Animal Caretaker (Non-Containment) at Goldbelt in Fort Washington, MD

Overview

Goldbelt Apex, a part of the Healthcare Technology Transformation Group, is a data-focused company dedicated to process and quality in every aspect. As experts in healthcare IT experts, Apex is committed to building systems for healthcare organizations to seamlessly communicate and exchange data across different systems and devices.

Summary:

The Animal Caretaker shall serve as an Animal Caretaker providing animal husbandry support in Quarantine, Barrier, and ABSL-2 animal care and use areas. The Animal Caretaker shall independently select and apply appropriate procedures for the supported tasks. The Animal Caretaker shall assist in providing non-routine care, supporting changes in procedure, addressing problems, etc.

Work requires continuous standing and walking on concrete or hard surfaced floors, climbing, working in a bent position, and carrying materials up to 50 pounds. Greater strength, effort and agility are required in the handling, capturing, and restraining of the stronger, more active animals. Work, as performed, exposes incumbent to unpleasant odors and noises, and may require contact with unpredictable, ill-natured, stronger animals which pose greater risks of injury, bites, scratches, etc. There is a hazard of burns from autoclaves and ultra-violet lights and skin irritations from cleaning and decontaminating solutions. The incumbent must wear protective clothing or equipment (PPE) such as positive air pressure respirators or other personal protective equipment, for prolonged periods. Incumbent may work prolonged periods in auditory and physical isolation in a completely isolated containment suite which possesses risks to infection by highly infectious agents. Some of these agents can cause fatal diseases in humans if personnel become infected.

*Containment involves adhering to specific procedures and requirements designed tomanage and protect sensitive information and materials in this role.

Responsibilities

Essential Job Functions:

• Shall assist or independently perform all Glassware/Cagewash Support (Non-containment) Tasks.
• Provide animal care and husbandry to the animals during experimental and non-experimental periods and/or protocol. This includes, but is not limited to, cleaning/sanitizing the micro- and macro environment; transferring animals between cages/restraint devices/jump boxes; providing environmental enrichment; housing animals in appropriate size and types of cages; monitoring animals and reporting/documenting abnormal conditions or treatment failures; and ensuring food/water are available IAW SOPs or protocol.
• Shall receive, exam, verify (i.e., determine sex), move to designated room and house of all incoming laboratory animals IAW SOPs and/or protocol.
• Conduct daily cage counts and weekly head counts to the Contract PM IAWSOPs.
• Ensure all animals are properly identified and associated with specific experiments IAW SOPs.
• Shall transport animals within the facility or to/from other facilities IAW SOPs.
• Shall ensure proper room designations and entry procedures and update room entry order IAW SOPs.
• Shall operate animal husbandry equipment and document operations IAWSOPs.
• Shall store animal husbandry equipment and supplies IAW SOPs.
• Shall observe and document temperature, humidity and light levels within animal care and use areas IAW SOPs and report excursions to the Contract PM immediately.

Qualifications

Necessary Skills and Knowledge:

• Apply practical knowledge and technical expertise to resolve problems independently and in cooperation with other personnel.
• Shall work in Microsoft Word, SharePoint, MS Teams, Excel, Outlook and other software systems as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be able to lift to 50 lbs.
• Employee shall serve as an Animal Caretaker providing animal husbandry support in Quarantine, Barrier, and ABSL-2 animal care and use area.
• US Citizenship Required.
• Variable work hours, to include 24/7 coverage, evenings/nights, weekends, Government holidays, and during unforeseen closures or circumstances shall apply, as requested to meet mission requirements.
• Must be able to successfully obtain and maintain a favorably adjudicated Secret security clearance eligibility, with no access to classified. *NACLC/ANACI is acceptable if completed within 5 years prior to enrollment.
• Ability to successfully pass a drug test.

Preferred Qualifications:

• ALAT certification or higher, as defined by AALAS, is highly recommended prior to or within 18 months of hire.
• At least one (1) year of animal husbandry experience in support of NHPs in a research setting is highly desirable.
• Experience with rodents, swine, rabbits, and ferrets in a research setting is highly desirable.
• GLP experience is desirable.

Pay and Benefits

The pay for this position is $25 per hour.

At Goldbelt, we value and reward our team's dedication and hard work. We provide a competitive base salary commensurate with your qualifications and experience. As an employee, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with company matching, tax-deferred savings options, supplementary benefits, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.