Overview

Tufts Comparative Medicine Services (CMS) provides facilities, services, and information to facilitate effective research using laboratory animals at Tufts University and Tufts Medical Center in Boston and Tufts University in Medford. CMS is also obligated to ensure that animal care procedures and animal experimentation comply with federal, state, and local regulations. The management and operation of the animal care activities of all sites are integral to the animal care and use program. All centralized facilities are located within a 2-block radius, either in Boston or Medford and house in excess of 40,000 animals daily.

What You'll Do

The Animal Care Technologist in the Rodent Breeding Service (RBS) is responsible for maintaining rodent colonies for investigative staff and assisting investigative staff with challenges with breeding their rodent colonies. Weekly reports are also generated and sent to the investigative staff to communicate the status of their colonies. It is also expected that the technologist will be trained to perform health rounds on large and small animals on campus in order to assist the Animal Health Service with their duties as needed. The animals are evaluated daily in our large animal housing facility and weekly in our rodent colonies at our Boston Campus and per assigned on the Medford campus. The technologist will follow the procedures and guidelines approved by these institutions.

Essential functions as an Animal Care Technologist will be:

Technical Assistance - specific to Rodent Breeding Service

• Assist Investigators with gene targeted rodent breeding programs including establishing time matings, weaning, tissue collection, identification and record keeping.

Technical Assistance - general

• Assist Investigators with experimental procedures including restraint, injections, blood collections, tissue and fluid harvest, euthanasia and necropsy.
• Assist with the federally mandated program for teaching humane animal use procedures.

Animal Care

• Administer medications and provide care to animals
• Assist Veterinarians and Investigators in procedures performed on laboratory animals (ex. treatments, surgical procedures and pre and postoperative care)
• Monitor animal anesthesia and maintain anesthesia equipment
  Ensure compliance with government regulations for animal housed at this institution
• Provide necessary enrichment for animals housed at this institution

Training

• Actively participates in interdepartmental and continuing education seminars
• Conduct Investigator training seminars and wet lab sessions on a monthly basis
• Keep up with current developments in methods, standards, and requirements for training in animal research and current laws, regulations, and policies governing animal research, teaching, and testing.
• Assist in a training program for CMS personnel
• Maintain complete and accurate records regarding training activities

Compliance

• Report on quality assurance findings with Director and develop methods to correct items of non-compliance.
• Maintain compliance at the facility, state, and federal levels governing the use of animals in research
• Assist in monitoring the compliance of the occupational health and safety program
• Maintain complete and accurate records of compliance reviews and correspondence with CMS and Investigative staff.

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements:

• Years of related experience required: 1 - 3 years Veterinary Technician or Laboratory Animal Medicine experience
• Knowledge and experience as typically acquired by Associates Degree or equivalent
• Special licenses required: Technician will be required to achieve Laboratory Animal Technician certification within 3 years of employment
• Required computer/technical skills: Familiarity with Microsoft Soft Office Suite
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. with or without accommodation

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, 3-5 years of experience, and/or LAT certification
• Basic knowledge of genetics and reproductive biology of rodents

Pay Range

Minimum $22.10, Midpoint $26.30, Maximum $30.50
 

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.