Animal Technician

Integrated Resources Inc.; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job description

Integrated Resources, Inc., is led by a seasoned team with combined decades in the industry. We deliver strategic workforce solutions that help you manage your talent and business more efficiently and effectively. Since launching in 1996, IRI has attracted, assembled and retained key employees who are experts in their fields. This has helped us expand into new sectors and steadily grow.

Job Description

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY
The Laboratory Technician II performs a wide variety of routine tasks to provide required support for daily laboratory operations in the Toxicology division under the direction of his/her Manager/Study Director.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
The Laboratory Assistant will perform a wide variety of routine tasks to provide required support for daily laboratory operations. He/she will complete these tasks according to defined SOPs and generally accepted professional/industry standards. He/she will maintain an understanding of principles and applications of the organization’s services.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Responsible for following written/oral instructions consistently and accurately.
2. Follows SOPs and relevant compliance regulations in regards to safety procedures, documentation and scientific responsibility.
3. Performs general lab maintenance including the documentation of monthly equipment maintenance charts as well as routine cleaning and decontamination of laboratory equipment.
4. Prepares and maintains stock solutions for assay preparation.
5. Demonstrate consistently good communication and interpersonal skills with employees, management and clients (where applicable).
6. Uses scientific equipment and instrumentation, computer systems.
7. Other duties as assigned.

EXPANDED JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Provide housing, water and food appropriate to specific animals in accordance with research protocols, the Animal Welfare Act and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
2. Change cages, feeders, pans and racks for all species according to protocol and SOP.
3. Check water lixits on animals racks and flush racks daily.
4. Clean animal rooms daily (wipe down door jambs, mop floors, remove trash, etc.).
5. Remove dirty cages, feeders, water bottles, pans and racks to the dirty side of the cage wash area.
6. Dump dirty bedding from cages and pans under filtered hood.
7. Prepare dirty bedding for disposal in conventional trash or box the dirty bedding for incineration.
8. Prepare animal carcasses for incineration.
9. Operate and maintain the cage and rack washing equipment in accordance with approved procedures to ensure clean, sanitized cage equipment is available and that the washing equipment continues to function most effectively.
10. Perform maintenance on the automatic watering system by changing water.
11. Change the temperature and humidity wheels as scheduled and maintain other animal facility equipment.
12. Report maintenance or other facility problems to supervisors.
13. Receive feed and bedding store in feed and bedding rooms and rotate feed according to milling dates.
14. Bed and stack cages neatly in storage areas.
15. Prepare cages, feeders, pans and racks for room changes.
16. Clean common areas such as the clean and dirty sides of cage wash, hallways, break area and necropsy room daily.
17. Assist receiving new animals. Ensure that they are suitable for use on Study; report any deficiencies or abnormalities to the supervisor.
18. Properly identify all species of animals by sex.
19. Observe animals for clinical signs of illness.
20. Completes Facility Walk Through.
21. Checks eye wash stations weekly to ensure they are being flushed and documented as required.
22. Routinely lift 50 pounds of feed and bedding. Lifting will not be above the shoulders.
23. Must be able to handle large animal racks.
24. Must follow all regulations including but not limited to GLP, SOW, SOPs and USDA Animal Welfare Act.
25. Some weekend work is required.

Qualifications

• BA/VS in scientific discipline with 0-2 years’ experience
• AA degree in scientific discipline with 1-3 years’ experience
• Or Equivalent scientific experience