Job Description

Staff - Union

Job Category CUPE 116

Job Profile CUPE 116 Hourly - Research Assistant /Technician 3

Job Title Auxiliary Animal Care Technician

Department Research Support | Centre for Comparative Medicine | Animal Care Services

Compensation Range $28.42 - $30.99 CAD Hourly

Posting End Date July 13, 2023

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

Full-time during training (6-8 weeks). Casual, on-call ongoing based on seniority, operational needs and availability of employee. Employee must provide a minimum of 1 shift per week availability. Shifts are not guaranteed.

Job Summary

This individual will play a major role in providing for animal health, and welfare, as well as other animal care and use duties in the Centre for Comparative Medicine (CCM). CCM is a rapidly growing and dynamic environment in which staff partner with researchers from both academia and industry. Research conducted at CCM encompasses a broad range of topics from furthering our understanding of basic medical sciences, to enhancing our abilities to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease in human and non-human animals.

CCM Animal Care Technicians are responsible for the daily maintenance and care of specific species of large laboratory animals. The position requires thorough knowledge of working with non-human primates including animals exposed to hazardous and bio-hazardous agents, and radioactive compounds. Due to the work involving the use of potentially hazardous material, the use of personal protective equipment, annual TB testing, and adherence to strict safety protocols is expected.

Work schedule can include weekends and holidays. The individual must be able to lift up to 25 kgs several times throughout the day and work in an environment that requires continuous bending, stooping, twisting and turning.

Orientation and training will be provided on the job.

Equity and Diversity Statement

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

Organizational Status

Reports to Senior Operations Manager. Works closely with the Assistant Supervisor, fellow animal care technicians, registered veterinary technicians and Clinical Veterinarians. Liaises with researchers and their teams.

CCM is a multi-species facility specialized in supporting animal research at UBC through surgical support, training, diagnostic and pathology support as well as housing. It is unique to British Columbia and is the largest facility of its kind in Western Canada.

As part of UBC Animal Care Services (ACS), the largest animal care program in Western Canada and the second largest in Canada, CCM is responsible for providing research support to the animal-based research community associated with the University of British Columbia and its affiliates through its veterinary services team, the compliance team, the procurement team and its facilities. ACS is committed to providing excellence in research support to all UBC researchers with accountability, communication, cooperation, customer service and integrity. ACS reports to the Associate Vice President Research & Innovation.

Work Performed

Provide consistent, high quality and compassionate care to all animals.

Responsible for providing basic husbandry, handling, and restraint for large animal species, including non-human primates*, on a daily basis. Duties include health, behavior and welfare surveillance of laboratory animals; along with continuous awareness of current species-specific welfare issues, such as common signs of illness, pain, trauma or depression, in accordance with Canadian Council of Animal Care guidelines. Other duties include: animal handling, inventory and record keeping; maintaining breeding colonies of various animals (breeding, feeding, weaning, weighing, and keeping records of activities); performing rounds to observe and check the physical health and well-being of laboratory animals; isolating infected or ill animals and reporting to veterinarian, and general housekeeping and maintenance of facility and equipment.

Implement and maintain species specific environmental enrichment programs to promote the psychological well-being of the animals.

Monitor the physical, behavioral and environmental requirements of individual species, including animals who have received radioactive isotopes and the non-human primates. Be aware of natural, normal behaviour as well as behavioural differences (such as aggressiveness and anxiety) and work with the animals to encourage cooperation within a framework of respect, using techniques such as clickers for training.

Evaluate and maintain an extensive inventory of food and supplies necessary for a variety of animal species.

Assist in ensuring the facility complies with all applicable regulations, guidelines, and standards that relate to animal care in accordance with the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC), and The Criminal Code of Canada Section 446 and 447 of the Criminal Code which protects animals from cruelty, abuse and neglect.

Perform minor surgeries and techniques, including blood, tissue and organ collection, as necessary under the supervision of the Senior Operations Manager, Veterinarian or researcher.

Receive and pack live animal shipments.

Package, label, and process biological, biochemical, radioactive and hazardous materials out of the facility.

