Senior Laboratory Animal Technician (SLAT)

Title Code:  7291 

Occ. Group: 

Senior Laboratory Animal Technician (SLAT)

Expectations for All Employees

East Tennessee State University pursues its mission based upon core values. An employee's job performance must support and exhibit the university's core values:

PEOPLE come first, are treated with dignity and respect, and are encouraged to achieve their full potential;
RELATIONSHIPS are built on honesty, integrity and trust;
DIVERSITY of people and thought is respected;
EXCELLENCE is achieved through teamwork, leadership, creativity, and a strong work ethic;
EFFICIENCY is achieved through wise use of human and financial resources; and COMMITMENT to intellectual achievement is embraced.

Definition   

Employees in this class are under general supervision.  Work performed in routine to moderately complex duties in caring for experimental animals, providing technical assistance to researchers, acting as group leader to lower level employees, and performing related work as required. 

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

Performs all procedures related to the care of laboratory animals, including changing of cages, washing of cages and accessories, and sanitation of animal housing and support areas.

Maintains and operates specialized equipment such as cage washer, bottle washer, autoclave, high pressure washer, etc.

Maintains adequate supply of clean cages, racks, and drinking devises for animals.

Maintains specialized animal breeding colonies.

Provides pre- and post-surgical care to animals.

Assists during aseptic surgery.

Induces, maintains and monitors anesthesia in animals.

Keeps accurate detailed records for animal maintenance and environmental control and reviews the keeping procedures of others.

Maintains adequate isolation and conditioning procedures for infected animals and those in quarantine.

Collects blood, tissue, urine and fecal samples from animals.

Prepares animals for surgical procedures (incubation, clipping, scrubbing, disinfection). 

Monitors health and well-being of animals and reports deviations from the norm to the supervisor or the veterinarian.

Receives, unpacks and identifies newly arrived animals and checks the shipment for count, sex, weight, general health and obvious signs of infections prior to introduction into housing facilities.

Handles and restrains all animal species used on campus including dogs, cats and nonhuman primates for injection, venipuncture, tattooing, etc.

Gives prescribed medication and injections to animals upon request of the principal investigator or the veterinarian.

Monitors the effectiveness of medication programs.

Euthanizes animals employing only approved procedures.

Checks and reports mechanical problems for repair.

Prepares and uses sprays, washing and disinfecting solutions, including concentrated acids and caustic chemicals.

Keeps cages and other equipment in repaired condition and report malfunction of equipment and services.

Acts as group leader for lower level employees.

Unloads and places in storage incoming supplies of food, bedding, equipment, etc.

Collects and disposes of waste and carcasses.

Operates departmental truck on and off campus and transports animals, supplies, and equipment.

Advises investigators on proper type, size and quantity of animal cages and animal care support equipment.

Maintains adequate extermination procedures.

Recommends design or modification of animal facilities and devices for feeding, watering and restraining animals.

Maintains adequate supply for feed and bedding and reports shortage to supervisor; keeps records on inventory of supplies and equipment.

Monitors the work environment within the laboratory facilities to ensure a safe work place for all employees and monitors compliance with safety program.

Maintains uniforms and practices a high level of personal hygiene.

Actively participates in on-the-job training programs for staff.

Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor or the attending veterinarian. 

Required Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of basic animal husbandry.

Knowledge of basic facility management and administration.

Knowledge of basic animal health and welfare.

Knowledge of cleaning methods and equipment.

Knowledge of record keeping.

Knowledge of guidelines, requirements and regulations of federal, granting and accreditation agencies.

Knowledge of basic technical skills in the care, preparation and use of animal for research and teaching.

Ability to maintain mechanical equipment.

Ability to handle, care for and transport experimental animals.

Ability to observe, keep records and communicate with researchers.

Ability to follow instructions.

Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with other employees.

Ability to operate assigned vehicle.

Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with other employees.

Ability to move a minimum of 50 pounds. 

Recommended Qualifications

High school graduate or equivalent; possess a valid Tennessee operator license as issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety; possess two years laboratory animal care experience; possess or obtain Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) within 18 months of employment. 

Date           Skill          Eval          
8/30/99         7      543033214

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position.