USF Job Class Description
JOB CODE: 4712
JOB TITLE: Laboratory Animal
Technician
PAY PLAN: 23
PAY BAND: B
FLSA: Non-Exempt
CBU: 31
Job Title: Laboratory Animal Technician
Job Summary
A Laboratory Animal Technician provides for the feeding and husbandry of laboratory
animals and performs medical procedures on the animals such as injection of medications
and anesthetics, surgical assistance, and radiological assistance.
Nature of Work
This position performs technical work in the direct, daily care of laboratory research
animals with supervision by a Laboratory Animal Supervisor, Laboratory Animal Manager,
or a principal investigator. The position also supports research projects by keeping records
of births, weaning, and deaths of the animals; monitoring and recording health status;
restraining animals; administering medications and anesthetics by injection; euthanizing
animals and collecting samples for necroscopies. This job is distinguished from a general
facility caretaker by performing animal husbandry duties. The job is distinguished from Sr.
Laboratory Animal Technicians through its emphasis on direct animal care such as feeding,
maintaining cages, and monitoring general health of animals rather than performing
specialized medical procedures or surgical procedures, performing specific research
protocols, or training and assigning tasks to other animal care personnel. This position is
typically on a team that includes Sr. Laboratory Animal Technicians or other positions that
perform more technical assignments. This position is non-exempt for FLSA.
Examples of Duties
The following list provides examples of the most typical duties for positions in this job
class. Individual positions may not include all of the examples listed, nor does the list
include all of the work that may be assigned to positions in this job class.
• Provides for the care of numerous animal species in order that these animals may be
used in research studies, following laws and established standards of animal care.
• Records births, weanings, and deaths, and tracks the productivity of the animals so
that there will be sufficient numbers for the research projects.
• Cleans, transports, and maintains animal cages, housing, and associated operating
rooms.
• Restrains and transports animals.
• Collects samples for clinical analysis. Monitors and records general health of
animals.
• Administers anesthetics, medications, and treatment by subcutaneous,
intramuscular, and intravenous injections, oral administration and topical
administration.
• Euthanizes animals using carbon dioxide inhalation or other methods. Participates
in the collection of tissue samples during necropsies.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
This position requires a high school diploma or equivalent and one year of experience
involving animal handling. One year of college coursework in biology, agricultural/animal
science, or a related field may substitute for the experience requirement.
Legal, Licensure, & USF Requirements
Certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (ALAS) as an
Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) is required within six months of hire.