Cage Wash Technician I - ARC

Nationwide Children's Hospital Inc; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Nationwide Children's Hospital Inc in Columbus is seeking a Cage Wash Technician to support the clean and sterile processing of cages and accessories. You will operate washers and autoclaves, document indicators, and assist with routine maintenance and inventory.

Responsibilities include delivering cages between animal holding rooms, following safety protocols, and supporting onboarding of new staff as needed. Entry-level experience preferred; ALAT certification is a plus.

Qualifications

• Contains and handles cages and cage accessories following SOPs.
• Maintains awareness of infectious agent containment and barrier concepts.
• Complies with federal animal welfare regulations and AAALAC accreditation standards.
• Adheres to animal technician safety precautions.
• Demonstrates effective written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Facilitates cleaning and sterilization of cages and accessories using washers and autoclaves.
• Reports equipment failures promptly to supervisors and facility engineers.
• Delivers cages and accessories to animal holding rooms as needed.
• Performs preventive maintenance on washers, autoclaves, racks and related equipment.
• Assists with onboarding and training of newer staff.

Skills

Containment concepts

AAALAC standards

Safety precautions

Communication skills

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

ALAT certification preferred

Lab Animal Research Support Staff certification preferred

Job description

**Overview:****Job Description Summary:**Facilitates the cleaning and sterilization of cages and cage accessories using mechanical washers and autoclaves and conducts preventative maintenance of cage wash equipment.**Job Description:****Essential Functions:*** Follows all standard operating procedures and guidelines to ensure personal safety, biosecurity, and compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulations.* Processes cages and accessories using mechanical washers and autoclaves. Ensures proper sanitation and sterilization using temperature sensitive indicators and promptly reports failures to supervisory staff and facility engineers.* Delivers cages and cage accessories to and from animal holding rooms.* Maintains inventory of supplies and equipment in the clean and sterile side of cage wash, animal feed rooms, and other areas as needed.* Performs preventive maintenance on washers, autoclaves, racks, automatic watering system, and other caging equipment.* Acts as a trainer or an on-boarding partner for newer staff.**Education Requirement:**High School Diploma or equivalent, required.**Certifications:**ALAT certification or completion of Lab Animal Research Support Staff certification program, preferred.**Skills:*** Familiar with specialized animal housing considerations to include infectious agent containment and barrier concepts.* Working knowledge of federal animal welfare regulations and AAALAC accreditation standards.* Working knowledge of animal technician safety precautions.* Effective written and verbal communication skills.**Experience:**One year of cage wash, laboratory animal, or other relevant experience, preferred.**Physical Requirements:**OCCASIONALLY: Biohazard waste, Blood and/or Bodily Fluids, Chemicals/Medications, Climb stairs/ladder, Communicable Diseases and/or Pathogens, Computer skills, Decision Making, Driving motor vehicles (work required) \\*additional testing may be required, Fume /Gases /Vapors, Hot Temperatures, Interpreting Data, Lifting / Carrying: 21-40 lbs, Lifting / Carrying: 41-60 lbs, Loud Noises, Patient Equipment, Pushing / Pulling: 41-60 lbs, Pushing / Pulling: 61-100 lbs, SittingFREQUENTLY: Bend/twist, Lifting / Carrying: 0-10 lbs, Lifting / Carrying: 11-20 lbs, Machinery, Problem solving, Pushing / Pulling: 0-25 lbs, Pushing / Pulling: 26-40 lbs, Squat/kneel, Standing, WalkingCONTINUOUSLY: Audible speech, Color vision, Depth perception, Flexing/extending of neck, Hand use: grasping, gripping, turning, Hearing acuity, Peripheral vision, Reaching above shoulder, Repetitive hand/arm use, Seeing – Far/near\"The above list of duties is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this classification. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties performed by the individuals so classified, nor is it intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under their supervision. EOE M/F/Disability/Vet\"