Cage Wash Technician (Entry Level)

CAGE WASH TECHNICIAN (Entry Level)

General Summary

This entry level position is responsible for providing support in processing equipment and rooms in the animal housing facilities.  The Cage Wash Technician has a basic understanding of the technical aspects involved in processing and sanitation of equipment and a proven ability to work well in a team setting. The incumbent also assists in the sanitation and setup of rooms in the animal care facilities.  This position is a member of an animal care team led by the Supervisor/Lead, In Vivo Laboratory.  The position reports directly to the Manager, In Vivo Laboratory who will have direct management responsibility to include day-to-day task direction and assurance of the quality of work completed 

Key Responsibilities

• Handles and works with laboratory animal equipment, supplies, and materials required to provide for humane conditions.
• Provides support to the animal care facility. This includes, but is not limited to: vermin control, measuring and recording facility environmental factors (light intensity, directional airflow, quantitative airflow, water sample collection, timer checks, etc.), air filter changes, and lab cleaning/decontamination.
• Provides support to animal care technicians.

Position Specific

Executes key activities to maintain the care of laboratory animals, including but not limited to:

• Cleans cages, equipment, and work area, and decontaminates animal rooms, this includes operating sanitizing and sterilizing equipment.
• Provides clean housing, feed, water and appropriate enrichment for animals housed in the facility.
• Transfers animals and animal identification to clean caging/racks, and materials from storage to work areas.
• Transports laboratory equipment and materials to and from animal rooms.
• Stores and stacks feed, bedding, materials and equipment.
• Operates and adjusts animal watering system.
• Provides environmental enrichment and/or socialization to animals as directed.
• Verifies and documents the operational status of various pieces of equipment and environmental conditions in animal facilities.
• Observes appropriate safety and study requirements by reading, understanding, and following Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and study protocols.
• Performs other duties as directed by supervisor.

Requirements/Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with 1 year of related experience.
• Ability to work overtime when necessary and participate in weekend/holiday rotations.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

Physical Demands

This position requires significant physical exertion including (but not limited to):

• Standing, walking or climbing for extended periods of time.
• Lifting, pulling, or pushing heavy objects (sometimes in excess of 50 lbs.).
• Perform repetitive and strenuous activities that require standing or stooping/crouching by bending at the wait or legs.
• Clear vision with corrective lenses at 20 feet or more and ability to determine colors (no color blindness).
• Fine motor skills and manual dexterity.
• Withstanding exposure to constant or intermittent high noise levels and heat/humidity.
• Wearing a respirator for extended periods of time.

Work Environment & Conditions

This position is in a BSL 2/3 animal facility environment and requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including (but not limited to):

• Eye protection (safety glasses and full-face shield)
• Closed toed shoes
• Respirator (varies based on tasks and barrier requirements)
• Tyvek/scrub suits
• Nitrile and latex gloves (varies based on tasks)
• Hearing protection (varies based on tasks)

Immunizations are required for this position and are determined by the study/ agent.  Some examples include Tetanus, Hepatitis B, Smallpox, and Influenza.