Animal Care Technician I

About the role

SHIFT: Day (United States of America)

Seeking Breakthrough Makers

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) offers countless ways to change lives. Our diverse community of more than 20,000 Breakthrough Makers will inspire you to pursue passions, develop expertise, and drive innovation.

At CHOP, your experience is valued; your voice is heard; and your contributions make a difference for patients and families. Join us as we build on our promise to advance pediatric care-and your career.

CHOP does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, or any other legally protected categories in any employment, training, or vendor decisions or programs. CHOP recognizes the critical importance of a workforce rich in varied backgrounds and experiences and engages in ongoing efforts to achieve that through equally varied and non-discriminatory means.

A Brief Overview

This role is responsible for providing a variety of animal husbandry/care services in support of CHOP's mission.

What you will do

• 1) Performs daily front line animal health checks and reports animal health concerns to veterinary staff and/or DVR management.
• 2) Assist with the restraint, handling and manipulation of various animal species as directed by DVR management (i.e., euthanasia, sexing/weaning, and minor treatment administration).
• 3) Provide clean animal caging and enclosures to research animals, providing and ensuring access to feed, water and enrichment devices according to SOPs, and/or specific approved protocols and the schedules established by veterinary staff and/or DVR Management.
• 4) Maintains cleanliness and sanitizes animal holding rooms, procedure spaces, and ancillary areas of the vivarium. Tracks environmental parameters and reports deviations and observations to DVR Management (i.e., vivarium temperature and humidity readings, lighting, air pressure differentials).
• 5) Performs minor equipment maintenance that is pertinent to maintain daily operations. Report any needed repairs to DVR Management (i.e., physically damaged or broken/missing equipment items, damage to vivarium room surfaces, system failures).
• 6) Assists with animal receipt and transport activities, including proper operation of animal management software.
• 7) May be assigned to perform cage wash duties (i.e., processing caging and accessory equipment appropriately, including putting bedding into cages and autoclaving cages and supplies) as per DVR Management request. Must be able to safely and effectively operate cage wash equipment.
• 8) Properly document daily activities as per SOPs, policies, and DVR Management instruction.
• 9) Understand and follow appropriate SOPs, policies, safety procedures, and quality assurance guidelines. Complete all trainings as required.
• 10) Must possess good communication skills and present a professional demeanor and attitude at all times. Must be flexible in schedule depending on assignment and be adaptable to change.
• 11) Performs all other duties as assigned.

Education Qualifications

• High School Diploma / GED Required

Experience Qualifications

• At least six (6) months of animal husbandry/care experience Required
• Previous animal husbandry/care experience in a clinical practice, laboratory animal, agricultural or zoo animal setting Preferred
• Previous cage wash operation experience Preferred

Skills and Abilities

• Solid verbal and written communications skills
• Solid time management skills
• Solid organizational skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to change (i.e., assignments, schedules)

Licenses and Certifications

• Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) - American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) - upon hire - Preferred or
• Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) - American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) - upon hire - Preferred or
• Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) - American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) - upon hire - Preferred

Additional information

To carry out its mission, CHOP is committed to supporting the health of our patients, families, workforce, and global community. As a condition of employment, CHOP employees who work in patient care buildings or who have patient facing responsibilities must receive an annual influenza vaccine.

Salary Range

$25.25 - $28.41 Hourly

Salary ranges are shown for full-time jobs. If you're working part-time, your pay will be adjusted accordingly.

At CHOP, we are committed to fair and transparent pay practices. Factors such as skills and experience could result in an offer above the salary range noted in this job posting. Click here for more information regarding CHOP's Compensation and Benefits.