Research Support Assistant

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Job Summary

The Research Support Assistant is responsible for the cleaning of animal cages, cage components, and ancillary equipment. Maintains cleanliness and organization of the cage wash area. Processes animal use equipment in compliance with standard operating procedures, AAALAC, NIH, and USDA standards. Practices effective written and verbal communication with peers and management to facilitate the smooth operation of the sanitation and sterilizing functions.

This is an Essential Reporting position. An employee designated as Essential Reporting has essential job skills that are needed for response and recovery and is expected to report to campus as soon as possible.

Essential Job Duties

• Processes soiled animal caging and ancillary equipment for cleaning and prepares sanitized/sterilized cages and components for reuse using cage wash equipment and applying basic knowledge of cleaning products, equipment, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Must have thorough working knowledge of rack washer, tunnel washer, autoclave, pH meter, bottle washer, bottle filler, floor scrubber, and other equipment as directed.
• Maintains and understands clean/soiled equipment and traffic separation according to established SOPs.
• Completes all sanitation and sterilization requirements, including all documentation within acceptable and established time frames.
• Completes all work assignments in a safe manner using all necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Prioritizes workload and plans work days to accommodate ACF animal technician cage and equipment change-out schedules.
• Uses appropriate temperature and other environmental detection and verification devices to ascertain proper efficiency and cleaning capabilities of equipment.
• Works mainly under direct supervision.
• Prepares clean caging equipment for use.
• Maintains cage washing areas and other assigned work areas (central hallways, storage rooms, etc.) in an organized and sanitary manner.
• Maintains inventory of chemicals and accessories for all applicable equipment.
• Alerts supervisory personnel in a timely manner of impending shortages and reorder amounts.
• Assists in unloading, storage, and stocking supplies, including lab coats.
• Troubleshoots potential equipment failures and notifies supervisory personnel of potential equipment malfunctions within an acceptable timeframe.
• Assists in minor repairs and/or alerts supervisory personnel of equipment malfunction at the time of observation.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

Basic Qualifications

• Must be able to successfully pass the required pre-employment medical clearance. Upon hire, must be willing and able to participate in an Occupational Health program that requires vaccinations (e.g., MMR) along with routine TB testing and other testing and vaccinations, as required by and at the discretion of the Institute.
• Ability to stand, walk, lift, carry, push, pull, climb, balance, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, handle, finger, talk, hear, and see.
• Ability to frequently lift/carry objects up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to judge distance and space relationships, to adjust vision to bring objects into focus, and to distinguish and identify different colors.
• Ability to work under environmental conditions such as extreme heat, wet, humid, and likely exposure to animal dander, diseases, odors and bites, housekeeping/cleaning agents/chemicals, and exposure to hot surfaces.

Preferred Qualifications

• Six months of appropriate experience or training.
• Demonstrated effective organizational, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to perform duties in accordance with department policies/procedures such as bottle filler, floor scrubber, rack and/or tunnel washer.
• Computer and machine skills such as Autoclave and pH meter.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter (optional)