ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIAN

Should the successful applicant be a Unifor Unit 1 bargaining unit member, who meets the eligibility conditions of Article 19.02 of the Unifor Unit 1 Collective Agreement, then the Limited Term Assignment will be defined as a Career Growth Opportunity in accordance with Article 19 of the Unifor Local 5555 Unit 1 Collective Agreement.

Animal Care Technician

JD#: JD0048

The Faculty of Health Sciences' Central Animal Facilities (CAF) is welcoming applications for a limited-term full-time, Animal Care Technician to join our team!  This is an excellent opportunity for an organized, motivated, and detail-oriented individual to join us in an important support role for the Facility and research at McMaster University. 

Located within the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Animal Facility is a primary service division whose purpose is to serve the McMaster research community and ensure animals housed at our seven sites are cared for ethically and humanely.

About McMaster

At McMaster University, we strive to attract, develop, and retain talented faculty and staff, and to foster inclusive excellence which values the strengths, perspectives, and contributions of everyone. McMaster is one of the Top 70 Universities in the World and is recognized as Canada’s Most Research-Intensive University.  McMaster continues to be recognized as one of the top employers in the Hamilton/Niagara region and one of Canada’s Top Diversity employers.

Our Faculty and Culture of Excellence

The Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS), the largest Faculty within McMaster, is unique as the only Canadian university that combines schools of medicine (including two regional campuses), nursing, rehabilitation science, and the programs of midwifery, Bachelor of Health Sciences, physician assistant and postgraduate health sciences education within one faculty.  Our pioneering approaches to education and our reputation for world-class research have consistently placed McMaster and the Faculty among the top 50 universities in the world for health and medicine. 

Those who join FHS will find a community of 5,400 talented individuals who are inspired by the faculty’s commitment to our values of interprofessional collaboration, commitment to our communities, accountability, innovation, excellence, integrity, respect, and optimism. 

The Opportunity

Job Summary:

Responsible for providing support to the University research community as it relates to the use of animals in biomedical research and teaching. Performs routine technical procedures and animal husbandry and ensures procedures are followed according to standard operating procedures, guidelines, and legislation.

Purpose and Key Functions:

• Perform routine technical procedures ensuring strict adherence to established standard operating procedures, guidelines, and legislation.
• Participate in required safety and security procedures and conduct animal husbandry and care while following established standard operating procedures and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Provide technical assistance to researchers including surgical assistance, preparation, and post-surgical monitoring.
• Wrap instruments for sterilization prior to surgery.
• Perform minor surgeries and technical procedures including sampling, bleeding, injection and all procedures involving the use of anaesthetics and related equipment.
• Participate in health monitoring, which includes health assessments, quality assurance, treatment and post approval monitoring, of all animals under the direction of the veterinary staff.
• Monitor technical procedures, performed by others using the facilities, for deviations from established standard operating procedures.
• Monitor endpoints and report issues to veterinary staff.
• Provide department policy and procedure information to others.
• Provide animal care and husbandry for all species including specialty animals in the facility.
• Develop and modify standard operating procedures.
• Complete cage cards with the appropriate animal information.
• Document and maintain breeding records for inspection and census information.
• Document treatment logs detailing the historical and current treatment regimes for animals.
• Document initial observations from gross pathology and provide reports to veterinary staff.
• Calculate blood volume, drug dosage, and intravenous fluid rates.
• Review weight charts to ensure that the animals are within the required limits for the study.
• Use a variety of facility equipment such as microscopes and centrifuges.
• Calibrate scales used to weigh animals.
• Analyze and troubleshoot equipment failures and complete the required repair.
• Maintain breeding colonies which includes breeding, feeding, weaning, and keeping records of activities, under the oversight of the veterinary staff.
• Observe the health condition and behaviour of animals and report injuries, disease, or abnormal behaviour to supervisor or designated person.
• May be required to make recommendations regarding the euthanization of animals in accordance with standard operating procedures.
• Assemble animal cages, and prepare shipping crates as required.
• Set up and collate materials for teaching including course packages, materials, and equipment.
• Attend and participate in department meetings.
• Exchange technical and scientific information with others.
• Maintain the confidentiality of ongoing research and development.
• May be required to assist in the wash area which includes, but is not limited to, cleaning equipment such as, rack washers, bottle washers, and autoclaves.

Requirements:

• 2 year Community College diploma in Veterinary Technology or related field.
• Requires 2 years of relevant experience.

Assets:

• Experience in animal handling, especially rodents
• Experience calculating drug dosages

What We Offer
In addition to joining a Top Ranked University, McMaster offers a very competitive Total Compensation Package that includes, but is not limited to:

• Employer Paid benefits such as Extended Health, Dental, Emergency Out-of-Country Travel Coverage, Life Insurance.
• Participation in a Pension Plan.
• Progressive paid annual vacation plan.
• Training, coaching, and professional development opportunities.
• Employee tuition assistance for continuous development and education.
• Opportunity to be a part of an academic environment working alongside professionals who share a passion for learning.