Class Code:........0136A

                                                      Position#:(PTAA)....7978

                                                      Developed by:.........SG

                                                      Reviewed by:..........CG

                                                      Approved by:............

                                                      Date:........12/93;05/06

 

 

 

                      UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

 

                         Position Description

 

 

TITLE:           Animal Technician

 

DIVISION:        Academic Affairs (Research Office)

 

REPORTS TO:       Technician I

 

GRADE:           3    

 

SUPERVISES:      Support staff

 

BASIC FUNCTION:

 

Work with laboratory and/or farm animals, and be responsible for basic laboratory sanitation, including feeding, watering, and cage cleaning.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

Assist supervisor, attending veterinarian and investigators animal care.

 

Maintain adequate levels of animal feed, supplies and stocks. Adjust supply levels as needed to accommodate changing animal population.

 

Clean cages, feed/water animals and mix special diets.

 

Remain alert to changes in animals' behavior or condition. Notify supervisor, investigator and/or veterinarian as appropriate.

 

Handle animals injected with radioactive materials. Collect urine and feces, using metabolism cages. Clean and decontaminate the radioactive animal cages according to instructions provided by investigators.

 

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

Perform record-keeping functions to assist supervisor, such as counting and recording daily animal census.

 

Assist supervisor/investigators with procedures (e.g., record animal weights; collection of blood, urine, feces specimens; take blood pressures of rats; injection of animals with drugs; anesthetizing animals; dissection and collection of different organs and tissues).

 

Perform other duties as required.


LICENSES, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT:

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

 

The potential exists where there is exposure to unpleasant odors, chemicals, drugs, radioactive isotopes, animal waste and the possibility of animal bites. This position is subject to both inside and outside work and extreme cold and hot temperatures can be encountered.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

 

Must be a high school graduate and be certified by AALAS as an assistant laboratory animal technician within one year of employment. Must be willing to work with research and/or farm animals and be able to work in animal care areas and associated laboratories where there is the possibility of animal bites and exposure to unpleasant odors, chemicals, drugs, and animal waste.  Must be able to lift animal cages and heavy supplies up to 50 lbs and perform other physical work as required.  Must be able to work weekends and holidays.

 

ALL REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.