Lead Animal Health Technician

Summary

Lead teams of Animal Health Technicians Is and IIs 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. Provide training and advanced assistance to facilitate efficient animal health and husbandry activities, quality assurance, and/or other operational areas.

Primary Responsibilities

• Assign and oversee daily tasks of Animal Health Technician I’s and II’s in performing support service-related functions, maintenance procedures, animal husbandry and animal health and welfare activities to ensure duties are performed in a manner that is consistent with established policies and regulations.  Ensure daily tasks are completed efficiently and effectively.  Provide weekend and holiday team leadership on a rotating basis.

• Provide ongoing feedback to supervisor regarding personnel, facility, and operational performance. Resolve routine issues under supervisor guidance.

• 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 Provide technical assistance during special procedures such as surgery or imaging under the direction of others to facilitate research and/or clinical activities.

• 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, floor cleaning machines, and pallet jack. Empty garbage dumpster and operate trash compactor. Oversee packaging of waste materials to be sent for incineration to ensure proper procedures are followed.

• Receive incoming animal shipments and distribute animals into assigned rooms.

• Receive and properly process various shipments from the loading dock using push carts, flatbed carts and pallet jack.

• Monitor machinery and environment by obtaining, documenting, and comparing data against established standards. Troubleshoot problems as necessary, referring issues requiring outside service to supervisor. Perform non-routine and routine maintenance and ensure proper operation of equipment.

• In collaboration with the BRC Training Staff, train AHT I’s and II’s, ensuring duties are performed in a manner that is consistent with established policies and regulations. May assist in training husbandry and investigative staff in a variety of proper animal handling and procedure techniques under the direction of the training staff.

• Crosstrain in all areas of the facility and provide coverage for supervisor on an as needed.

• Assists with the receipt, stocking, and maintenance of supply inventories.

• Maintain records by collecting and recording data to facilitate management of the facility. Troubleshoot issues and resolve routine problems.

• 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.

• Assist in providing on-going compliance with policy and procedures, and development of policies and procedures. Initiate continuous improvement activities and oversee implementation as assigned. Assist with special projects as needed.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge – Skills – Abilities

• Thorough understanding of laboratory animal facility operations and methods. 

• Ability to motivate and provide direction to team. 

• Ability to work productively in a cooperative team setting. 

• Ability to closely follow established procedures and instruct others. 

• Ability to demonstrate responsibility and dependability when completing assignments, plan and organize work according to established priorities and complete assignments accurately within established timeframes. 

• Strong critical thinking, problem solving, accuracy and attentiveness to detail required. 

• Ability to adapt to changing priorities.

• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills. Data entry skills, basic proficiency in Microsoft Office and mobile device operation. 

• Willingness to work hard and be open to learning new tasks.

• Data utilization, complex problem solving, critical thinking, resource management, and writing skills.

• Compassion, patience, and endurance.

Qualifications

Appropriate experience may be substituted for education an on equivalent basis.

Minimum Required Education:            Associate Degree

Minimum Required Experience:           3 year’s

Preferred Education:                           Bachelor Degree

Preferred Experience:                          Animal care in a research setting or similar environment, previous training and team leadership

Required Certification/Licensure(s):   Certification as a Laboratory Animal Technician by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at the time of hire is preferred.  Certification must be achieved within 12 months of appointment. 

Preferred Certification/Licensure(s):

Physical Requirements

Work requires occasionally lifting moderate weight materials, standing, or walking continuously.

Work Environment

Occasional exposure to dust, noise, temperature changes, or contact with water or other liquids. Work is performed in an environmentally controlled environment.

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.

Why MCW?

• Outstanding Healthcare Coverage, including but not limited to Health, Vision, and Dental. Along with Flexible Spending options
• 403B Retirement Package
• Competitive Vacation and Paid Holidays offered
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
• Pet Insurance
• On campus Fitness Facility, offering onsite classes
• Additional discounted rates on items such as: Select cell phone plans, local fitness facilities, Milwaukee recreation and entertainment etc.

For a brief overview of our benefits see: Benefits Overview

For a full list of positions see: MCW Careers

At MCW all of our endeavors, from our internal operations to our interactions with our partners, are driven by our shared organizational values: Caring – Collaborative – Curiosity – Inclusive – Integrity – Respect. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that values diversity in backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives through merit-based processes and in alignment with all applicable laws. We believe that embracing human differences is critical to realize our vision of a healthier world, and we recognize that a healthy and thriving community starts from within. Our values define who we are, what we stand for and how we conduct ourselves at MCW. If you believe in embracing individuality and working together according to these principles to improve health for all, then MCW is the place for you. For more information, please visit our institutional website.

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 an inclusive 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.