Animal Care Technician I - Comparative Medicine Job Ref # 39424 -Location: Houston Methodist Hospital 6565 Fannin St Houston, TX Category:Laboratory Services Job Type:Full-Time Work Shift:DAY Work Week:M - F Job Summary JOB SUMMARY Under the direction of the CMP Operations Manager, the Animal Care Technician I is responsible for delivering exceptional animal care to the research animals at HMRI. This includes performing daily animal care and husbandry of laboratory animals in a research environment. The Animal Care Technician I is also is responsible for performing animal technical procedures and providing animal study support with supervision. PATIENT AGE GROUP SERVED Not applicable HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS I. Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values: INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do. COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs. ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions. RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value. EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate. II. Focuses on patient/customer safety III. Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards IV. Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words) V. Intentionally rounds with patients/customers to ensure their needs are being met VI. Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES PEOPLE 20 % 1. Establishes working relationships and communicates effectively with HMRI research staff and CMP veterinary staff. SERVICE 30 % 1. Provides daily animal husbandry and care for a variety of laboratory animal species in accordance with CMP SOP¿s. 2. Provides fresh feed and water, performs cage changes and animal/procedure sanitation procedures, recognizes normal environmental room parameters (temperature, humidity, light levels, air flow, etc.) Reports abnormal conditions to the Vivarium Manager. 3. Recognizes normal clinical appearance and behavior of animals and reports any concerns to the Veterinary staff. 4. Performs sanitization of caging and equipment using tunnel and rack washers, bulk autoclaves, and other manual equipment as needed to complete daily responsibilities. 5. Performs technical procedures with Veterinary staff supervision, including but not limited to health monitoring and weaning. 6. Participates in holiday and weekend duty rotation of animal care and husbandry. QUALITY/SAFETY 20 % 1. Ensures that animal room records are maintained in conformance with institutional policies and regulatory agency directives. 2. Works with Comparative Medicine animal care staff to ensure the facility is prepared for inspections and meets safety standards. 3. Follows all safety rules while on the job. Reports accidents promptly and corrects minor safety hazards. Communicates with peers and management regarding any hazards identified in the workplace. FINANCE 10 % 1. Performs tasks in a timely fashion to meet department turn-around-times. 2. Identifies cost saving initiatives within the department and communicates recommendations. GROWTH/INNOVATION 20% 1. Demonstrates adaptability and flexibility in the face of changing demands. 2. Generates and communicates new ideas and suggestions that improve quality or service. 3. Learn, review, suggest improvements, refine, and formalize a variety of animal care procedures and facility support practices (e.g., Standard Operating Procedures). This job description is not intended to be all inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS High School Diploma or GED. EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS 1-2 years of animal handling experience. >1 year of laboratory animal research preferred. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification preferred. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security. Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles. Basic computer skills Desire to learn new skills and work with animals Ability to work well with others Reliability Punctuality PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Activity Checklist attached (see below) WORKING ENVIRONMENT Lab environment Equal Employment Opportunity Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal employment opportunityis a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor priority referral Protected Veterans requested. Company Profile Since its founding in 1919, Houston Methodist Hospital has earned worldwide recognition. Houston Methodist Hospital is affiliated with the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the nation's leading centers for medical education and research. Houston Methodist is consistently ranked inU.S. News & World ReportsBest Hospital list and was recently named the number one hospital in Texas. FORTUNE magazine has placed Houston Methodist on its annual list of 100 Best Companies To Work For since 2006. Houston Methodist Hospital directs millions of research dollars into patient care and offers the latest innovations in medical, surgical and diagnostic techniques. With 1,119 licensed beds, 67 operating rooms and over 6,000 employees, Houston Methodist offers complete care for patients from around the world.