Laboratory Animal Technician 1

Department Overview

The Department of Comparative Medicine provides housing, professional and technical services for laboratory animal care, veterinary medical care, animal research project support, and genetically engineered model development and preservation for the OHSU research community. and research animals housed throughout the OHSU Central and Waterfront campus.

The Laboratory Animal Husbandry Technician 1 provides for the basic care and husbandry needs of a large variety of laboratory research animals including but not limited to fish, amphibians, birds and a wide range of rodent and non-rodent mammalian species. Works as a member of a highly interdependent team using a professional approach in providing direct animal care. The technician is most often the first line of defense in spotting animal health and environmental problems.

This is the first level of a three level series. It is distinguished from the Laboratory Animal Technician 2 & 3 by requiring close supervision, intensified training and a lower level of independent decision-making skills.

Function/Duties of Position

• Transports supplies and equipment needed to support the health and wellbeing of laboratory animals. Changes cages and accessory equipment as needed as well as on a predetermined schedule.  Feed, water species including but not limited to fish, amphibians, birds and a wide range of rodent and non-rodent mammalian species as required by the departmental, USDA and NIH standards. Exercises USDA maintained species as required by regulation or as directed by departmental veterinary staff.
• Observes animals for health and wellbeing. Reports physical or behavioral abnormalities promptly in writing. Records observations in the clinical record. Administers medications and treatments to animals as instructed by the veterinary staff. Monitors the environment in animal areas for changes or potential hazards to animals and experimental protocol.  Reports any changes to supervisor.
• Maintains and sanitizes animal rooms and support areas. Includes sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, washing and disinfecting floors, walls ceilings, sinks and other equipment. Handle feed and bedding appropriately.  Rotates oldest material to be used first.  Maintains clean supply of feed and bedding in animal room containers and label appropriately.
• Maintains records as required by DCM standard operating procedure and federal regulation or guidelines. Keeps accurate census records for billing purposes.
• Prepares for arrival of new animals. Uncrates and houses animals according to standard operating procedures. Inspects shipment to ensure the specifications of the order have been met. Reports any problems with the shipment or the condition of the animals to the Supervisor.  Identifies the animals and initiates records. Observes animals closely post-arrival to assure adjustment to the new environment.
• Performs humane euthanasia as instructed according to standard operating procedure and the guidelines of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Panel on Euthanasia.
• Handles and cares for animals in specialized colonies. This may include specific pathogen free, transgenic, or barrier-reared animals. Follows standard operating protocols, follows a clean-to-dirty workflow, minimizes cross contamination of potential pathogens and complies with special procedures.
• Handles and cares for animals that have been experimentally exposed to chemicals, pathogens or radioactive materials.  Must follow detailed safety instructions for personal protection as well as for the protection of other animals and people in the area.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Ability to follow detailed verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Skill in making careful visual observations.
• Skill in communicating verbally and in writing.
• Skill in performing basic arithmetical calculations.
• Skill in handling, restraint, identification and sexing common varieties of laboratory animals.
• Skill in keeping accurate records. 
• Possess and maintain a valid Class C driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED equivalent.
• Any direct experience working with animals.

Additional Details

Work is located within a functioning vivarium.  May be required to handle animals that have the potential to bite, scratch or harbor zoonotic diseases.  Occupational exposure to allergens, chemicals, biological pathogens and radioactive material.  Exposure to animals, animal tissue, fluids and animals treated with biohazards.

Ability to work overtime, weekends and holidays when necessary. This position would require travel between and Central and Waterfront Campuses potentially involving travel via the Tram.

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.

Why apply to OHSU?

We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington. All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact [email protected]