I assumed an animal technician fed them and cleaned cages, etc but higher levels require college degree and much more responsibility...
Yale University Job Description
Animal Technician V Grade E
Representative Duties:
Provide administrative leadership of a unit or function, including overseeing and coordinating projects or work processes, and distributing and monitoring the work of at least 2 regular FTEs as a lead worker.
Act as expert resource to investigators and staff in one or more areas of animal technology. For example:
Develop, implement, coordinate, oversee and/or maintain complex departmental projects such as rederivation and cryopreservation; BL 3 operations.
Working with managers coordinate complex experimental procedures for investigators which involve specialized techniques such as surgical procedures.
Observe and evaluate animals for signs of illness and stress and deviations in animal conditions. Feed, house and handle animals in accordance with institutional, local and Federal regulations.
Provide research and technical support to investigators. Conduct or oversee procedures such as blood collection, injections and/or routine surgical procedures. Prepare reports and provide updates to investigators regarding the status of animals.
Using protocols established by PI or manager, manage and maintain breeding colonies for research. Establish and carry out strategic breeding plans according to specific protocols or instructions.
Maintain detailed records regarding animal colonies such as births, deaths, weaning, and breeding and other records required by institutional, local and federal regulations.
Train and/or instruct staff on sanitation, animal handling, restraint and care techniques, appropriate to level.
Maintain a working liaison with other appropriate departments/units across campus.
Perform additional related tasks as necessary.
Family: Research-Support
Date: 10/08
Required Knowledge:
Advanced knowledge, college-degree; substantial knowledge in a specialized field; substantial knowledge in a broader field of learning.
Limited acquaintance with business, accounting, or commercial procedures.
Working knowledge of University organizational policies and procedures generally; detailed knowledge of one or several narrow areas of University rules and procedures.
Required Skills:
Extracts and compiles a broad range of data from a variety of written sources, personal contacts and/or databases selected independently; interpretation/limited analysis of data.
Routine use of a major library catalogue or reference database.
Files already labeled material using a straightforward alphabetical, numerical or chronological system.
Summarizes, revises or makes limited use of complex, technical or specialized literature.
Write simple internal memoranda, fills out complex forms.
Regular, skilled use of more complex machines, including word processors or personal computers; responsible for basic troubleshooting and repair or manipulation of data using published software.
Performs complex experiments from start to finish.
Experiments include multiple procedures performed in combination and/or sequence.
Office and Administrative Skills:
Keyboards forms, labels, and other simple material.
Merges, edits and manipulates data on a personal computer to generate complex reports.
Arranges for and coordinates schedules, appointments, projects, conferences, and major events.
Advises, screens and refers callers and visitors.
Experience, Education and Formal Training:
Two years of related work experience in the same job family and a Bachelor degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
Complexity and Organization:
Wide variety of complicated job tasks requiring coordinating numerous processes/methods.
Coordinating and organizing other peoples work is a primary responsibility of my job.
Interpersonal Relations:
Ongoing involvement outside immediate work unit.
Offers or obtains specialized information and provides assistance on complex matters.
Trains, instructs, or teaches others in academic, research, or other professional matters.
Supervisory Guidelines:
Work may or may not be reviewed.
Incumbent plans and schedules own work and/or the work of others based on an understanding of broadly defined objectives and priorities; supervisor reviews work after its completion.
Instruction provided only in rare instances.
Independent Judgment:
Established procedures/policies govern many work situations.
Regular exercise of independent judgment or initiative.
Problems usually not solved by following established procedures.
Leadership Responsibility:
Often provides work guidance, instruction or orientation of others.
Distributing and monitoring work is a primary responsibility of my job.
Impact and Consequence of Error:
Work has some effect both outside the work unit and outside the University.
Errors are difficult to recognize and correct and can cause considerable harm or financial loss to individuals, departments, and the University, or to other individuals and groups.
Working Conditions:
Ongoing possibility of safety risks.
Regular conflicting demands, deadlines, emergencies, or time pressures.
Regular sustained concentration.
Some physical effort or dexterity.
Certification:
AALAS Laboratory Animal Technologist Certification preferred.
My posts were quoted, and I was talking only about the turnover of workers in the animal labs. I never even mentioned any apartment complexes! My post was saying that these WORKERS may only be an animal tech for one or two semesters and then move on to other jobs. An animal tech is definitely not a health professional, while some at the supervisory level would be considered to be a professional, most entry level animal techs are basically cage cleaners!