Animal Health Technician - New York Blood Center : Job Details

Overview

At New York Blood Center, one of the most comprehensive blood centers in the world, our focus is on cultivating excellence by merging cutting-edge innovation with diligent customer service, groundbreaking research, and comprehensive program and service development. Join us as we work towards meeting and exceeding the growing needs of our diverse communities, further our lifesaving strategic goals in a rapidly changing environment, and expand our impact on the local, national, and global communities we serve.

Responsibilities

This position is responsible for daily vivarium room rounds; regular communication with scientists, Veterinarians and Head of LARS regarding daily care; administering treatments prescribed by clinical veterinarians and/or Head of LARS; monitoring; documentation of all health assessments; treatments and follow-up care; responsibilities for alternating holiday and weekends; participation in training initiatives; active participation in quarterly sentinel health screening. Various minor responsibilities may also be assigned, vivarium room round assignments and other department needs.

* Provide for the care of laboratory animals in a humane, safe and sanitary manner.

* Observe animals for clinical signs of disease and behavioral changes and report observations to the Head of LARS.

* Feed and water the animals on a daily basis or as specified

* Perform weekly census of animals and inventory supplies.

* Perform environmental and clean animal rooms daily as assigned.

* Observe and report any aberrations in animal room environments (room temperature, humidity, lighting, ventilation, vermin, etc.).

* Change animal caging as scheduled.

* Break down and sanitize animal quarter as scheduled and assigned.

* Sanitize service rooms, equipment and hallways as assigned.

* Provide routine treatment for common disease problems and monitor health status as instructed by supervisor or Veterinarian.

* Perform animal identification tasks using established methods.

* Assist in the operation/maintenance of animal, breeding and procedure records.

* Administer special diets and water according to specified protocols/directions.

* Receive, transport and distribute incoming and exporting animals as specified by established animals receiving procedures.

* Operate and maintain the cage washer, bottle filler, autoclave and other support equipment.

* Transport and/or incinerate animal carcasses, biological waste products and general refuse.

* Clean and maintain drug/blood and morgue refrigerators.

* Perform collection of biological (blood, urine, fecal, rectal/nasal swabbing, etc.) for diagnostic testing.

* Maintain various containment areas: quarantine, isolation, barrier, radiation and biohazard (BSL-3).

* Process and preforms special service requests.

* Serve as Back-up when USDA unannounced inspector comes.

* Performs and maintain the institutional enrichment, quarantine, sentinel and vermin control program.

* Performs administrative tasks.

* Provide general technical assistance to other animal care/research staff.

* The technician will perform the duties listed and other related duties as assigned or needed.

* Attend training programs to become more knowledgeable of and develop expertise in laboratory animal science.

* Maintain and processing of the Transnety's Tag Center.

* Makes recommendations to improve organizational processes.

* Any related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education:

* High school graduate or equivalency certificate.

Experience:

* 3-4 years of experience in Barrier facility or performing duties in a related area. Any combination of education, training and experience that has supplied the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to perform the essential functions of the job.

Licenses/Certifications:

* Purina's Laboratory animal certification and AALAS Certification Preferred.

For applicants who will perform this position in New York City or Westchester County, the proposed hiring rate is $24.2105p/hr. For applicants who will perform this position outside of New York City or Westchester County, salary will reflect local market rates and be commensurate with the applicant's skills, job-related knowledge, and experience.

Unless otherwise specified, all posted opportunities are located in the New York or Greater Tri-State office locations.