Laboratory Animal Technician at Alakaina Foundation Family of Companies

The Alaka`ina Foundation Family of Companies is looking for a Laboratory Animal Technician to support our government customer located in Fort Detrick, Maryland.

***one time sign-on bonus in the amount of $1,000.00.  Relocation assistance is negotiable.***

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Reviews, comprehends and complies with all SOPs and quality assurance standards pertaining to specific areas.  Cares for and maintains laboratory animals in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, as well as, NIH policies and Guidelines and other pertinent regulations and policies.
• Works closely with Clinical Veterinarian(s) and Research Support Specialist(s) to perform daily health assessments, perform experimental manipulations and provide animal treatments as instructed by Clinical Veterinarian(s).
• Performs technical functions required by research protocols utilizing rodents and nonhuman primates in infectious disease research.
• Maintain individual health records for nonhuman primates and maintain accurate records of animal importations, health observations, and housing or support areas as required by Institute and facility.
• Communicating with veterinary support staff, facility veterinarian(s), investigators and other staff members regarding the health of animals and experimental manipulations.
• Performs daily colony health examinations and clinical observations of sick animals prior to reporting adverse findings to Clinical Veterinarian(s) and Research Support Specialists.
• Provides technical support (e.g. animal handling and restraint, tail vein injections, collecting blood and other samples, perform injections, treatments, surgical preparation and post-operative observations and assist with research procedures as directed).
• Familiarity with and the ability to use various forms of anesthetics and their means of application, including gas and injectable anesthetics.
• Assist with various imaging modalities (e.g. CT/PET, CT/SPECT, MRI and XRAY) by providing patient monitoring and experimental manipulations                                     
• Actively interacts with facility veterinarian(s) and investigators as required to solve customer requests, inquiries, and complaints and to provide technical assistance.
• Assists with training animal facility staff in husbandry and technical procedures.
• Performs animal husbandry - which can include feed, watering, and cleaning cages as required. Provide environmental enrichment and/or behavioral assessments.
• Prepares and submits written reports, charts, logs and inventories as requested by management.  
• Provides quality assurance to include animal health surveillance, monitoring of the effectiveness of facility sanitation, cage washing and autoclaving procedures, monitoring of incoming animal shipments for container integrity and animal health, monitor the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), internal facility reports for monitoring deviations from pre-established parameters, other quality assurance services as deemed necessary (e.g., sentinel and cull animal submission) by the Project Officer.
• Operates equipment and uses supplies according to safety guidelines; performs general housekeeping and adheres to safety procedures. Complies with safety policies and procedures and MSDS guidelines, including those related to biohazards and radioactive substances.
• Assists with the receipt, stocking and maintenance of supply inventories.
• Maintains required attendance level and adheres to work schedule in accordance with required staffing levels in order to ensure that assigned duties are completed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED DEGREE/EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required. 

[Possession of an Associate of Arts (AA) degree in Veterinary Technology or equivalent college level program is desired.]

(Bachelors degree preferred)

• Required AALAS certification at the LAT level.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Must be certified at the Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) level and have at least two years of experience in a laboratory animal facility performing animal husbandry and clinical care.
• Must be proficient in obtaining blood and other samples from rodents, rabbits, and nonhuman primates.
• Responsible for maintaining the animal health quality assurance program to include the sentinel animal program; maintaining animal health records; performing routine animal health checks; reporting abnormalities to the investigator and attending veterinarian; performing prescribed treatments; and fulfilling technical requests of researchers.
• Experience in specialty areas such as nonhuman primate, rodent and rabbit facilities management, various technical procedures, barrier management, hazard containment, and data management are desirable.
• Must be able to work in BSL-4 setting with select agents
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  

REQUIRED CITIZENSHIP AND CLEARANCE:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
• A Tier 3 Security Clearance will be required.

Employment Type: Full Time
Years Experience: 1 - 3 years
Salary: $01 - $02 Annual
Bonus/Commission: No