Cagewasher and Cleaning Technician

The Lundquist Institute; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center is seeking a dedicated facility technician to maintain clean animal care areas and operate sanitation equipment in a laboratory environment. You will run cage washers and autoclaves, manage waste per SOPs, and assist with supplying materials while documenting maintenance and testing results.

The role requires the ability to work early shifts, lift up to 50 lbs, and follow all safety and PPE protocols in a busy animal

Qualifications

• Experience operating cleaning and sanitizing equipment such as rack washers and autoclaves.
• GED or high school diploma required.
• Ability to follow PPE and safety protocols.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work in a lab animal facility.

Responsibilities

• Maintain animal care areas in a clean and sanitary condition.
• Operate cage washer and sterilizer to sanitize equipment.
• Dispose of waste according to SOPs.
• Assist in receiving and storing materials and supplies.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings as needed.
• Maintain detailed records of maintenance and testing.
• Work with minimal supervision and meet productivity standards.
• Overtime may be required.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA standards and safety guidelines.
• Perform related responsibilities as required.

Skills

PPE compliance

Safety procedures

Physical stamina

Team collaboration

Quality standards

Record keeping

Education

GED or High School Diploma

Tools

Rack washers

Autoclaves

Tunnel washers

Floor scrubbers

Job description

About Us

The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (TLI) is Los Angeles County's preeminent independent, not-for-profit biomedical research hub, excelling in transforming scientific breakthroughs into practical therapies. With a $90 million annual budget, TLI is home to over 150 investigators and 500 staff, advancing 600 projects in areas such as Infection and Immunity, Cancer, and Women's Health. Founded in 1952, the Institute continues to train physician-scientists and manage healthcare programs for 60,000 underserved families throughout South Los Angeles.

The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (TLI) is Los Angeles County's preeminent independent, not-for-profit biomedical research hub, excelling in transforming scientific breakthroughs into practical therapies. With a $90 million annual budget, TLI is home to over 150 investigators and 500 staff, advancing 600 projects in areas such as Infection and Immunity, Cancer, and Women's Health. Founded in 1952, the Institute continues to train physician-scientists and manage healthcare programs for 60,000 underserved families throughout South Los Angeles.

Responsibilities

• Maintain animal care areas in a clean and sanitary condition by scrubbing down the ceilings, walls, and floors at prescribed intervals following departmental procedures.
• Clean heating-ventilating and air conditioning system louvers, grills, and ducts at prescribed intervals following departmental procedures.
• Operate a cage washer for cleaning and sanitization of cages, racks, trays, and pans.
• Operate sterilizer machine to sterilize caging equipment for the animals.
• Wash and sterilize water bottles, sipper tubes, and stoppers.
• Clean and sanitize all animal caging and accessory equipment.
• Dispose of waste from the facility following appropriate SOP's.
• Process clean caging and accessory equipment appropriately.
• Assist in sanitation and decontamination in all areas of the facility (floors, walls, sinks, doors, door frames, etc.).
• Understands and follows all approved SOP's (Standard Operating Procedures), safety procedures and Quality Assurance guidelines.
• Maintains detailed records of maintenance schedules, detergent and disinfectant use, cage washer and autoclave performance tests.
• Performs preventive maintenance and minor repairs on autoclaves and cage washers.
• Report any abnormal conditions of the animal facility or immediate vicinity to supervisory staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Assists in receiving and storing materials, food and supplies.
• Transports caging supplies between animal rooms and cage wash rooms.
• Takes the necessary precautions, in keeping with OSHA standards and other applicable federal and state regulations, when working with hazardous chemicals, materials, animals and power equipment.
• Uses personal protective equipment as required.
• Performs related responsibilities as required.
• Attend and productively participate in staff meetings and trainings as needed.
• Maintain high degree of responsibility for client confidentiality.
• Maintain a pleasant, courteous, tactful attitude with all contacts.
• Work with minimal supervision in exercising initiative in organizing and completing daily tasks.
• Solve minor problems by using judgment based on knowledge of Institute policies and department practices and procedures.
• Meet established productivity and task management standards for assigned duties.
• Overtime is a condition of employment and may be required based on the needs of the Institute.
• Responsible for other tasks as may be required for efficient operation of the department.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Operate mechanical equipment: cage washer, autoclave, janitorial, etc.
• Clean caging and feeding equipment and any other equipment.
• Perform cleaning and sanitation of animal rooms.
• Keep accurate and complete records.
• Feel comfortable working around laboratory animals.
• Be able to work alone and as a member of team.
• Ability to make good judgement calls.
• Work well under pressure.
• Interact in a professional manner.
• Attention to detail is critical for this position.
• Early morning shift and weekends.
• Have physical stamina to be on feet all day and operate in a noisy, hot, humid cage wash environment.
• Ability to understand and follow detailed oral and written instructions.
• Ability to read and write in order to maintain records, read instructions, labels, etc.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends and holidays.
• Ability to work under environmental conditions that require the use of safety equipment.
• Ability to interact and work with faculty, students, staff, and visitors in a respectful and courteous manner.
• Stand, walk, or otherwise move about campus on a continuous basis.
• Lift, carry or otherwise move and position objects and materials weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to ascend/descend stairs on a regular basis

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience

• Experience in operating a variety of cleaning, sanitizing equipment, including rack washers, autoclaves, tunnel washers, floor scrubbers etc.

Education

• GED or High School Diploma

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Mandatory wear and work in personal protective clothing and equipment
• The ability to lift/push/pull a minimum of 50 lbs.
• The ability to maneuver large, cumbersome equipment.
• The ability to withstand sustained periods of physical activity (such as standing, bending, walking or stooping).
• The ability to work safely with chemical disinfectants, handle some unpleasant elements and tolerate normal odors/airborne particulate matter routinely encountered in a laboratory animal facility.
• Ability to interact in an appropriate and professional manner with others.

Physical and/or Mental Requirements

• The employee will bend, reach, and push and pull while working with the animals.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs.

Position requires a background check and health clearance

Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action/Drug-Free Workplace