Animal Health Technician - The McConnell Group, Inc

The McConnell Group (TMG) is a health science company that provides a comprehensive selection of professional and technical services and product design to enhance the success of companies in a rapidly changing market. We are a fast growing company and always looking for professional individuals to join our diverse and talented team of employees. Currently we have an opening for a full-time Animal Care Technician located on Plum Island in Orient, NY. 

POSITION DUTIES & REQUIREMENTS:

• Provides routine care to research animals to include feed and water.
• Monitors animal room environmental conditions. 
• Observes daily appearances and behaviors of experimental animals (both sick and healthy), records these in VMR, and reports to higher level employee.
• Captures, restrains, holds and positions animals for procedures, examinations, and treatments.
• Dispenses and administers medications (e.g. analgesics, anesthetics and antibiotics) and enters into VMR.
• Collects blood and other tissues, labels them correctly, and delivers expeditiously.
• Assists with animal euthanasia and necropsy following prescribed protocols.
• Dispenses carcasses and body parts following established PIADC safety procedures.
• Cleans, decontaminates, and maintains animal wing spaces and cages in accordance with ARB SOPs.  Operates autoclaves, pressure sprayers and misters.
• Uses appropriate PPE and equipment as described in ARB SOPs to protect self and fellow workers from contamination, infection or injury.
• Enters/exits animal isolation rooms and moves between animal rooms in strict accordance with ARB and Safety SOPs to prevent cross contamination.
• Follows written and oral direction.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & SKILLS:

• AA or BS degree in animal science or related science preferred.
• Background knowledge of working with research animals.
• Capable of performing basic animal care duties with guidance.
• Ability to be trained to achieve AALAS ALAT certification.
• Effective verbal and written communication.
• Employee is often required to lift and carry feed materials weighing up to 75 pounds and to handle such items as feed trays weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Work requires continuous standing and walking on concrete and/or a slippery floor due to nature of the work with animals.
• Employee must have strength and agility to restrain strong and very active animals which weight approximately 500 pounds or more.
• Must be able to receive and maintain a Personal Security Level 3 (PSL-3) clearance and participate in the Occupational Health/Safety Programs.

Compensation / Benefits: TMG offers comp. pay and benefits pkg. including health insurance; paid holidays, PTO; EAP; Education Assistance, 401(k) and College Savings Plan.

The McConnell Group is an equal opportunity employer EOE M/F/Disabled/Vet