Technician I - NecropsyWork with Purpose

A technician I is in training to perform and become competent in on-boarding skills, procedures, and cooperating in a team environment. Post-Life minimally includes administrative functions and activities within Necropsy and Histology.  Within these laboratories, this individual may support the handling of tissues and organs, trimming tissues, embedding, measuring organ weights; microtomy, slide preparation, staining; inventory and quality control, and shipping of tissues.  Additionally, the technician may support euthanasia and sedation; animal procedures including dissection; collection of samples and weights; laboratory preparation, set up and cleaning; preparation of laboratory solutions.  The technician is usually working closely with a trainer or buddy but becoming more independent.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure good welfare and humane care for all animals worked with through gentle, positive human-animal interactions.
• Train in on-boarding skills which may include handling tissues and organs, trimming tissues, embedding, measuring organ weights; microtomy, slide preparation, staining; inventory and quality control, and shipping of tissues. Specific skills will be based on each area’s training plan and business needs.
• Train in on-boarding skills which may include animal handling, euthanasia, and sedation; animal procedures including dissection; collection of samples and weights; laboratory preparation, set up and cleaning; preparation of laboratory solutions. Specific skills will be based on each area’s training plan and business needs.
• Collect, document, review, and verify data in electronic data capture systems.
• Review documentation of functions performed as part of quality control requirements.
• Learn how to use and maintain instrumentation and equipment.
• Learn and know anatomic terms.
• Receive, track, and prepare samples or materials, as required for department. 
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.
   

• Education: High school diploma or General Education Degree (G.E.D.) required. Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) or equivalent in a biological science, preferred. 
• Experience: No previous experience required.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.
• Certification/Licensure: None, unless required by local government.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities to achieve goals.
• Computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite), commensurate with essential functions, including the ability to learn a validated system.
• Ability to ensure that a safe working environment is maintained by observing all safety procedures and working methods by making proper use of protective clothing and equipment, and by reading, understanding, and following all safety documents issued or notified of.
• Ability to ensure the integrity of the studies and fulfill the regulatory agencies requirements by performing the activities according to the Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Business Operating Procedures (BOP) and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) rules.
• Ability to work extended hours beyond normal work schedule to include, but not limited to evenings, weekends, extended shifts, and/or extra shifts, sometimes on short notice.
• Ability to work under specific time constraints.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Employees must be able to lift, move, manipulate, and/or hold heavy objects up to and including 50 pounds; this includes work materials, equipment, and/or animals. 
• Must be able to perform laboratory procedures, which require, talking, hearing, standing, or sitting for long periods of time, entering data into a computer, using appropriate instruments, reaching with hands and arms, working in narrow spaces, and wearing safety equipment (PPE) according to OSHA regulations and company standards. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 

 
WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

• Work in a research environment, which requires use of sharp objects, working around mechanical parts, working with or near known or unknown toxic or caustic chemicals and/or biological hazards, exposure to fumes and airborne particles, working at noise levels ranging from moderate to loud.
• The employee regularly works with live animals with risk of exposure to allergens, zoonotic disease, and biohazards.  
• The noise level in the work environment ranges from low to high depending upon the species housed. 

COMMENTS: 

• This position requires overtime, weekend, holiday, and/or after hours shift coverage, as needed.

The pay range for this position is $20/hour.  Please note that salaries vary within the range based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, certifications, and location.