Cagewash Technician (NIH/NEI, Bethesda, MD)

Priority One Services; Bethesda, Northern (MD, KY); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Priority One Services is seeking a Cagewash Technician in Bethesda, MD. The role involves cleaning and sanitizing cages and equipment with autoclaves and cagewash systems, while adhering to SOPs and safety protocols. The technician will assist with waste disposal, routine maintenance, and log records daily.

Strong English literacy, good interpersonal skills, and teamwork are required. The position supports a laboratory animal care program and may require future AAALAS ALAT certification after

Qualifications

• Requires a High School Diploma or GED.
• Knowledge of cage washing equipment and related systems.
• Ability to work with cleaning and sanitizing chemicals.

Responsibilities

• Clean, sanitize, or sterilize cages and equipment using cagewash machines and related equipment.
• Dispose of waste following university and regulatory requirements.
• Perform minor/preventive maintenance on cages and equipment.
• Move and deliver feed/bedding sacks, cages, and related items.
• Adhere to SOPs and maintain accurate sanitation logs.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Ability to follow instructions

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Autoclaves

Automated cage washing machines

Conveyors

Bedding disposal

Bottle fillers

Rack flush station

Job description

LOCATION: NEI Cagewash Technician, Bethesda, MD

SUPERVISOR: Priority One Management

Summary

Under the direction of the Manager/Supervisor the Cagewash Technicians shall have the physical strength and dexterity to handle cages, racks, pans, feed bags, carts, dollies, and other equipment and be able to maintain a clean environment.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
• Must have some knowledge of the following equipment: autoclaves, automated cage washing machines conveyors, bedding disposal, bottle fillers, and rack flush station, etc.
• Must be able to work with various cleaning and sanitizing chemicals.
• Literate in written and spoken English.
• Must be willing and able to sit and pass the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification at the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) level after one year of employment.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to cooperate with co-workers and function productively with others in accomplishing assigned tasks.
• Ability to function in a customer-client atmosphere, i.e., assists the company in providing positive responses to customer needs and delivery of quality services to the customer.
• Ability to follow through on instructions.

Duties:

Work Assignments are based on work requirements to meet the contract needs, which may include the following duties:

• Clean, sanitize, or sterilize caging or equipment utilizing automated cagewash machines, autoclaves, bottle fillers, and bedding dump stations.
• Dispose of waste in compliance with university and federal/state regulations.
• Minor/preventative maintenance of caging and equipment.
• Movement/delivery of feed/bedding sacks, cages, racks, pans, carts, dollies, and other equipment.
• Assure that procedures and practices involving the program of animal care are appropriate for the establishment and continued maintenance of AAALAC accreditation.
• Adhere to security procedures and confidentiality requirements.
• Ensure performance of activities in adherence with established SOPs.
• 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/duties in compliance with university policies, regulations, safety, and security procedures.
• Perform equipment calibration and Quality Assurance (QA) as directed.
• Compliance with the QA/Quality Control (QC) program.
• Be at assigned work station by prescribed start time.
• Operate Rack washer according to SOP as directed.
• Operate Tunnel washer according to SOP as directed.
• Fill water bottles and build cages according to SOP as directed.
• Clean and sanitize cage wash and support areas as needed during the day, and at the end of day.
• Perform work in compliance with applicable safety requirements, (proper PPE, hearing protection).
• Adherence to equipment sanitation and sterilization schedules (preventive maintenance, chlorine and pH test).
• Assure that records, log books, and other project records are appropriately maintained.
• Observe and report any problems with equipment or the facilities to your supervisor.
• Perform sterilization and environmental monitoring tasks in accordance with established SOPs.
• Complete all required sanitation logs and checklists.
• Any other duties or task delegated by the contract or university management.

Hours: Basic work-week of forty (40) hours per week with the start and the end of the workday dependent on the contract requirements of the workplace. Hours are relatively inflexible and are dictated by the institutional research schedule. Relatively weekend and holiday work is required. Must be reliable in attendance to ensure animals receive appropriate level of care. Potential for call-in to assist facility or animal health related emergencies.

Physical Requirements:

Activity Not Applicable Occasionally Often

Climbing X

Stooping X

Kneeling X

Reaching X

Standing X

Sitting X

Walking X

Pushing X

Pulling X

Talking X

Hearing X

Lifting/Moving Requirements:

Heavy work; lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally; repetitive lifting/manipulation of up to 30 pounds, applying up to 30 pounds constantly to move/roll objects.

Environmental Conditions:

Customarily performs animal care, research management and administration duties in an environmentally controlled work area. However, technical and management duties may be performed in an animal care vivarium, barrier facility, surgical or test procedure laboratory, 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.