Level IV
Laboratory Animal Technologist/Supervisor
BASIC SUMMARY:
Take responsibility for and provide daily oversight for the operations of the animal facility and ensure compliance
with standard operating procedures, recruit, hire, train and manage performance of the animal care staff and
provide career development opportunities, assist research investigators, veterinarians and management staff
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
P rovide oversight for and assist in performance of, as
necessary, all tasks and duties described for Level I, Level II
and Level III
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R eview, comprehend and comply with all standard operating
procedures pertaining to specific operational areas and duties
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S ubmit work orders for equipment and facilities repairs as
needed
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R ecruit, hire, supervise, schedule, train and manage
performance of animal care staff
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P rovide career development opportunities for the animal
care staff
F requently communicate with and resolve problems that arise
with research investigators and animal care staff and ensure
that research project requirements are met
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onitor, maintain and provide minor repairs for equipment.
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Ensure all preventive maintenance services for facility
equipment is performed according to required schedules
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onitor animal receipt, housing, and entry of animal census
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data
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Plan and coordinate daily room assignments and schedules
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onitor compliance with applicable animal welfare regulations,
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policies and guidelines and standard operating procedures
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oordinate collection of monthly census data to ensure accuC
rate billing to research investigators, as applicable
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A ssist the veterinarian, technologist and research investigators
with medical treatments and technical services
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P erform inventory of supplies (e.g., food, bedding, waste bags)
and order supplies as needed or convey supply needs to
administrative office
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A ssist in planning, implementation and conduct of formal
on-the-job training programs for the animal care staff and
research investigators
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P lan, develop and complete special projects for the
management staff
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rite and review standard operating procedures and ensure aniW
mal facility and research investigator compliance with procedures
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Perform other duties as assigned
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Inspect and provide daily oversight of animals, equipment,
supplies and related service areas of the animal facility
The Massachusetts Society for Medical Research was founded
in 1953. We are a non-profit organization providing education
and member services. Our mission is: We promote and enhance
biomedical and biological research, including the humane care and
use of animals, for the improved health and well-being of people,
animals, and the environment.
A Career in
Laboratory
Animal Science
The goal of MSMR is to foster a better understanding of biomedicine by improving basic literacy in and enthusiasm for the biological sciences among the public, the media, and future generations.
To learn more about careers in laboratory animal science, visit the
Careers section of our website at www.msmr.org/school_list.html.
MAINE
VERMONT
NEW
HAMPSHIRE
MASSACHUSETTS
QUALIFICATIONS:
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Education: Bachelors or Associates degree preferred, high school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED) required.
Experience and Certification/Licensure: At least 5 years of relevant laboratory animal science experience preferred, AALAS LATg
certification preferred, more years of relevant Experience and Certification/Licensure: At least 5 years of relevant laboratory animal
science experience preferred, American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATg) certification preferred; more years of relevant experience with Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) or Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician
(ALAT) certification and additional certifications as applicable after hire.
Level IV
AALAS Certified
Annual Salary Range*
Minimum
Mean
$43,782
$59,214
Maximum
$74,892
*Salary and benefits information obtained from “Laboratory Animal Facility Compensation Survey 2010,” New England Region, copyright 2010 by the American Association for Laboratory
Animal Science. Benefits typically include medical, vision, dental, disability and life insurance; savings or retirement plan; and continuing education.
EMPLOYMENT:
Colleges, universities, medical & dental schools, veterinary schools, research hospitals, research institutes,
biotechnology firms, pharmaceutical firms, medical device firms, contract research organizations, government agencies
CONNECTICUT
RHODE ISLAND
Massachusetts Society for Medical Research, Inc.
