Scheduled Hours

40

Position Summary

Assists the Cage Wash Supervisor with the coordination of daily cage wash operations, including the operation and maintenance of mechanical cage washers and bulk autoclaves in accordance with departmental SOPs to sanitize/sterilize animal caging-related equipment. The Lead Cage Wash Tech must be able to perform all duties and functions of a cage wash technician. This position is the more experienced cage wash technician level in cage wash and is assigned lead responsibilities to coordinate daily activities, staff assignments, workflow priorities, and performs routine equipment preventative maintenance. Must understand and be proficient at working with all cage wash and dock area equipment. Actively interacts with various DCM and external stakeholders to triage questions, fill stakeholder requests and provide technical assistance.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Coordinates daily activities, staff assignments, workflow priorities, and equipment maintenance to ensure smooth operations. Monitor and document cage wash equipment parameters such as Dart tests, temperature strips and Attest vials, and reports deviations to cage wash supervisor and manager.

• Conducts cage wash operations and in the absence of the supervisor, reassign task assignments as required. Perform daily QA/QC equipment checks for every shift. Receives and maintains adequate inventory levels of cleaning materials, PPE supplies and, food and bedding materials.

• Conducts daily, weekly and other periodic maintenance of cage wash equipment including conducting and logging quality assurance test. Observe and support good health and safety practices regarding the use of chemicals and equipment.

• Assists with the receipt, stocking and maintenance of supply inventories including, personal protective supplies, chemicals, gases, feed and bedding and animal shipments as well as all other inventory. Ensure that all materials are properly decontaminated prior to entering the barrier facility.

• Conducts general cleaning and housekeeping of cage wash and service areas, including washing walls, floors, equipment, air vents, sinks, doors, door frames and feed containers.

• Performs additional duties as required by supervisor/manager/department.

Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions

• Participation in the Occupational Health and Safety Program including appropriate vaccinations and other PPE are required

• Requires extensive safety training

• Stockroom or warehouse

• Alternative work schedules

• Exposure to chemicals

• High noise environment

• Requires protective devices

• Dust, dirt, grease or other disagreeable elements

• Exposure to moving machinery

• Exposure to animals

Physical Effort

• Able to lift 42 lbs

• Pass a pre-employment physical exam

• Typically standing or walking

• Typically bending, crouching, stooping

• Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement (PC typing)

• Occasional lifting (25 - 50 lbs.)

Equipment.

• Lab/research equipment

• Simple hand tools

• Heavy equipment (buffers, mowers, forklift, etc.)

• Other: Rack washers, tunnel washers, steam autoclaves, water bottle filler stations, pallet jack, etc.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

High school diploma or equivalent high school certification or combination of education and/or experience.

Certifications:

Animal Care Learning Program - Purina Institute, Animal Care Learning Program within 6 months - Purina Institute, Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) - American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS), Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) - within 2 years - American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)

Work Experience:

Cage Wash Facility (1 Year)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

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Washington University seeks highly motivated individua