Breeding Colony Technician - Bioresources - 40 hrs/wk - Days - Detroit

GENERAL SUMMARY:
Under supervision, assists the Supervisor – Bioresources and Leader – Bioresources in providing skilled husbandry and associated animal care services to laboratory animals used in research. Under supervision, acts as a resource for scientific and organizational matters related to the breeding of rodents. Under minimal supervision, performs a variety of routine tasks incident to the care, feeding, and maintenance of various breeding colonies.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Maintains records associated with the breeding of genetically modified mice and rats. Ensures accurate and timely data entry into databases. Monitors and supports the breeding performance of rodent colonies. Provides regular reports and status updates to all scientific staff utilizing the breeding core.
2. Performs counting and sexing of offspring, setting up and maintain breeding pairs, routine collection of DNA samples, and euthanize surplus rodents.
3. Monitors the health and well-being of laboratory animals used in breeding. Communicates all necessary health related information to veterinary staff. Maintains all appropriate medical records, charts, databases, and documentation according to departmental and regulatory standards.
4. Provides care of sick animals by administering prescribed simple medications and treatments, e.g. fluid administration, nutritional support.
5. Assists research investigators and veterinary staff concerning research protocols, procedures, and other related techniques. Notifies veterinary or scientific staff regarding changes in animal condition, behavior or appearance.
6. Advises research investigators in proper animal husbandry, which includes general care, feeding, housing, enrichment, health assessment, handling, and performance of routine procedures on research animals.
7. Monitors hospital facilities and animal records to ensure compliance with the National Institute of Health (NIH), the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and established research protocols.
8. Participates in continuing professional development activities and employee training programs to keep current with new developments in laboratory animal care. Attends department staff meetings and all assigned trainings. May serve on the IACUC or other related committees.
9. Performs routine clerical functions and operate standard office computer programs including email, word processing, slide presentations, data entry, copying, filing, ordering supplies, and billing to support departmental functions. Ability to learn and incorporate new software technologies into practices as needed.
10.Performs simple routine animal husbandry activities in accordance with the National Institute of Health (NIH), the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and established research protocols. Provides and maintain housing and food for all laboratory animal species. Observes, monitors and reports health status of laboratory animals.
11.Monitors and maintains environmental safety according to OSHA requirements. Safely mixes and handles chemical agents. Cleans and disinfects animal housing areas, caging and equipment using water hose and disinfectant or automatic machine cage washing device. Sweeps and mops floors using push broom, dry mop or wet-n-dry vacuum.
12.Receives and stores animal feed, bedding and supplies. Transports heavy animal feed and bedding bags using moving equipment to appropriate locations.
13.Provides animal identification procedures; maintains applicable charts and records; catches, restrains, and cages various extremely light to very heavy animal species ranging in weight from 70g-100 lbs.
14. Provides transportation to animals and supplies via motor vehicle.
15.Maintains safe working conditions at all times by using equipment and supplies following appropriate safety procedures; protects against controllable fairly predictable hazards wearing safety masks, goggles, gloves, boots and other protective clothing.
16.Attends departmental staff meetings. Participates in continuing education and employee training programs. May require rotation through several on-campus and off-campus research facilities.