73 Princeton Street, Suite 311
North Chelmsford, MA 01863
Phone 978.251.1556
Fax 978.251.7683
www.msmr.org
Level I – Entry Level
Laboratory Animal Caretaker/Cage Washer
Level II
Laboratory Animal Technician
Level III
Laboratory Animal Technologist
BASIC SUMMARY:
BASIC SUMMARY:
BASIC SUMMARY:
Perform procedures in the facility cage wash area to include sanitization and sterilization of caging equipment
and supplies, operate and perform minor maintenance on cage wash equipment, and perform general housekeeping tasks
Perform animal husbandry tasks to include daily clinical observations of animals to ensure animal health, changing
cages and ensuring adequate provision of food, water and enrichment devices for animals, and maintaining accurate records of completion of required husbandry tasks
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
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ollect and process animal facility waste and animal carcasses
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for proper disposal
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Perform all tasks and duties described for Level I
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Receive and store equipment and supplies
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Monitor quantities of supplies (e.g., food, bedding) to ensure
adequate stocks at all times
R eview, comprehend and comply with all standard operating
procedures pertaining to specific operational areas and duties
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aintain animal housing areas including facility and animal
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holding room personnel entry requirements to include use of
personal protective equipment and disinfection of equipment
and supplies moving into the areas
R eview, comprehend and comply with all standard operating
procedures pertaining to specific operational areas and duties
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F ollow facility and cage wash area entry procedures to include
appropriate disinfection of items entering the facility and proper
use of personal protective equipment
perate equipment (e.g., bulk autoclaves, tunnel washers,
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rack washers, bedding dispensers, water bottle fillers) and use
supplies necessary to accomplish assigned tasks
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Maintain and rotate feed and bedding supplies
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Maintain accurate records of completion of required duties in
support areas as required by facility
onitor and perform minor preventive maintenance on
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equipment. Conduct tests to document effective function
of equipment
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P rocess cages, carts, cage racks, water bottles, environmental
enrichment devices and other caging components and accessories through the rack washer, tunnel washer and autoclave
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Should be able to spend significant time each day on his or
her feet.
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Participate in holiday and weekend duty rotation for animal
care and husbandry
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Perform other duties as assigned
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E nsure that adequate quantities of sanitized/sterilized
caging equipment and supplies are consistently available to
support animal husbandry needs
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Prepare disinfectant solutions for use in the animal facility
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P erform general housekeeping services. Duties include
sweeping and mopping floors in corridors and support areas
(e.g., cage wash areas, storage areas, procedure rooms)
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May participate in animal husbandry tasks to include animal
health observations and checking quantities of food and water
in cages
Maintain required attendance level and adherence to assigned
work schedule
QUALIFICATIONS:
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Education: High school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED) required
Experience: Zero to 3 months or more of animal care experience in an animal facility or similar environment required
Certification/Licensure: May require American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) Assistant Laboratory Animal
Technician (ALAT) certification within1 – 2 years of hire.
Level I
Non-AALAS Certified
Annual Salary Range*
Minimum
Mean
$27,173
$32,336
Maximum
$39,068
*Salary and benefits information obtained from “Laboratory Animal Facility Compensation Survey 2010,” New England Region, copyright 2010 by the American Association for Laboratory
Animal Science. Benefits typically include medical, vision, dental, disability and life insurance; savings or retirement plan; and continuing education.
