Animal Care Technician

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Department Specific Functions

The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center is currently seeking an Animal Technician who will join the Cancer Modeling Shared Resource. This translational Facility provides qualified, cost effective and state-of-the art services to foster cancer research advancements and accelerate the discovery of tailored antitumor therapies. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing animal care following standardized laboratory procedures in a research setting under the direction of Dr. Bilbao. This individual will also provide support to research staff, by assisting with routine animal procedures, demonstrating initiative and commitment to the upkeep of the facility, while recording data in a consistent, accurate, timely and legible manner.

The following job description reflects the support that this position must provide. Specific responsibilities of the position include and are not limited to:

Ensure animal rooms are kept clean and organized. Cleans and sanitizes cages according to prescribed standards. Liaise with departmental veterinary resources and other lab members to maintain general animal facility organization and cleanliness. Maintain lab, storage areas, and treatment rooms on a daily basis including sweeping and mopping floors; sanitizes equipment and instruments according to established procedures. Provides food, water, and basic husbandry care for a small animal species. Receive and verify shipments against purchase orders, bills, and other documents; stores animal feed and supplies in a neat and orderly manner; rotates feed as required to ensure freshness; monitors feed supplies to ensure adequate availability. Observes animals on a daily basis to assess health, environmental conditions, and social environment; monitors animals for impact of research and advises team members/veterinary staff of the same. Performs pre-surgical treatments under a researcher's direction, including identification of the correct animal and administration of drugs at the proper dosages; prepares animal for surgical procedures according to established sterile standards, and assists in complex surgical procedures. Maintaining and sterilizing equipment. Support all aspects of colony management and associated technical procedures, including preparation and administration of compounds (intravenous, oral gavage, intraperitoneal), genotyping, as well as non-invasive imaging of mice. Collect biological samples (e.g., blood, tissues) and participate in their analysis. Support team via various handling techniques, both for husbandry, imaging and treatment-related purposes. Facilitate team workflows in collaboration with team members to ensure that tasks, priorities, and goals are completed and coordinated with management. Help to develop, adapt and implement new animal-related procedures. Perform routine maintenance and/or basic mechanical repair to mobile caging, racks, tables, and automatic watering equipment. Maintain cage cards, animal histories, and other records as required, including the collection and analysis of data for experimental purposes. Maintain accurate records for quality control, quality assurance and research data. Maintain database records. Write reports. Practice safety, environmental, and/or infection control methods. May train or guide the work of students and other employees. Assist with lab management duties; ensure equipment is operated and maintained according to manufacturer's instructions; ensure supplies are adequate for the work to be performed. Adhere to University and unit-level policies and procedures; safeguard University assets; participate in university/outside educational training as required. Perform other duties as requested.

CORE JOB FUNCTIONS

Assists with ordering and purchasing of supplies and the maintenance of animals. Maintains institutional biosafety and animal care protocols. Assists with client relations, invoicing, and monitoring core utilization. Performs routine maintenance and repair of equipment and facilities. Completes animal surgeries, injections, irradiation, blood sampling, biopsies, and euthanasia. Records and organizes experimental results. Maintains current knowledge of methods and techniques related to the assigned field of research. Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.

Department Specific Qualifications

Education:

High school diploma, equivalent experience will also be considered. Any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience and/or certifications may be considered.

Certification and Licensing:

American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification at the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) level is preferred and will be strongly encouraged or should be obtained within 12 months of hire.

Experience:

One year of relevant experience. Previous animal care experience preferred.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.

Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes:

• Mechanical ability and dexterity when performing the different animal-related techniques.

• Skill in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail. Detail-oriented.

• Ability to observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress.

• Ability to maintain quality, safety, and/or infection control standards.

• Ability to understand and follow specific instructions and procedures.

• Ability to safely use cleaning equipment and supplies.

• Computer literacy.

• Knowledge of the use and maintenance of laboratory facilities and/or equipment.

• Knowledge of animal husbandry requirements, methods, and techniques.

• Ability to establish dosages and administer drugs to animals.

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations pertaining to animal husbandry.

• Ability to establish and/or maintain veterinary/animal husbandry records.

• Knowledge of supplies, equipment, and/or services ordering and inventory control.

• Knowledge of laboratory operations and/or procedures.

• Knowledge of sterile procedures.

• Ability to perform routine maintenance and repairs on veterinary and/or animal husbandry facilities and equipment.

• Strong desire to learn

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. He or she is expected to interact with a variety of staff (facility team, users, and other related facilities) in a professional, polite, and positive attitude.

• Excellent English (both verbal and written) required.

• Ability to work independently and in a collaborative environment.

• Ability to work evenings, nights, and weekends as necessary.

• Commitment to the University's core values.

• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team under the direction of the Director of the Facility.

• Ability to perform other duties as assigned.

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The University of Miami offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, tuition remission and more.

UHealth-University of Miami Health System, South Florida's only university-based health system, provides leading-edge patient care powered by the ground breaking research and medical education at the Miller School of Medicine. As an academic medical center, we are proud to serve South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean. Our physicians represent more than 100 specialties and sub-specialties, and have more than one million patient encounters each year. Our tradition of excellence has earned worldwide recognition for outstanding teaching, research and patient care. We're the challenge you've been looking for.

Patient safety is a top priority. As a result, during the Influenza ("the flu") season (September through April), the University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine requires all employees who provide ongoing services to patients, work in a location (all Hospitals and clinics) where patient care is provided, or work in patient care or clinical care areas, to have an annual influenza vaccination. Failure to meet this requirement will result in rescinding or termination of employment.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law. Click here for additional information.

Job Status:

Full time

Employee Type:

Staff

Pay Grade:

A4