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The Animal Laboratory Technician III (ALTIII) is a leading position requiring deep understanding and proficiency in routine and non-routine tasks conducted in the vivarium, the rules and regulations that govern the care and use of research animals as well as Cedar Sinai's specific policies and procedures. This knowledge allows the incumbent to assist the Supervisor in leading the husbandry team by performing quality checks, assessing labor and workloads as well as serving as backup in the event of staff shortages. The ALTIII creates, reviews, and revises processes and procedures including but not limited to standard operating procedures (SOPs), forms, policies, and checklists to develop, implement and/or maintain the training program for comparative medicine technicians and laboratory personnel. In addition, this role is responsible for performing specialized duties related to the husbandry of all species housed in the Department including managing vendor deliveries of animals/equipment/supplies and irradiation confirmation of all incoming diets.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Performs routine quality checks in their assigned areas, including, but not limited to animal care, room maintenance, monitoring of room environmental conditions, general area cleanliness of the vivarium, and proper documentation of the assigned tasks.

Reports deviation through the right channels and follows up on preventive and corrective actions.

Receives and assigns or processes service requests submitted by research staff to provide special diets and medicated water to animals in the vivarium. This includes product verification, ordering, receiving and proper on site management of the diets

Reviews animal delivery reports one business day prior to scheduled receipt to ensure accuracy of PI rodent housing location as well as sufficient housing space and communicates any issues to the Animal Care Coordinator or Husbandry Supervisor. May serve as a back up for Animal Care Coordinator.

Supports the Supervisor overseeing census scanning, census reconciliation, animal space allocation, generating the husbandry schedule, and review of electronic and physical records daily (e.g., RMS2)

Maintains inventory of feed, bedding supplies and equipment and submits purchase orders in the current system for approval. Supplies include, but are not limited to, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), cleaning supplies and other items needed in the vivaria.

Oversees or conducst vivarium support tasks including but not limited to annual Individual Ventilated Cage (IVC) rack sanitization, decontamination of animal holding areas, and animal imports and exports.

Participates in creating, editing, and reviewing documents including but not limited to SOPs, forms, training checklists, and working instructions as requested by Supervisor.

Actively participates in the creation, delivery, and maintenance of Comparative Medicine training program for technicians, and the vivarium training for research staff.

Responsible for independently identifying additional tasks (other than those assigned) and/or opportunities for improvement, following lean management practices

May collaborate with research staff and PI to address concerns and determine solutions for challenges.

Education:

• A High School Diploma/GED is required. A graduate of an AVMA-CVTEA or CVMA accredited veterinary technology program is preferred.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Eligibility for certification by AALAS at the Assistant Laboratory Technician (ALAT) level upon hire.
• Eligibility for certification by AALAS at the Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) level within 90 days of hire
• Valid and current driver's license is required.

Experience and Skills:

• Five (5) years of experience working in a laboratory animal setting is required.
• Ability to learn, apply and maintain compliance with the rules and regulations governing the care and use of animals in research.
• Demonstrates a high standard of ethics and integrity with regards to animal welfare.
• Ability to provide and/or support a level of work excellence and accuracy; recognize and address flaws or errors that others may overlook. Ability to document tasks in an orderly, timely, and accurate manner.
• Ability to convey and/or receive written/verbal information to/from various audiences in different formats.
• Ability to demonstrate time management skills.
• Ability to appropriately prioritize tasks to complete more critical or urgent items first.

Ability to use software applications and operate technological devices (e.g., computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc.). Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, and ability to learn other systems that support clinical work in the vivarium