Lab Animal Technician 1

Department Overview

The Oregon National Primate Center (ONPRC) is located 12 miles west of the OHSU main campus, and sits on 162 acres of land featuring forested areas, research and administration buildings, indoor and outdoor animal housing, and 2-mile perimeter walking path. Our mission is to improve human health and the quality of life through the support of nonhuman primate research programs that advance our knowledge of the causes, preventions, treatments, and cures of debilitating diseases.

Function/Duties of Position

The purpose of the Laboratory Animal Technician 1 is to provide husbandry, health care and research support for laboratory animals maintained at the Oregon National Primate Research Center. The primary function of this position is to learn and master the ability to perform the manual and technical tasks directly related to the care of, and research support for the use of, laboratory animals. 

The area of work assignment and specific tasks will vary, depending on animal population and care requirements, service requirements, staffing needs and the individual's knowledge. The Division of Comparative Medicine (DCM) houses approximately 5,300 non-human primates, and approximately 1,500 small laboratory animals, on a daily basis. The animals are housed in 8 buildings and 17 outdoor enclosures, on the ONPRC/OHSU campus. There are approximately 60 employees who are responsible for providing care of research animals.

• With the proper training, conduct routine animal husbandry procedures, including but not limited to:
  • Routine feeding and watering of animals.
  • Capture, restraint, and transportation of animals in support of veterinary or investigative procedures.
  • Handle, restraint, identification and sexing all common varieties of Laboratory animals.
  • Routine sanitization of animal primary housing, shelters, equipment and facilities. Includes sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, washing and disinfection of floors, walls, ceilings, sinks and other equipment.
  • Assist with animal health management procedures, including animal treatment and diagnostic procedures such as weighing, TB testing, and blood collections.
  • Assist with facility maintenance.
  • Assist with unloading and storing feed (feed bags weigh 25-50lbs. each).
  • Assist with group-housed animal capture ("roundup") and processing.
  • Assist with care of animals in the nursery.
  • Assist with animal care and environmental enrichment activities that may be required on weekends, during non-regular working hours, or on an overtime basis.
  • Inventory and request supplies.
• Observe animals in all housing configurations, recognize abnormalities in physical condition or behavior, and report and record observations.
• Recognize and report problems with facilities (i.e., inappropriate room temperatures, leaking or broken water pipes, plugged drains, damaged surfaces, etc.). Perform simple facility maintenance tasks, including but not limited to replacing drinking water valves, simple surface preparation and painting, replace lighting tubes or bulbs, etc.
• Operate equipment necessary to support the animal care and support mission of the Division, including but not limited to cage washers, floor scrubbers, autoclaves, pressures washers, scales and veterinary care instruments.
• Interact with the research investigative staff to accomplish their needs in a professional manner, with service-oriented attitude.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of the care of animals can be demonstrated through care of household pets, farm animals, or 4-H animals.
• Ability to read, write, and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and/or written formats with both technical and professional staff.
• Ability to assist with research support at the level that the individual is trained.
• Research support must be performed in a professional manner and will require contact with investigative staff.
• Ability to perform general animal husbandry duties and assist investigative staff with needs as requested. 
• A valid Driver's License and the ability to drive DCM/ONPRC vehicles on and off campus. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Advancement requires High School Diploma or GED; and master of principles and concepts that are taught on the job.
• 6 months’ related experience with animals, OR Certification at the Assistant laboratory animal Technician level (ALAT) OR 2 years of indirect laboratory animal experience.
• Basic knowledge of the care of animals can be demonstrated through care of household pets, farm animals, or 4-H animals.

Additional Details

Regular work schedule is 7:30am - 4:00pm and includes weekends with opportunity for voluntary and mandatory overtime and holiday work.

Benefits 

• Healthcare for full-time employees covered 100% and 88% for dependents.
• $50K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee.
• Two separate above market pension plans to choose from.
• Vacation - up to 200 hours per year dependent on length of service.
• Sick Leave - up to 96 hours per year.
• 9 paid holidays per year.
• Substantial Tri-Met and C-Tran discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Childcare service discounts.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Employee discounts to local and national businesses.

Working Conditions

• Daily work may involve moving on wet and/or slick surfaces, through narrow corridors between rows of cages, and climbing stairs to corral observation towers.
• Perform work in covered areas that are not environmentally controlled.
• Work in areas where there is risk of exposure to zoonotic agents through injury, by direct contact with animals or their tissues and body fluids, or by contact with equipment contaminated by animals or their tissues and body fluids.
• Work where there is risk of exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals and sanitizing chemicals.
• Work in areas or in conditions that require fit testing and use of an N-95 respirator. 

Physical Demands and Equipment

• Able to lift and carry objects weighing up to 23kg (50lbs.), and lift objects weighing approximately 19kg (42lbs.) to approximately shoulder height.
• Able to push and pull heavy wheeled equipment such as cage racks and loaded carts.
• Able to move unassisted through various animal housing areas located in several separate buildings, indoor and outdoor.
• Possess sufficient dexterity and manual skills to safely perform (or learn to perform) basic animal husbandry and animal handling (using proper techniques), and health care procedures, including but not limited to feeding and sanitization procedures, animal capture and restraint, administration of medications, and collection of body fluids and tissues.

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