Animal Health Technician

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.

Education:

• High school graduate or equivalency certificate.

Experience:

• 0-2 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 $24.9368p/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.

Founded in 1964, New York Blood Center (NYBC) has served the tri-state area for more than 60 years, delivering 500,000 lifesaving blood products annually to 150+ hospitals, EMS and healthcare partners. NYBC is part of New York Blood Center Enterprises (NYBCe), which spans 17+ states and delivers one million blood products to 400+ U.S. hospitals annually. NYBCe additionally delivers cellular therapies, specialty pharmacy, and medical services to 200+ research, academic and biopharmaceutical organizations. NYBCe's Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute is a leader in hematology and transfusion medicine research, dedicated to the study, prevention, treatment and cure of bloodborne and blood-related diseases. NYBC serves as a vital community lifeline dedicated to helping patients and advancing global public health. To learn more, visit nybc.org. Connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.