Animal Health Technician II

Position Description:

Purpose
Serve on teams of primary caregivers who maintain and promote the health and well-being of research animals by providing comprehensive husbandry, basic health care, facility support, and technical services to facilitate successful achievement of the BRC's mission in alignment with the BRC's vision and values and in a manner consistent with established policies, procedures, and regulations. Assist in training and mentoring less experienced team members to assist in their mastery of essential skills and knowledge and facilitate efficient program operations.

Primary Functions
* Perform daily observations of animals and their environment to assess their health status and detect abnormal conditions. Document and report findings consistent with established procedures. Administer prescribed treatments and other interventions, which may include animal euthanasia. Collect samples for the animal health surveillance program as directed. Maintain relevant records.
* Perform essential, daily animal care to include cleaning animal enclosures, providing clean caging, bedding, and enrichment, and supplying feed and water.
* Handle and restrain animals as needed by using appropriate techniques to allow for the care and research to be performed in a safe and humane manner.
* Sanitize animal rooms, cages, equipment, corridors, and support areas using appropriate techniques per standard operating procedures. Operate rack washers, tunnel washers, bedding dispensers, vacuum bedding disposal system, autoclaves, and floor cleaning machines. Empty garbage dumpster and operate trash compactor. Properly package waste materials to be sent for incineration.
* Receive incoming animal shipments and distribute animals into assigned rooms.
* Monitor environment and/or machinery and equipment by obtaining, documenting, and comparing data against established standards. Maintain records by collecting and recording data to facilitate management of the facility.
* Cross-train in all areas of the facility and provide coverage for team lead as needed.
* Provide technical assistance during special procedures such as surgery, anesthesia, or imaging under the direction of others to facilitate research and/or clinical activities.
* Under the guidance of the BRC Training Staff, provide ongoing on-the-job training to Animal Health Technician Is, ensuring duties are performed in a manner that is consistent with established policies and regulations.
* Assist with the receipt, stocking, and maintenance of supply inventories.
* Maintain routine record keeping of such items as environmental conditions, animal inventory, and daily husbandry activities.
* Assist in providing on-going compliance with policy and procedures and provide feedback in the development of policies and procedures. Actively participate in continuous improvement. Assist with special projects under the direction of others as needed.
* Participate in unit/department education to become more knowledgeable in research animal science.
* Perform other duties as assigned.

Preferred Schedule:
Full-time role with expectations for coverage during core business hours and flexibility required as necessary to accommodate business needs. Weekday

Position Requirements:

Knowledge - Skills - Abilities
Knowledge of proper methods of care of research animals. Willingness to work hard and be open to learning new
tasks. Ability to work productively in a cooperative team setting. Exhibit personal accountability in completion of
tasks. Excellent communication skills. Ability to closely follow established procedures and instruct others. Strong
attention to detail, critical thinking, problem solving, accuracy and attentiveness to detail required. Basic computer
proficiency, including Microsoft Word and mobile device operation. Ability to adapt to changing priorities.
Compassion, patience, and endurance.

Minimum Required Education: High School Diploma
Minimum Required Experience: 2 years
Preferred Education: Associate Degree
Preferred Experience: Animal care in a research setting or similar environment, previous training
experience
Field: Animal Science, Veterinary Technology or related field
Certification: Certification as an Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) by the
American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at the time of hire is
preferred. Certification must be achieved within 12 months of appointment.

Physical Requirements
Work requires movement of feed, bedding, cages, and other equipment. Requires regular pushing, pulling and
lifting of heavy objects. Must climb, balance, stoop, kneel and crouch and standing or walking continuously. Must
be able to manipulate equipment using both hands. Perceive attributes of objects such as size and shape using
fingers and hands. Many repetitive motions are required, including wrist rotations, stoops, body turns, reaching
overhead and lifts.
Risk Potential
Frequent exposure to hazards such as dust, fumes, or extreme temperatures, airborne or blood borne pathogens,
extreme temperatures, or allergens. Possibility of exposure to bites, scratches and zoonotic diseases. May be
required to work in areas where biohazards or radioactive substances are used.
Sensory Acuity
Ability to detect and translate speech or other communication required. May occasionally require the ability to
distinguish colors and perceive relative distances between objects. Must have sufficient visual acuity to perform
activities such as repeated close visual inspection involving observing small defects and objects, minor physical
changes in animals, viewing a computer terminal, extensive reading, and operation of machinery.
Work Environment
Occasional exposure to dust, noise, temperature changes, or contact with water or other liquids. Exposure to
animal wastes, chemicals, acids, odors, loud noises, heat, humidity and wet surfaces is to be expected. Work is
performed in an environmentally controlled environment.

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MCW as an Equal Opportunity Employer and Commitment to Non-Discrimination
The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.

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