Cagewasher and Cleaning Technician

Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center is seeking a Facilities Support role on the Torrance campus. The position requires early mornings and weekend shifts, with duties focused on maintaining clean animal care areas, cages, and related equipment.

Responsibilities include operating a cage washer and autoclave, sanitation of rooms, and keeping meticulous records. A GED or high school diploma is required, and the role involves physical activity and adherence to

Qualifications

• Handles cleaning and sanitizing equipment and areas per SOPs.
• Maintains safety and PPE protocols in a lab setting.
• Lifts up to 50 lbs and operates in a heated, noisy environment.

Responsibilities

• Operate cage washer and autoclave for animals and equipment.
• Clean animal rooms and sanitize caging and accessories.
• Maintain detailed records of maintenance and supplies.
• Follow SOPs and safety guidelines; ensure confidential handling of information.

Skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Physical stamina

Safety procedures

Education

GED or High School Diploma

Tools

Rack washer

Autoclave

Tunnel washer

Floor scrubber

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Torrance Campus - Torrance, CA 90502, Position Type: FT 100% - 40 hours per week (FT Benefit), Salary Range: $18.47 - $22.00 Hourly,

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.

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

Any combination equivalent to, but not limited to, the following:

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