Animal Caretaker Job Description

Animal Caretaker Job Description

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Animal caretaker provides care for all small animal species on a daily basis in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Animal Caretaker Duties & Responsibilities

To write an effective animal caretaker job description, begin by listing detailed duties, responsibilities and expectations. We have included animal caretaker job description templates that you can modify and use.

Sample responsibilities for this position include:

Applies a high level of skill, observation, and knowledge of a wide variety of animal species and recognizes minute yet significant changes or disease (e.g., changes in the appearance of fur, loss of activity, paralysis, unusual behavior, ) and alerts the investigator, technician, or veterinarian
Apply a high level of skill, observation, and knowledge of a wide variety of animal species and recognizes minute yet significant changes or disease (e.g., changes in the appearance of fur, loss of activity, paralysis, unusual behavior, ) and alerts the investigator, technician, or veterinarian
Attend in house training programs to become more knowledgeable of and develop expertise in lab animal science
Maintain close contact with faculty and student researchers, and with the University's consulting veterinarian
Is responsible for the receipt, examination, verification, and caging of all incoming laboratory animals to Building 1408, Building 1412 and Building 1425
Ensures room designations and quarantine procedures for incoming animals shall be strictly adhered to in accordance with the SOPs
The Contractor shall have qualified personnel who are capable of competently (which includes safely) restraining the species with which they are working
Contractor must exercise considerable skill in tending animals, pre- and post-operatively, and particularly in instances where medical devices have been surgically implanted
Utilizes biological and/or industrial safety procedures which are in direct relation to animal caretaking and involves the use of specially designed equipment and procedures for protection of the Animal Caretaker t and his/her co¬workers, for prevention of cross infection by other laboratory animals, and for the containment of infectious materials within the laboratory suite
Contractor will operate a forklift and shall be licensed within 6 months of being at USAMRIID

Animal Caretaker Qualifications

Qualifications for a job description may include education, certification, and experience.

Licensing or Certifications for Animal Caretaker

List any licenses or certifications required by the position: ALAT, AALAS, LAT, MRI

Education for Animal Caretaker

Typically a job would require a certain level of education.

Employers hiring for the animal caretaker job most commonly would prefer for their future employee to have a relevant degree such as High School and Associate Degree in Education, General Education, Veterinary Technology, Animal Care, Science, Veterinary Science, Biology, Animal Behavior, Technology, Technical

Skills for Animal Caretaker

Desired skills for animal caretaker include:

Develop expertise in lab animal science
Computers
Disease and alerts the investigator
Technician
Veterinarian
Wide variety of animal species and recognizes minute yet significant changes
Livestock care
Standard operating procedures for laboratory animal care
Routine tasks associated with general laboratory animal care
Standard operating procedures for all patient species in the hospital

Desired experience for animal caretaker includes:

Monitor certification/maintenance dates on medical equipment and notify the TOCOR/TPOC and animal caretaker working lead in a timely fashion of certifications that are coming due
Provide training to USAMRIID personnel as requested by TOCOR or the Director, VMD (or delegated representative)
Contract employee working in containment areas BSL 3 and 4 must meet Biological Personnel Reliability Program (BPRP) and Select Agent requirements in accordance with Army Regulation 50-1
In order to maintain AAALACi accreditation, travel to local (75 mile radius) research facilities to observe and learn or develop novel animal husbandry approaches to facilitate animal care at USAMRIID
This candidate will enter as a non-containment caretaker
Work requires continuous standing and walking on concrete or hard surfaced floors, climbing, working in a bent position and carrying materials up to 75 pounds

