POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Cage Wash Technician is a member of the Animal Resource Center (ARC) cage wash operations/ animal husbandry team. The cage wash technician is responsible for washing animal cages and other materials, and cleaning and filling water bottles in compliance with ARC's standard operating procedures. This position also performs cage washer repair and preventative maintenance. This position will work with animals. ARC staff members are responsible for maintaining the health and well-being of Case Western Reserve University's research animals; and therefore, play a vital role in supporting the Case School of Medicine's research efforts. Cage Wash Technicians and all other ARC staff must enjoy working with and caring for animals and appreciate the value of animals in research.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Clean side of cage wash: Perform quality control of autoclaves using temperature indicator strips and spore vials. Review cage orders and obtain the necessary supplies to complete the order in the requested time. Load and remove cages and bottles from the autoclaves. Ensure cages, bottles and equipment meet quality standards for cleanliness. (23%)
2. Dirty side of cage wash: Collect and empty cages and return dumpsters to receiving area; collect water bottles and refuse and return to appropriate locations. Ensure animals and equipment are removed from cages prior to emptying and cleaning cages. Load dirty cages and bottles into the cage washer and equipment into the tunnel washer. Remove clean cages, bottles and equipment from cage/tunnel washer and return to the appropriate locations. Perform daily cleaning and testing of tunnel and cage washer. (23%)
3. Water bottle processing: Fill water bottles; ensure that filled bottles meet quality standards. Check bottle holes, caps and sipper tubes for appropriate flow; return bottle baskets to appropriate locations. (15%)
4. Postmortem room maintenance and euthanasia. Observe all animals in postmortem and make sure all cages have feed and water. Euthanize rodent cages using CO2. Thoroughly clean table, floors and counters. (12%)
5. Food preparation. Set up the hood using Micro-isolator technique, transfer the food pellets from the standard food bags into sterile container. Label the container with prepared food labels. (10%)

6. Animal husbandry: Feed and water animals, change cage bedding, change animals from dirty to clean cages and disinfect animal quarters. Observe animals during this process, note and report anything unusual that may indicate problems with the animals such as health related problems, housing/caging, overcrowded conditions and food or water problems. (9%)

    

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Perform other related duties as may be assigned by operations manager, animal husbandry manager operations manager and/or team leaders. (3%)
2. Perform routine housekeeping duties to maintain work area. (3%)

3. Use a handheld or stationary tablet device to perform animal health observations, animal inventory and daily checklist in a data software application. (2%)

    

CONTACTS

Department: Daily contact with supervisor, co-workers, and other ARC staff to keep cage wash and animal husbandry operations functioning.

University: Regular contact with university staff working with the ARC to help address cage wash related issues.

External: Regular contact with outside vendors/contractors to coordinate supply deliveries and facility repairs.

Students: Frequent contact with graduate and research students who are performing medical research in the Animal Resource Center. Will assist with cage wash and husbandry needs.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

None.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 0 to 3 months of experience in a laboratory animal facility. The employee will receive regular on-the-job training