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Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
The Division of Comparative Medicine (DCM) is responsible for the care of all vertebrate animals on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) campus. DCM is committed to programs of excellence in veterinary care and laboratory animal management practices for all species used in UNC-CH research endeavors.
A staff of more than 170 professional, technical, and administrative personnel provides quality animal care to a daily population of over 200,000 animals located in 26 animal facilities on and off the UNC campus. Federal funding and foundations sponsor over $1 billion in research on the UNC campus conducted by the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Public Health, Pharmacy, as well as the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology.
A major responsibility of the Division’s veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and laboratory technicians is the health care and humane use of all animals. The Division’s program is reviewed semi-annually by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, and has been accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC) since 1973. DCM and the University also meet U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Public Health Service standards and regulations. As laboratory animal specialists they provide a comprehensive program of veterinary care, offer technical advice and assistance, and provide needed laboratory and research core services for teaching and research purposes.
Position Summary
The Laboratory Animal Technician is responsible for the daily care of research animals, including cage cleaning and sanitation, animal observation, handling and restraint, treatments, investigator support/communication, facility maintenance, and working with USDA species.
Emergency duties required during adverse weather and/or other emergency situations. Weekend and holiday work required occasionally on a rotating basis.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
- Must be able to achieve AALAS certification at the ALAT level within the first year in this position.
- Qualified applicants must have a demonstrated ability to work well with others.
- Requires a demonstrated ability to effectively communicate.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
- Animal technician training.
- Experience in a laboratory animal setting.
- Working knowledge of breeding, weaning, and record-keeping.
- Certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) at the ALAT level or higher strongly preferred.
Required Licenses/Certifications
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
- Ability to move/lift 50 pounds with or without accommodation.
- Requires prolonged and/or repetitive reaching, bending, and twisting.
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities
Not Applicable.
Position/Schedule Requirements
Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens, Exposure to Hazardous Materials, Laboratory, Overtime occasionally, Weekend work occasionally