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Under the supervision of the area supervisor, the Principal Animal Technician (PAT) acts as a facility leader within the Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DLAM). The PAT typically oversees the daily work activities of a group of typically 3 or more FTE employees and assist with the recommendations for staff performance evaluations, hiring, and coaching. The PAT in addition may head projects that require a higher level of technical skill. Performs routine animal husbandry and/or cage wash tasks at the operative level, including Cage wash & Biosecurity & Hazard Containment (Haz Con) areas as needed. Performs routine animal husbandry tasks including cleaning, watering, feeding, and grooming of common laboratory animals following department procedures and guidelines of the American Association of Laboratory Animal Sciences Manual for Laboratory Technicians; develops and implements proper processes, personnel training, equipment checks and maintenance, area maintenance, transportation of cages and caging accessories between buildings within campus, and serves as a backup for planned and unplanned employee absences. Under the direction of the area supervisor, conducts quality assurance checks in the assigned support areas to verify compliance with internal SOPs, WI, forms as well as with UCLA and extramural regulations that govern cage wash operations in an animal care and use program. Overtime, holiday, and weekend work may be required.
Salary Range: $31.34 – $41.36 Hourly
All Required:
- At least 3 years of experience working in animal‑related animal care.
- Valid California driver’s license, a driving record in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enrollment in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.
- Comprehensive knowledge of animal husbandry procedures to care for laboratory animals in an experimental environment attested by AALAS at the ALAT level or higher.
- Knowledge of habits and appearances of laboratory animals to notice deviations from normal.
- Ability to troubleshoot issues and implement strategies to address them. Skill in handling a variety of animals in a variety of situations sufficient to prevent injury or distress to the animal or self.
- Ability to lift 50‑pound bags of feed, 60–70‑pound animals, and push 200–300‑pound cage racks of animals.
- Full knowledge of disinfection, sanitation, and cleaning agents; ability to use cleaning and sanitizing materials and techniques to maintain a healthful environment.
- Ability to head projects that require higher technical skill. Knowledge and skills working with Microsoft Office and other basic processors.
- Ability to euthanize rats and mice using CO₂ chambers, follow required procedures, confirm death, and properly label and dispose of euthanized animals, including biohazardous animals.
- Knowledge of contamination‑control practices, including engineering, administrative, and procedural controls for pathogen containment; disinfection and waste‑handling methods; and work in Hazcon and biocontainment animal facilities up to BSL‑2 with BSL‑3 practices.
- Knowledge of and ability to accurately follow all SOPs associated with a GLP study, including protocol‑required and GLP documentation procedures.
- Ability to train staff members and serve as a mentor. Skill in motivating others and stimulating effective action.
- Husbandry and cagewash services as operationally needed.
- Ability to effectively communicate in English, verbally and in writing, with the Animal Care Supervisor and veterinarian, other campus teams/offices, and external vendors.
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