Animal Health Technician I

The Medical College of Wisconsin, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Medical College of Wisconsin is seeking an Assistant Lab Animal Technician to join our animal care team. Under supervision, you will perform daily husbandry, health observations, and basic medical interventions, including potential euthanasia, to support research animals in a humane and compliant manner.

You will maintain precise records, assist with supply management, and participate in ongoing training and policy development within a clinical research environment at MCW.

Qualifications

• Minimum required education: High School Diploma
• Minimum required experience: Six months
• Preferred experience: Associate degree or higher
• ALAT certification at time of hire is preferred

Responsibilities

• Perform daily observations of animals and their environment to assess health status and detect abnormal conditions.
• Document and report findings consistent with established procedures.
• Administer prescribed treatments and other interventions, including animal euthanasia.
• Maintain relevant records and daily husbandry activities.
• Care for animals: clean enclosures, provide bedding and enrichment, supply feed and water.
• Handle and restrain animals using approved techniques to ensure safety and humane care.
• Sanitize animal rooms, cages, equipment, corridors, and support areas per SOPs.
• Operate rack washers, tunnel washers, bedding dispensers, waste systems, autoclaves, and cleaning machinery.
• Receive incoming animal shipments and distribute animals into rooms.
• Monitor environment and equipment, collect data, and compare to standards.
• Cross-train in all facility areas and assist with supply inventory.
• Assist in training less experienced staff and participate in policy development.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job description

Summary

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 Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.

Qualifications

• Appropriate experience may be substituted for education on an equivalent basis.
• Minimum Required Education: High School Diploma
• Minimum Required Experience: Six months
• Preferred Experience: Associate degree or higher
• Required Certification/Licensure(s): Assistant Lab Animal Technician (ALAT) certification at time of hire is preferred

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.

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.

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.

Why MCW?

• Outstanding Healthcare Coverage, including but not limited to Health, Vision, and Dental.
• Flexible Spending options
• 403B Retirement Package
• Competitive Vacation and Paid Holidays offered
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
• Pet Insurance
• On campus Fitness Facility, offering onsite classes
• Additional discounted rates on items such as: Select cell phone plans, local fitness facilities, Milwaukee recreation and entertainment etc.

For a brief overview of our benefits see: Benefits Overview For a full list of positions see: MCW Careers At MCW

Values

• Caring
• Collaborative
• Curiosity
• Inclusive
• Integrity
• Respect

At MCW all of our endeavors, from our internal operations to our interactions with our partners, are driven by our shared organizational values: Caring – Collaborative – Curiosity – Inclusive – Integrity – Respect. We are committed to fostering an inclusive community that values diversity in backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives through merit‑based processes and in alignment with all applicable laws. We believe that embracing human differences is critical to realize our vision of a healthier world, and we recognize that a healthy and thriving community starts from within. Our values define who we are, what we stand for and how we conduct ourselves at MCW. If you believe in embracing individuality and working together according to these principles to improve health for all, then MCW is the place for you. For more information, please visit our institutional website. 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. About Us Together, we can build a healthier world. A student, an educator, a scientist and a community leader — alone, they can do many things. Together, the question isn’t what they can do, but what can’t they. The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) brings together the most inquisitive, passionate minds in science, medicine, education and community engagement to tackle today’s toughest challenges in health and society. Academic medicine is at the center of where scientists, physicians and students work hand-in-hand with the community to ask the most important questions and fuel the cycle of innovation that shapes the future of medicine. Medical College of Wisconsin The tireless pursuit of knowledge and the power of academic medicine is at the core of everything we do at MCW. Bringing together the world’s top scientists and clinicians, inspired students and invested communities, we are driven to solve the most complex challenges in health and society. With around 1,600 full-time and part-time faculty and approximately 3,500 full-time employees, MCW is home to a diverse group of thought leaders working in collaboration to pioneer pathways to a healthier world and drive a continuous cycle of life‑changing discovery.