Animal Caretaker Examples

1

Animal Caretaker Job Description

Job Description Example
Our innovative and growing company is searching for experienced candidates for the position of animal caretaker. Please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications. While this is our ideal list, we will consider candidates that do not necessarily have all of the qualifications, but have sufficient experience and talent.
Responsibilities for animal caretaker
  • In addition, will work in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
  • Shall assist in providing non-routine assignment care, a change in procedure, special problems, , but is responsible for independently selecting, applying, and modifying appropriate laboratory animal care procedures for species and condition of the animals utilized in experimentation
  • Close visual attention is necessary in a majority of work and it is the responsibility of the contractor to inform the investigator, technicians, supervisor and veterinarians of abnormalities, changes, , in animal conditions
  • Shall have qualified personnel who are capable of competently (which includes safely) restraining the species with which they are working
  • Must exercise considerable skill in tending animals, pre- and post-operatively, and particularly in instances where medical devices have been surgically implanted
  • Will operate a forklift and shall be licensed within 6 months of being at USAMRIID
  • Employee working in containment areas BSL 3 and 4 must meet Biological Personnel Reliability Program (BPRP) and Select Agent requirements in accordance with Army Regulation 50-1
  • In addition, the employee will work in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
  • The Animal Caretaker is responsible for participating fully in all aspects of animal work including those relative to animal receipt, observation and husbandry related to experimental procedures
  • Variable work hours, to include 24/7 coverage, evenings/nights, weekends, Government holidays, and during unforeseen closures or circumstances may apply, as requested by COR, TOCOR, or the Director, VMD (or delegated representative) to meet mission requirements
Qualifications for animal caretaker
  • Performing general laboratory animal housekeeping and facility cleaning duties
  • Assists professional personnel in performing veterinary procedures
  • Documents specific observations or findings on appropriate forms
  • Utilizes biological and/or industrial safety procedures which are in direct relation to animal caretaking and involves the use of specially designed equipment and procedures for protection of the Animal Caretaker and his/her co¬workers, for prevention of cross infection by other laboratory animals, and for the containment of infectious materials within the laboratory suite
  • Monitor certification/maintenance dates on medical equipment and notify the customer and animal caretaker working lead in a timely fashion of certifications that are coming due
  • Must be able to regularly lift and carry weights of approximately 50 pounds
2

Animal Caretaker Job Description

Job Description Example
Our innovative and growing company is searching for experienced candidates for the position of animal caretaker. Please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications. While this is our ideal list, we will consider candidates that do not necessarily have all of the qualifications, but have sufficient experience and talent.
Responsibilities for animal caretaker
  • Tasks to include cage changing and sanitation, general animal housekeeping and cleaning duties
  • Performing related duties required for the proper care, feeding and housing of laboratory animal
  • Sweeps, mops, and scrubs floors
  • Assists supervisor in instruction and training of assigned support employees
  • Assists in the fabrication or modification of equipment
  • Assists in animal treatment, surgery, and autopsies
  • Cleans and sterilizes animal utensils, cages, pens, rooms, and related support areas utilizing steam and chemical or soap solutions according to prescribed sanitary standards
  • Assists in animal experimentation procedures, up to and including surgery
  • Performs minor maintenance on animal cages and equipment
  • Records experimental data
Qualifications for animal caretaker
  • Upon proper training, must be able to euthanize animals
  • Pre-appointment physical examination required
  • Must either have ALAT cert or successfully pass ALAT exam within 12 months of hire if they have animal experience
  • Two (2) years laboratory animal care experience with high school diploma
  • Second level AALAS* certification required for CAR** employees
  • Maintains equipment, instrument, and supply inventories
3

