Animal Care Technician, Animal Resource Centre - Calgary, Canada - The University of Calgary

The University of Calgary
The University of Calgary
Verified Company
Calgary, Canada

4 weeks ago

Sophia Lee

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Sophia Lee

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Description

Position Overview


The
Animal Resource Centre in the
Cumming School of Medicine is currently seeking a Full-time Limited Term
Animal Care Technician for approximately 12 months.


Reports to the Manager, Animal Units, in the Health Sciences Animal Resource Centre at the Cumming School of Medicine, the Animal Care Technician will play a vital role in the welfare of research animals.


The Animal Resource Centre is a highly complex facility, requiring flexibility in the work schedule to accommodate peak times and emergencies.

High stress conditions due to the type of technical procedures being performed, work volume and high impact of error and requires moderate to heavy physical tasks.

Shifts may require weekend work and statutory holidays. May be required to work in other units within the Animal Resources Centre. May be at risk for development of allergies. Must demonstrate a high degree of confidentiality at all times.


Position Description

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

  • Provides well developed, consistent technical support and animal care services to users of the Animal Resources Centre facility and ensure that proper procedures are always followed. Ensures that other HSARC staff and users also follow proper procedures through education and guidance
  • Acts as a resource and provides coaching to Researchers, Lab personnel and Graduate Students as well as other staff within the HSARC
  • Must be able to perform heavy lifting and standing for long periods of time
  • Provides care of animals used in research in compliance with the University and Canadian Council of Animal Care, failure to do so could impact on the animal care and research outcomes
  • Efficient and proficient use of IRISS and the animal tracking system (MOSAIC) to access pertinent information about protocol activities and animal usage occurring within the HSARC
  • Uses good judgment and problemsolving skills to identify and report health problems with animals
  • Provides basic treatments for animals as directed by the Veterinarian, including administering medications, sampling for and performance of diagnostic tests, as well as euthanization of animals as the need arises
  • Operates equipment and performs equipment maintenance, following safety regulations always
  • Provide regular maintenance and ensure safe operation of equipment in the area such as laminar flow change stations, ventilated caging systems, autoclave and anesthetic delivery systems, as well as assess needs for and evaluation of new equipment
  • Work with the Manager to ensure that tasks are completed on time and progressing according to plan
  • Flexibility to work as a member of a team or independently as required
  • Keeps records and performs procedures used for research animal identification in the animal tracking system (MOSAIC)
  • Provides animal care for all species of laboratory animals used in research, which includes feeding, watering and changing cages following Standard Operating Procedures for prevention of exposure to disease
  • Proper and proficient use of animal tracking systems to ensure that data and animal information is current and up to date
  • Detailed record keeping using the animal management system (MOSAIC) is required for a variety of tasks, including cage maintenance, breeding colonies and animal identification, ear notching and tagging and weaning animals, billing records, population census along with other duties and responsibilities. This includes daily log sheets and monthly log sheets, wherever applicable
  • Monitors and assesses general animal health and reports problems to the Veterinarian or appropriate lab technician
  • Provides basic treatment for animals under direction of the Veterinarian, carries out technical procedures such as subcutaneous IP injections, tissue sampling, saphenous blood sampling, urine, blood glucose monitoring, fecal collection, checking plugs, palpating for pregnancy, setting up breeding pairs, euthanization of animals and colony management. All data and activities must be recorded in the animal tracking system (MOSAIC)

Qualifications / Requirements:


  • Animal Health Diploma required; may consider past husbandry experience with research related animals in a research or other relevant scientific/medical/institutional setting
  • Relevant experience in a research/scientific/medical/institutional setting includes RLAT designation, AHT designation, Veterinary Clinic, University/Research Facility
  • Past husbandry experience with research animals in a research centre or other relevant animal husbandry experience
  • Past husbandry experience in nonresearch facilities may be considered in the absence of the above noted qualifications. This includes SPCA or other animal care organizations, Zoo, Farm hand experience
  • High level of proficiency working with animal monitoring and tracking systems (MOSAIC) including other airflow and water handling technologies in the
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