Animal Care Technician

Description

Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI) is seeking a full-time Animal Care Technician to join our team. MMRI is dedicated to improving the health and quality of life for all humankind. The Institute’s primary mission is to conduct high quality basic biomedical and clinical research aimed at generating knowledge and information necessary for understanding molecular mechanisms of disease and development of medical cures and treatments of tomorrow.

Job Summary

The Animal Care Technician's primary responsibility is to provide basic husbandry, handling, restraint, and health surveillance of laboratory animals in compliance with local regulatory requirements. This individual will also provide record keeping of laboratory species, their environments, and provide basic technical assistance to other technicians and researchers.

Job Responsibilities

• Perform routine animal husbandry and welfare duties as directed.
• Support research by providing basic technical services to research investigators.
• Supply appropriate food and water for animals housed in the vivarium.
• Clean and provide animal housing and associated materials/equipment within assigned animal rooms.
• Observe and report status of animal health, food and water consumption, appearance, behavior; provide support in animal health monitoring and basic veterinary medical treatment as prescribed by the Manager of Animal Facilities.
• Observe and record vivarium environmental conditions.
• Perform sanitation duties within assigned animal rooms and vivarium areas.
• Maintain and perform housekeeping of facility support areas.
• Support cage wash equipment operations and maintenance.
• Adhere to Masonic Medical Research Institute and departmental safety policies and departmental SOPs and guidelines while demonstrating competency in facility safety protocols.
• Establish and maintain appropriate and quality communication, teamwork, collaboration, and cooperation.
  
  

Requirements

• AA/AS/BA/BS is preferable along with AALAS certification at a minimum of LAT is preferred. At least 1-2 years prior experience working in a laboratory animal research setting is required. (College work with animals is acceptable.)
• Must be a self-starter, dependable, and dedicated to working with and around animals.
• Must follow instructions precisely and perform work according to prescribed SOPs.
• Solid written and verbal communication skills, keen attention to detail.
• Problem-solving, time-management and organizational skills are necessary.
• Strong teamwork, interpersonal and observational skills are required.
• All colleagues should have functional knowledge of Microsoft Office, Outlook, calendar management and Internet Explorer time tracking and document management. (e.g. SharePoint, Activity Tracker) Knowledge and use of other systems based upon job function may be required.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds and work standing up lifting items above shoulder level for extended periods of time.
• Ability to perform repetitive physical activities such as: pushing and pulling racks of caging, lifting bags of feed and bedding, reaching, stooping and bending. A functional Capacity Evaluation may be required.
• Rotating weekend and holiday coverage is required; additional weekday overtime work may be required from time to time.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
  
  

Compensation & Benefit Package

We offer a competitive salary and benefit package. Salary will be paid according to NIH guideline. We offer an excellent benefit package including:

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• GENEROUS paid time off
• 7 paid holidays
• 403(b) plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Gym Membership
• And more!
  
  

EOE