Follow all safety standards, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and policies.

Assist CCM research staff and users with animal care procedures and techniques.

Recommend revisions to existing policies and procedures to the Assistant Supervisor.

Participate in the delivery of training programs in laboratory animal science to the research community at UBC, as well as lower mainland biotechnology industry partners and ACS staff.

Treat confidentially all information related to research projects, personnel, and locations, and agrees not to disclose any such information to any person except as may be necessary in the proper discharge of work obligations.

Keep abreast of developments in the field of animal husbandry and welfare, participating in continuing education programs and maintains necessary certifications.

Participate as an active member on the CCM Safety Committee.

Perform other related tasks as required.

• Non-human primates are highly susceptible to human diseases, such as influenza, measles and tuberculosis. Personnel working with primates must be TB tested prior to working with non-human primates and re-tested annually. All personnel working with non-human primates must provide proof of annual TB testing and be enrolled in the Medical Surveillance Program.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This person must be willing to pay attention to details, be aware of pitfalls and be willing to repeat tasks if necessary. Most of the procedures will require following a protocol already in place; however, there is room for innovative thinking to improve upon existing protocols and provide input into the direction of the project. These positions are expected to exercise some initiative and judgment in establishing priorities and carrying tasks through to completion; new or unusual problems would be referred to the manager or supervisor. Incorrect decisions could result in deterioration of animal health and/ or disruption or ruination of a research study. Inappropriate judgment exercised by the position may impact the success of the facility, leading to increased expenses, time loss and damage to departmental reputation.

Supervision Received

Takes direction from the Senior Operations Manager and the Assistant Supervisor. Receives instructions during orientation, on subsequent new assignments, on changes in procedures, and on unusual problems or matters which are not covered under established SOP s and policies. Carries out familiar duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Supervision Given

The incumbent may distribute work assignments to employees at lower classification levels and initiate new employees into routines, procedures, and operation of equipment. May instruct co-workers, researchers, and their staff in techniques and procedures; and ensure adherence to established SOP s and policies.

Minimum Qualifications

Completion of a relevant technical program or a university degree in a relevant discipline and a minimum three years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline or Graduation from a technical college or institute. B.Sc degree in an animal related filed and/or A.H.T. diploma preferred. Experience working specifically with large animals in a research capacity. Experience working in a CL2 environment. Working with industry an asset. A sound theoretical and working knowledge of the principles and practice of laboratory animal science;

Proficiency in understanding the physical, behavioural and environmental requirements of individual species. Ability to identify common medical problems in laboratory animals and take appropriate action;

Ability to work effectively independently in a team environment;

Ability to work weekends, evenings and statutory holidays;

Ability to be thorough, accurate, and have a high level of attention to detail;

Ability to perform the physical demands of the job including: working in humid environments with varying temperatures; continuous exposure to animal dander, odours, excreta, dust, and noise, including potentially lethal pathogens, such as those of non-human primates; be able to walk and stand for extended periods, lift, carry, and move up to 25 kg objects over a distance; perform repetitive tasks; good manual dexterity, mobility, auditory, olfactory, and visual skills;

Ability to operate job-related equipment (e.g., rack and tunnel washers, autoclaves, dry heat oven, floor cleaning machine, industrial washers and dryers, bedding vacuum and dispensing system, bottle filling system, and high pressure spray units);

Ability to effectively use software at a moderate level (e.g., Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, Mosaic);

Ability to read and comprehend technical material;

Be willing to maintain and upgrade training;

Ability to train others;

Ability to understand and apply policies, SOPs, instructions and applicable Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) guidelines;

Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines;

Ability to communicate in a clear, attentive, and polite manner, both verbally and in writing;

Ability to listen actively and attentively, and obtain clarification as required;

Ability to deal with a diversity of people in a calm, courteous, and effective manner;

Ability to work toward consensus and resolve differences;

Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships;

Ability to demonstrate a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion;

Ability to effectively resolve complaints and interpersonal conflict in a calm, non-confrontational manner, and by exercising sound judgment; and

Ability to exercise tact and discretion.

University of British Columbia