JOB TITLE: Breeding Technician/Animal Caretaker III

Summary

Under the direction of the Veterinary Technician Supervisor and Contract Management, the Breeding Technician shall primarily be responsible for managing rodent breeder colonies. This person must be knowledgeable of Veterinary Medical terminology, trained in rodent animal husbandry; In addition, this person will also be responsible for assisting investigators with technical procedures including breeding animals, identification of animals, breeding of transgenic animals, weaning, sexing, and keeping appropriate records.

Requirements

Employee must have a high school diploma or hold an Associate Arts Degree in Veterinary Technology or Experience working with animals in biomedical research preferable) or companion animal practice and be eligible to take the ALAT certification.

Duties:

· Communicate with Researchers to better care for animals and provide services to the customers.

· Coordinate work schedules with Researchers and the Veterinary Technician Supervisor.

· Seek specialized training or cross training to maximize delivery of services.

· Manage researcher breeding programs including weaning of rodents, applying identification through ear tags or ear punches, and preparing cage cards with animal information.

· Collect rodent tissue samples for submission to genotyping.

· Ensure that proper veterinary care and treatment for NIH/NICHD animals is maintained.

· Prepare and submit breeding information logs to Researchers and Contract Management.

· Prepare and provide rodent enrichment to encourage breeding.

· Assist researchers or their staff by restraining and positioning animals for examination or treatment.

· Assure that procedures and practices involving the program of animal care are appropriate for the continued maintenance of AAALAC accreditation of the NIH animal facility.

· Assist, when requested, in experimental planning and logistics/scheduling requirements.

· Ensure all safety requirements are met.

· Assist the Veterinary Technician Supervisor in anticipating and planning for changing workloads and schedules.

· Identify and report potential problem areas related to animal use, care, or health, or problems with facilities or equipment which might be hazard to animals or personnel.

· Monitoring and executing the sentinel animal program.

· Ensure that records, logbooks, and other clinical and project records are appropriately and contemporaneously maintained.

· Compliance with the QA/QC program.

· Maintain a current knowledge of existing and proposed laws, regulations, and guidelines affecting the care and use of animals at the NIH.

· Maintain a broad general knowledge and competence in lab animal science husbandry, technical procedures, and facility management.

· Assist and perform blood collection or other technical/veterinary procedures as directed.

· Perform routine animal husbandry and cage wash functions as needed during emergencies.

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE:

• Handling and manipulating animals
• Literate in written and spoken English
• Experience in an animal facility or previous skills working in a Veterinary Clinic.
• Knowledgeable in PC applications including word documents and spreadsheets