, Bethesda, MD)

Priority One Services, Inc.; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 42,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Priority One Services, Inc. in Bethesda is seeking an Animal Care Technician to support rodent care and handling under the Floor Supervisor. The role includes maintaining clean vivarium facilities, keeping logs, and assisting investigators in daily operations.

The successful candidate will train and become ALAT certified within one year of employment, communicate effectively with staff, and participate in weekend coverage with possible overtime during emergencies or high-demand periods.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Must have AALAS Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician certification or one year of related experience.
• Excellent command of English, both written and verbal, to communicate with investigators and staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide animal care and husbandry services, including feeding, watering, cage/bedding changes, and sanitation.
• Observe and report abnormalities in animals, equipment, or facilities to supervisor or project manager.
• Maintain accurate room logs and assist with supplies and logistics for investigations.
• Assist in planning and scheduling experiments and deliveries of animals.
• Ensure compliance with NIH SOPs and AAALACi accreditation requirements; adhere to safety and security protocols.
• Maintain cleanliness of animal rooms and related equipment.

Skills

English proficiency

Education

High School Diploma or GED

AALAS Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician certification

Job description

Under the direction of the Floor Supervisor the Animal Care Technician shall have demonstrated knowledge and skill in handling animals, especially rodents. They shall be able to recognize the appearance of abnormal animals and be able to maintain a clean environment for all animals. In addition, this person will also be responsible for assisting investigators, keeping appropriate records, and providing supplies when requested. The Animal Care Technician shall maintain accurate room logs and maintain the cleanliness of the facility.

All employees are expected to perform their duties as assigned, arrive to work at 7:00am and depart at 3:30pm M-F. You will be required to work on the weekends as scheduled. The weekend/ holiday hours are from 7am to 3:30pm (no more than 8 hours per day). In addition you may be expected to work extra hours during an emergency situation or if any unexpected situation arise until work is completed

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have a High School Diploma or GED.
• Must have AALAS Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician certification or one year’ experience in a laboratory animal facility, animal hospital, zoo, or related animal field. All Animal Care Technician’s shall train and become ALAT certified within one year of employment.
• Candidates must possess an excellent command of the English language both written and verbal in order to effectively communicate with investigators and other staff members daily.

• Provide animal care and husbandry services, including but not limited to: feeding and watering animals; handling and restraint of animals, cage and bedding changeouts; cleaning and sanitizing animal rooms, hallways, ancillary equipment; monitoring environmental parameters as required; assessing the presence of vermin and effectiveness of control efforts; performing animal health checks; assisting in the local delivery and transport of animals; assisting in the inspection ad storage of feed and bedding materials; performing minor equipment and facility maintenance.
• Observe and report any abnormalities in animals, equipment, or facilities to the floor supervisor or the Project Manager.
• Perform husbandry, restraint, and environmental monitoring tasks in accordance with established NIH SOPs
• Ensure that procedures and practices involving the program of animal care are appropriate for the continued maintenance of AAALACi accreditation of the NIH facilities.
• Adhere to security procedures and confidentiality requirements.
• Assist, when requested, in experimental planning and logistics and scheduling of projects.
• Participate in the ongoing employee training program, with special emphasis on safety and health training, safe work practices, and use of personal protective equipment.
• Perform job tasks and duties in compliance with NIH “Guide”, facility policies, regulations, safety, and security procedures.
• Perform work in compliance with applicable safety requirements.
• Adhere to equipment sanitation and sterilization schedules.
• Ensure that records, logbooks and other project records are appropriately and contemporaneously maintained.
• Comply with the QA/QC program.
• Recommend changes in operational procedures that might increase the efficiency or effectiveness of work procedures or practices.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Lifting/Moving Requirements – up to 50 pounds. Must be able to push, pull, climb, stoop, kneel, bend, reach, walk, sit, and stand for prolong periods.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Animal care and technical duties will be performed mainly indoors in an animal care vivarium, barrier facility, surgical or test procedure laboratory facility, or animal housing/bedding cleaning and processing areas. Work may require use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in these facilities. Laboratory environment and/or animal care work areas may be prone to hot and humid conditions, and subject to objectionable odors, aerosols, dust, animal dander, and noise.