Research Vivarium Husbandry

Planet Pharma; Stilwell (KS); On-site; USD 22,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Planet Pharma in Stilwell, KS, is seeking an entry-level vivarium assistant to help maintain clean housing for laboratory animals and assist with prep of study materials.

Duties include cleaning cages, operating cage wash equipment, receiving and storing supplies, and assisting with environmental enrichment; no prior experience required. The role requires physical stamina, ability to lift up to 50 pounds, and willingness to work evenings or weekends; maximum pay rate is $19 per hour.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required or preferred.
• No prior experience required.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work in wet/humid environments.

Responsibilities

• Clean and sanitize animal cages and related items.
• Operate and maintain automated cage wash equipment.
• Prepare housing for new animals and assist with receiving animals.
• Report equipment repair needs to maintenance staff.
• Sanitize floors, walls and surfaces in cage wash areas and labs.
• Maintain cleanliness of cage wash area and storage areas.
• Perform animal care tasks such as changing liners and sanitizing rooms.
• Receive, store and distribute animal husbandry supplies.
• Perform basic troubleshooting and calibration of instruments in assigned area.
• Prepare environmental enrichment items (edible and durable).
• Operate basic lab equipment and perform routine maintenance.
• Prepare study and colony supplies as needed.

Skills

Problem solving

Verbal & written communication

Flexible hours

Time management

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Job Summary:
Responsible for assisting in vivarium operations activities which facilitate clean housing and care for laboratory animals. Also responsible for helping assist in the preparation of materials which enable study activity completion.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Clean and sanitize animal cages and related environmental items.
• Perform daily routine maintenance checks on the automated cage wash machines.
• Prepares appropriate housing for receipt of new animals; may assist with receiving animals.
• Report the need for equipment repair (cages, racks, cagewash machines, etc.) to the appropriate personnel.
• Sanitize floors, walls and other surfaces in the automatic cage wash area and in other areas of the lab.
• Maintain a clean cage wash area.
• Maintain storage area in an organized fashion.
• Complete animal care technical duties such as changing liners and sanitizing animal room walls and floors.
• Receive, store, and distribute animal husbandry supplies.
• Perform limited troubleshooting and calibration of instruments as appropriate for assigned area.
• Prepare environmental enrichment items (edible and durable).
• Operate basic lab equipment and perform routine maintenance as needed.
• Prepare study and colony supplies as needed.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

• Demonstrated ability to problem solve, make quick decisions, communicate decisions effectively.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing at all levels inside and outside the organization.
• Ability to work extended hours beyond normal work schedule to include, but not limited to evenings, weekends, extended shifts, and/or extra shifts; sometimes on short notice
• Ability to work under specific time constraints.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and lift.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job regularly requires close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Must be able to regularly lift and manipulate up to 50 pounds on a repetitive basis each day.
• Must be able to regularly manipulate objects on shelves from one and one-half to six and one-half feet above the floor on a repetitive basis each day.
• Must be able to use a broom and mop to sanitize floors on a repetitive basis each day.
• Must be able to regularly push wheeled carts weighing up to 800 pounds on a continuous basis each day.
• Duties require regular standing for an average of eight hours a day.
• Must be able to regularly read, understand, and follow written procedures.
• Must be able to occasionally work in spaces as narrow as 2 feet in width.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high. Noise protection devices are provided for use in the cage wash area.
• Must be able to regularly endure wet, humid, and hot conditions.
• Must be able to wear a respirator where required by OSHA regulations.
• Works near or with caustic chemicals.
• Regularly exposed to rodent dander.
• The employee is occasionally exposed to live animals with risk of exposure to allergens, zoonotic disease, and biohazards.

Qualifications:

• Education: High School diploma or General Education Degree (G.E.D) preferred.
• Experience: No experience necessary
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.

The max pay rate is 19/hr for this position