Research Support Specialist, Animal Care Program

About City of Hope

City of Hope, an innovative biomedical research, treatment and educational institution with over 6000 employees, is dedicated to the prevention and cure of cancer and other life-threatening diseases and guided by a compassionate, patient-centered philosophy.

Founded in 1913 and headquartered in Duarte, California, City of Hope is a remarkable non-profit institution, where compassion and advanced care go hand-in-hand with excellence in clinical and scientific research. City of Hope is a National Cancer Institute designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation's leading cancer centers that develops and institutes standards of care for cancer treatment.

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Animal Care Supervisor, is responsible for the husbandry care of laboratory animals, including monitoring and reporting animal health status, providing feed and water, changing cages, environmental monitoring, documenting animal room activities, and sanitizing assigned animal holding rooms and support areas. Position may also assist with training and operational support.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Observes all animals in assigned work area and reports any sick, injured or distressed animals to an Animal Health Technician or the Clinical Veterinarian.
• Changes cages at scheduled intervals and whenever needed to support animal health and well being. Ensures animals have adequate food and water at all times.
• Documents daily animal husbandry activities in a computer database system.
• Monitors and documents animal holding room environment. Reports non-compliant environmental parameters and/or malfunctioning equipment to the Animal Care Supervisor or Facilities Manager.
• Maintains animal holding rooms and assigned support areas in a clean and orderly state.
• Sanitizes animal holding rooms and assigned support areas.
• Performs weekly animal census accurately and reconciles discrepancies in a timely manner in accordance with DCM/ARC policies.
• Performs rack changes and animal transfer station/biosafety cabinet maintenance as required.
• Restrains animals for various technical procedures such as subcutaneous or intraperitoneal injections. May assist with diagnostic sample collection such as blood or feces collection.
• Provides technical services to investigators including mixing and dispensing special diets, medicating drinking water, providing special housing requirements or assisting with specific restraint and handling procedures.
• Humanely euthanizes animals as requested or required.
• Performs other animal care related duties or facility maintenance as required.
• Provides guidance to newly hired animal care Research Support Technicians.
• Trouble shoots rack, facilities, and operational issues as needed and informs Animal Care Supervisor of problems as they arise.
• May assist animal breeding Research Support Technicians and Specialists with responsibilities related to breeding of mouse colonies.
• Performs duties in accordance with DCM/ARC Standard Operating Procedures and City of Hope safety policies.
• Participates in training sessions, staff meetings, and continuing education activities.
• Interacts/establishes working relationships and communicates effectively and positively with research and Animal Resources Center staff.
• Attends meetings as required.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

Basic education, experience and skills required for consideration:

• High School or equivalent.
• 2+ years of animal care experience working in a laboratory animal research program.

Required Certification/Licensure:

• AALAS ALAT certification.

Preferred education experience and skills:

• Strong interest in laboratory animal research.
• AALAS LAT certification.
• Demonstrated ability to complete routine husbandry and sanitation assignments.

Skills/Abilities:

• Be observant, display tact, consideration, professionalism, and maturity
• Excellent oral/written communication and organizational skills
• Ability to work effectively individually or as part of a team
• Maintain logs
• Prepare reports
• Handle laboratory animals
• Monitor and/or document environmental parameters
• Meets deadline and sanitation standards.

Additional Information:

• To protect the health of patients and staff and to comply with new State of California mandates, City of Hope staff are required to show proof of full vaccination by September 30, 2021. Compliance is a condition of employment.

City of Hope is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability. #LI_GD

• Posting Date: Sep 20, 2021
• Job Field: Support Services
• Employee Status: Regular
• Shift: Day Job