Summary

Provides a wide range of husbandry care for a variety of animal species. Conducts standardized testing and research data collection activities. Assists veterinarian in animal treatment techniques and procedures as appropriate.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Performs all aspects of basic husbandry care for a variety of animal species in accordance with university, local, state, and federal regulations including cleaning and sanitizing cages.
2. Provides routine veterinary care including daily observation of animals to assess their health, welfare, and any possible impact of research manipulation; uses appropriate animal care methods to prevent, control, diagnose, and treat diseased and/or injured animals.
3. Maintains breeding colonies ensuring accurate recordkeeping and breeding techniques; maintains transgenic colonies ensuring correct animal identification, sterile handling, and accurate recordkeeping.
4. Conducts standardized testing and collection of research data under the direction of investigators.
5. Performs pre-surgical treatments under a veterinarian's direction, including identification of the correct animal and administration of induction drugs at the proper dosages; prepares animal for surgical procedures according to established sterile standards.
6. Participates in surgery as surgical nurse/anesthetist or as the surgeon's assistant; cleans and sterilizes operating room, anesthesia equipment, and instruments prior to and after surgery.
7. Maintains lab, storage areas, and treatment rooms on a daily basis including sweeping and mopping floors; sanitizes equipment and instruments according to established procedures.
8. Performs routine maintenance and/or basic mechanical repair to mobile caging, racks, tables, and automatic watering equipment.
9. Maintains cage cards, animal histories, and other records as required.
10. Receives and verifies shipments against purchase orders, bills of lading, and other documents; stores animal feed and supplies in a neat and orderly manner; rotates feed as required to ensure freshness; monitors feed supplies to ensure adequate availability.
11. Performs euthanasia procedures as directed by veterinarian either by cervical dislocation (on mice), carbon dioxide asphyxiation, or by injection of euthanasia solutions or chemicals; performs post-mortem exams.
12. Provides guidance to others regarding handling, immobilization, anesthesia, analgesia, euthanasia, and post-surgical care for animals.
13. May lead, guide, and train staff/student employees, interns, and/or volunteers performing related work; may participate in the recruitment of volunteers, as appropriate to the area of operation.
14. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements

• High school diploma or GED; at least 3 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Knowledge of supplies, equipment, and/or services ordering and inventory control.
• Ability to maintain quality, safety, and/or infection control standards.
• Records maintenance skills.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations pertaining to animal husbandry.
• Knowledge of the use and maintenance of laboratory facilities and/or equipment.
• Knowledge of animal breeding techniques and requirements.
• Knowledge of laboratory animal identification procedures and techniques.
• Knowledge of animal husbandry requirements, methods, and techniques.
• Knowledge of OR, pre-op and/or post-op procedures.
• Knowledge of standard laboratory animal testing and data collection protocols, procedures, and equipment.
• Knowledge of laboratory operations and/or procedures.
• Knowledge of sterile procedures.
• Ability to establish dosages and administer drugs to animals.
• Knowledge of agents, equipment, procedures, and techniques for the provision of anesthesia.
• Knowledge of data collection techniques.
• Ability to perform routine maintenance and repairs on veterinary and/or animal husbandry facilities and equipment.
• Ability to assess and treat medical conditions in a wide variety of animals.
• Ability to establish and/or maintain veterinary/animal husbandry records.
• Knowledge of animal euthanasia procedures, techniques, and standards.
• Ability to provide guidance and training in clinical and/or surgical procedures on animals.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Position requires: a) Providing routine veterinary care including observing animals to assess health, welfare and possible impact of research manipulation; b) maintaining breeding colonies, ensuring accurate recordkeeping and breeding techniques; c) participating in surgery under direction of veterinarian or surgeon; d) performing euthanasia procedures as directed by veterinarian; e) providing guidance to others regarding handling and care for animals; e) and f) Certificate of Completion as an Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician.

Conditions of Employment

• All regular, non-temporary positions assigned to this classification are represented by a labor union and subject to the terms and conditions of the CWA Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Successful candidate must submit to post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check.
• Must obtain certification as a Lab Animal Technician (LAT)within 12 months of date of hire.
• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• Extensive physical activity. Requires strenuous physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling required of objects over 50 pounds.
• Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.
• Work may involve moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.
• Will work with blood or blood-borne pathogens and will require OSHA training.

The University of New Mexico provides all training required by OSHA to ensure employee safety.

Revised Date: 05/02/2021