Animal Caretaker Job Description

Job Description Example
Our innovative and growing company is looking to fill the role of animal caretaker. We appreciate you taking the time to review the list of qualifications and to apply for the position. If you don’t fill all of the qualifications, you may still be considered depending on your level of experience.
Responsibilities for animal caretaker
  • Assists researchers in the recording of research data
  • Orders, receives, and stocks feed and bedding
  • Evaluates environmental support systems to ensure that they are working properly
  • Cleans cages, pens, and animal areas according to prescribed sanitary standards
  • Assembles and prepares cages and equipment for use in animal rooms
  • Maintains record of equipment sanitation functions
  • Performs maintenance and minor repairs to animal cages and equipment
  • Oversees minor construction and repairs of animal care facilities
  • Provide for care of laboratory animals in a humane, safe and sanitary manner using appropriate equipment and established procedures
  • Maintain a daily room activity log of each assigned room
Qualifications for animal caretaker
  • Candidate shall be licensed and able to operate a forklift within 12 months of employment
  • Responsible for daily care of various laboratory species
  • Monitor health of animals and room environments and report abnormal conditions
  • Operate and maintain equipment used in cage preparation and room sanitation
  • Work may involve the use of potentially hazardous chemical, biological, or radiological materials or may be located in areas where such materials are used and require adherence to strict safety protocols
  • Feed and water the animals daily and administer special diets and water according to specified protocols and directions
4

Animal Caretaker Job Description

Job Description Example
Our innovative and growing company is looking for an animal caretaker. If you are looking for an exciting place to work, please take a look at the list of qualifications below.
Responsibilities for animal caretaker
  • Observe animals for clinical signs of disease and behavioral changes and report observations using appropriate IAS forms
  • Observe and maintain proper cage densities in their assigned animal rooms
  • Report and correct any violation of cage density, guideline using established IAS cage density policies
  • Receive, transport and distribute incoming animals as specified by established animal receiving procedures
  • Operate and maintain the cage-washer, bottle washer, tunnel-washer, autoclave, biological safety cabinet and other support equipment
  • Notify Facility Supervisor or Lead of minor repairs
  • Operate and maintain the cage-washer, bottle washer, tunnel-washer, autoclave, biological safety cabinet and other support Observe and report any aberrations in animal room environments
  • Water and weigh rodents
  • Provide animal care and husbandry to the animals during experimental and non-experimental periods
  • House animals in appropriate size and types of cages to meet protocol and regulation requirements
Qualifications for animal caretaker
  • ALAT Certificate
  • The ideal candidate will possess good written and verbal communication skills
  • Due to the nature of the work, individual must be able to pay close attention to detail and must be physically fit to do heavy repetitive lifting and pushing of equipment daily
  • Must not be allergic to animals, latex, waste products, bedding or solutions
  • Ability to administer oral, ocular, and aural medications
  • Work may involve the use of potentially hazardous material, including biological and chemical carcinogen or radiological materials or may be located in areas where such materials are used, require the use of personal protective equipment and adherence to strict safety protocol
5

Animal Caretaker Job Description

Job Description Example
Our company is hiring for an animal caretaker. To join our growing team, please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications.
Responsibilities for animal caretaker
  • Assist professional personnel in performing veterinary procedures for VMD personnel, positioning and holding animals during research or treatment procedures
  • The Individual shall have qualified personnel who are capable of competently (which includes safely) restraining the species with which they are working
  • Individual must exercise considerable skill in tending animals, pre- and post-operatively, and particularly in instances where medical devices have been surgically implanted
  • Document specific observations or findings on appropriate forms
  • Utilize biological and/or industrial safety procedures which are in direct relation to animal caretaking and involves the use of specially designed equipment and procedures for protection of the Animal Caretaker and his/her coworkers, for prevention of cross infection by other laboratory animals, and for the containment of infectious materials within the laboratory suite
  • Individual will operate a forklift and shall be licensed within 6 months of being at USAMRIID
  • Employee will enter as a non-containment caretaker
  • Assists professional personnel in performing veterinary procedures for VMD personnel, positioning and holding animals during research or treatment procedures
  • Monitoring feed quality and water supply
  • Monitoring barn environment and ventilation systems
Qualifications for animal caretaker
  • Must be able to lift at least 50
  • The qualified candidate must be well organized, reliable, punctual, possess good attention to detail and good communication skills
  • The successful candidate must possess a high school diploma or equivalent and a minimum of 1-3 years of relevant experience
  • An A.S
  • Work schedule will include rotating weekend and holiday hours
  • Treating and vaccinating sick animals as necessary

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