EMPLOYMENT:
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
− Perform procedures as required (e.g., exposure to dirty bedding) to maintain cages of sentinel animals in rodent housing
areas
− May maintain animal breeding colonies to include breeding
and weaning of litters
Colleges, universities, medical & dental schools, veterinary schools, research hospitals, research institutes,
biotechnology firms, pharmaceutical firms, medical device firms, contract research organizations, government agencies
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Perform all tasks and duties described for Level I and Level II
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R eview, comprehend and comply with all standard operating
procedures pertaining to specific operational areas and duties
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A ssist laboratory animal technicians in assessing animal health,
documenting and communicating abnormal clinical observations
in animals, and in completing their other work assignments
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May participate in ordering animals from animal vendors
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A dminister medical treatments to animals by multiple routes of
administration to include topical, IV, IP, IM and PO as instructed
by a veterinarian or supervisor
n Administer
medical treatments to animals by multiple routes of
administration as instructed by a veterinarian or supervisor
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A ssist with animal restraint, handling and transporting various
animal species as assigned
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ommunicate with principal investigators and their research
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staff and take responsibility for special projects
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ay require training and work in areas where hazardous agents
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areused
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Perform other duties as assigned
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QUALIFICATIONS:
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Perform animal husbandry duties to include:
− Receipt and uncrating of animals received from animal vendors
− Daily clinical observations of animals to ensure animal health
− Documentation of and communication for any abnormal
clinical signs observed in animals
− Daily checks of water bottles or automatic water devices to
ensure animals’ access to water
− Daily checks to ensure appropriate quantities of food are
available to animals
− Perform cage changing procedures
Provide specialized care for animals requiring special clinical observations and medical treatments, participate in
animal health surveillance and sentinel testing programs, provide technical services support for research investigators, provide pre- and post-operative care for animals, provide training for animal facility staff and research investigators, and assist facility supervisors
Education: High school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED) required
Experience: At least 6-12 months of laboratory0 animal science or related experience
Certification/Licensure: American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT)
certification preferred or within 12 months of hire.
A ssist the veterinarian in examinations of animals and conduct of
diagnostic tests to assess animal health
A ssist the veterinarian and research investigators with pre- and
post-operative care, anesthesia and surgical procedures to
include preparation of sterile surgical instruments, calculation of
doses for and administration of anesthetic and analgesic drugs,
aseptic preparation of the surgical site, assisting with surgical
procedures and recording post-operative clinical observations
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P rovide technical services in support of the conduct of
research studies (e.g., record body weights, administer test
agents by different routes of injection, collect blood samples,
euthanize animals)
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onitor and maintain breeding colonies which may include
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collection of blood or tissue samples for genotyping
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ommunicate regularly with principal investigators and research
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staff to ensure that research project requirements are met
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Provide training for animal facility staff and research investigators
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A ssist supervisors with coordination of daily work schedules for
animal caretakers and laboratory animal technicians
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A ssist supervisor by participating in the conduct of routine
inspections of animal holding rooms, procedure rooms and other
support areas, to ensure that areas are being maintained in accordance with standard operating procedures
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A ssist supervisor in coordinating facility operations with the
assistance of other staff
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Maintain accurate records to document completion of all tasks
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P articipate in maintaining the animal health surveillance and
sentinel testing programs
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ay require training and work in areas where hazardous
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biologic or chemical agents are used
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P articipate in the environmental enrichment program and
perform animal behavioral assessments
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Perform other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Bachelors degree or Associates degree preferred, high school diploma or general equivalency diplomas (GED) required.
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xperience and Certification/Licensure: At least 2 – 5 years of relevant laboratory animal science experience, American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) and/or Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) certification
and achievement of the Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATg) certification within 1 – 2 years of hire.
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Level II
AALAS Certified
Annual Salary Range*
Minimum
Mean
$29,286
$35,606
Maximum
$44,810
*Salary and benefits information obtained from “Laboratory Animal Facility Compensation Survey 2010,” New England Region, copyright 2010 by the American Association for Laboratory
Animal Science. Benefits typically include medical, vision, dental, disability and life insurance; savings or retirement plan; and continuing education.
EMPLOYMENT:
Colleges, universities, medical & dental schools, veterinary schools, research hospitals, research institutes,
biotechnology firms, pharmaceutical firms, medical device firms, contract research organizations, government agencies
Level III
AALAS Certified
Annual Salary Range*
Minimum
Mean
$34,662
$46,297
Maximum
$53,415
*Salary and benefits information obtained from “Laboratory Animal Facility Compensation Survey 2010,” New England Region, copyright 2010 by the American Association for Laboratory
Animal Science. Benefits typically include medical, vision, dental, disability and life insurance; savings or retirement plan; and continuing education.
EMPLOYMENT:
Colleges, universities, medical & dental schools, veterinary schools, research hospitals, research institutes,
biotechnology firms, pharmaceutical firms, medical device firms, contract research organizations, government agencies