Job Description

Overview

The Animal Technologist reports directly to the Animal Resources Facility (ARF) Technical Services Manager or Technologist Supervisor. The Animal Technologist provides animal clinical care and treatment to research animals as prescribed by the ARF Technical Services (TS) Manager/Supervisor and as directed by the Attending Veterinarian. Under the direction of the TS Manager may assist in packing and shipping sentinel animals to Charles River Laboratories for diagnostic testing. Identify animals by ear punch, ear tag number or toe clip.  Maybe asked to assist in some technical support duties.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Responsibilities

• Routine handling, restraint, identification (including ear notching, tagging, tattooing, and toe clipping) of common laboratory animals.
• Assists in the monitoring animal colonies for injured, sick, moribund, or dead animals and recording/reporting any findings.
• Assists in maintaining animal health records for on-going treatments in the HMR/IACUC database.
• Assists in separating overcrowded cages as necessary, transcribing correct animal information onto cage cards/ECCs after separations, and entering information accurately into Technical Services database.
• Assists the Technologists in collection of sentinel animals. This includes accurate sentinel animal identification (room/rack #) for scheduled shipment to Charles River Laboratories for pathogen testing.  
• Maintains and reports accurate records, including but not limited to; technical service records, electronic cage cards, animal census, breeding records, transgenic data, anesthesia machine logs, animal receiving and disposition logs, etc.
• Assists TS Manager or Principal Technologist with Intramural and LC Quarantine Animal Transfers.

Qualifications

Minimum Experience:

High School Diploma or GED required. BA/BS preferred.

Minimum Education:

1 year working in an AAALAC-accredited laboratory animal facility preferred.

License/Certification/Registration:

AALAS certification at the Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) or Laboratory Animal Technologist (LAT) level is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Willingness to learn IP, IV, SQ injections, oral gavage, and blood collection.,
• Ability to Assist Technical Services Manager as directed with Intramural Transfers and Animal Exports/Imports.
• Computer literacy in word processing and database record keeping in support of laboratory animal operations preferred.
• Organized and meticulous in record keeping.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate with members of a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent interpersonal skills are required.
• Working knowledge of basic computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, and other related software.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) has strict guidelines regarding the presence of rodents in employees' homes due to the potential impact on research integrity and patient safety. Employees who work in certain roles, particularly those involving laboratory settings or animal research, must ensure their living environment does not pose a risk of contamination or interference with DFCI’s work. As a result, employees in designated positions are required to confirm that they do not have pet rodents at home or, if they do, agree to rehome them before starting employment. Failure to comply with this requirement may affect eligibility for employment in specific roles at DFCI.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong.  As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff.  Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

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