Laboratory Animal Care Specialist

Key Responsibilities

The Laboratory Animal Care Technician I plays a vital role in maintaining the well-being of animals in accordance with all standard operating procedures (SOPs), applicable state and federal regulations, as well as guidelines set forth by the veterinary team.

Animal Husbandry and Support

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• Animal Care and Maintenance: Perform routine husbandry (food, water, cleaning pens) for various animal species.
  
• General Room Cleaning Procedures: Perform general room cleaning procedures, animal husbandry sanitization, and water monitoring.
  
• Animal Housing and Enrichment: Ensure animals have adequate space, safe and secure housing, and appropriate enrichment. Monitor temperature and humidity in animal rooms and report HVAC issues.
  
• Daily Animal Welfare Checks: Ensure animals' well-being, health, and sanitation are adequate by completing daily animal welfare checks and documenting animal husbandry records.
  
• Animal Transportation: Provide animal transportation for acquisition and disposal.
  
• Vet Care Supplies: Assist with stocking vet care supplies, monitoring for expiration, and notifying appropriate employees of items that need to be ordered.
  
• Study Protocol Review: Review study protocol and notebook prior to study initiation. Participate in pre-study meetings as necessary.
  
• Inventory Maintenance: Perform feed, bedding, and animal facility inventory maintenance.
  
• Pest Monitoring: Perform pest monitoring for rodents and insects.
  

Other Key Responsibilities

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• Follow Laboratory Policies: Follow all SOPs and other applicable laboratory or company policies and procedures.
  
• Confidentiality: Maintain confidential information.
  
• Team Support: Support and participate in company initiatives as directed.
  
• Scientific Literacy: Ability to read/write English and understand scientific protocols and reports.
  
• Procedure Review: Perform periodic review of all applicable SOPs to ensure accuracy and confirm procedures are being performed according to SOP.
  
• Training and Development: Complete training requirements as assigned and maintain appropriate training documentation.
  
• Regulatory Compliance: Maintain compliance and adhere to all safety regulations, policies, and procedures and good documentation practices.
  
• Good Laboratory Practices: Develop a thorough knowledge and ensure compliance with Good Laboratory Practices, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Association of Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AALAC), Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, and other applicable regulations.
  

Qualifications and Requirements

The successful candidate will possess excellent organizational skills, be detail-oriented, and able to work independently and as part of a team.

Critical Success Factors

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• Organizational Skills: Good organizational skills and detail-oriented.
  
• Time Management: Manages time to appropriately meet deadlines.
  
• Personal and Professional Development: Continually works to refine skills and abilities.
  
• Problem-Solving: Ability to identify and separate out the key components of problems and situations.
  
• Teamwork and Communication: Actively supports and contributes to the success of the team. Actively encourages and practices collaboration and cooperation on the team.
  
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to work with personnel at all levels of the organization.
  
• Independence and Teamwork: Must be able to work independently and in a team environment.
  
• Multi-Tasking and Prioritization: Demonstrates the ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks in a high-energy, fast-paced environment.
  
• Computer Skills: Proficient in using a computer to compile and maintain simple data, spreadsheets, checklists, and reports for records and inventory, utilizing the appropriate software.
  
• Quality and Attention to Detail: Exhibits an aptitude for quality, an eye for detail, the ability to follow written instructions, and work with a minimum of supervision.
  
• Scientific Knowledge and Awareness: Demonstrates a working knowledge and awareness of general laboratory procedures. Maintains a commitment to adhere to all safety regulations and procedures.
  
• Scientific Methods: Demonstrates an ability to follow detailed instructions with a sense for scientific methods.
  

Education and Certifications

A high school diploma or equivalent is required. AALAS Certification or commitment to attaining certification within 18 months of start date is preferred.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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• Lifting and Moving: Ability to regularly lift up to 50 pounds and move heavy equipment in a safe manner.
  
• Mobility and Dexterity: Ability to stand and move (e.g., walk, bend, reach, lift, crouch, push, pull, lift) throughout an entire work shift.
  
• Manual Dexterity: Manual dexterity (e.g., feeling, grasping, fingering, repetitive motion) to operate necessary equipment and perform essential tasks outlined in position description.
  
• Visual Acuity: Required to have close visual acuity (e.g., preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small parts) and depth perception (with or without glasses/contacts).
  
• Personal Protection Equipment: Required utilization of provided personal protection equipment (PPE).
  
• Exposure to Hazards: Occasional exposure to potential hazards such as hot water, steam, mechanical equipment, biological substances, loud noise, odors, chemicals, and to a range of outdoor weather conditions.
  
• Reliability: Regular on-site attendance as scheduled by management.
  

This position could be offered at different levels for candidates who qualify with a combination of advanced levels of education and/or years of experience. The salary range is $18-$20/hr, which will adjust along with the level of the role to match the person's relevant experience and/or education level.

Inotiv is a growing contemporary drug discovery and development company where we Play to Win in an industry rich with opportunity. Together, we face challenges and together we win in the delivery of world-class drug discovery and development solutions that impact the health and well-being of people all over the world. There's an opportunity for everyone at all phases of a career, each individual's unique skill set has an impact on the work we conduct. If you have the talent and desire to impact the quality of people's lives, we have the career opportunities to make it happen. Join us in embracing research and science to impact the health and well-being of people all over the world.

Inotiv has been named a 2023 Top Workplace

Salary will be commensurate with experience and responsibilities. Benefits include health and dental coverage, short- and long-term disability, paid time off, paid parental leave, 401K, and more

Inotiv is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to provide a fair and equal employment opportunity to all persons, regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.

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