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ANIMAL RESEARCH
FACILITY MANAGER
An animal research facility manager is responsible for the day-to-day
supervision and overall management of laboratory-animal care personnel
and the animal facility. Some of the manager’s functions include
procurement of animals for research and teaching purposes, supervision
of animal laboratory technicians and other part-time personnel, control
of animal holding facilities and helping to obtain proper veterinary
care for the animals. In addition, managers are responsible for ensuring
conditions vital to the well-being of animals continuously are met
in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act as implemented through
the Department of Agriculture regulations and, for federally funded
research, the U.S. Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and
Use of Laboratory Animals.
More specific job duties can include the
following: implementing and evaluating new procedures; monitoring
experiments to ensure research study protocols are being followed
and notifying proper personnel if deviations are noted; participating
in Institutional Animal Care Use Committee (IACUC) meetings; and
coordinating facility inspections.
Animal research facility managers
ensure, by performing and/or delegating necessary functions, that
animals are provided feed, water, bedding and clean cages, according
to their individual care requirements. Managers also ensure that
proper environmental conditions (temperatures, light levels and ventilation)
are met at all times. They track and record relevant data. Managers
ensure that animals are healthy by observing animals daily for signs
of illness or disease, testing for parasites and coordinating necessary
care with veterinarian(s).
Managers also might coordinate the ordering
and receiving of animals, ensuring that the animals arrive in time
for classroom or research use, that appropriate housing is available
and that all procurement specifications are met. They inventory shipments,
check health status and input data in the record system.
On a day-to-day
basis, animal research facility managers oversee operation and maintenance
of the facility’s surgical suite,
making sure that sterile supplies are stocked and that housekeeping
and sanitation practices consistently are performed. They ensure
the chemical room, instrument room and support spaces are cleaned,
stocked with supplies and able to be used effectively. Managers maintain
all required facility records, including daily inspection logs, health
records, protocols, censuses and facility records, in computer databases
and paper files.
The facility manager also is responsible for breeding
animals for use in teaching and research projects. Managers communicate
regularly with both faculty and student research personnel regarding
the condition of the animals and on any issues related to their care.
They assist faculty and students in conducting animal research projects,
including presurgical and postsurgical care, injections, drug administration
and more.
Education/Training
Most often, a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline is
required for being an animal research facility manager. A minimum
of three years of animal facility experience or the equivalent combination
of education and experience typically is required. Sometimes, the
hiring facility requires a minimum of five years of animal facility
experience and membership in the American Association of Laboratory
Animal Science (AALAS).
Certification
Some research institutions require the manager to be certified as
a laboratory animal technologist, which can be done through the
American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine, an organization
of board-certified veterinary medical specialists who are experts
in the humane, proper and safe care and use of laboratory animals.
ACLAM establishes standards of education, training, experience
and expertise necessary to become qualified as a technologist and
recognizes that achievement through board certification.
Salary
Supervisor Range: $41,000 to $60,000 per year
Manager Range: $61,000 to $89,000 per year
Director Range: $139,000 to $180,000 per year
These figures are based
on the 2002
AALAS Laboratory Animal Facility Compensation Survey and have been adjusted for inflation. Salaries vary
depending upon the job, education and training, level of experience
and geographical area of the country.
Related Links
http://www.aalas.org
The American Association for Laboratory Animal Science is a large
organization representing veterinarians, scientists, animal technicians,
educators and the allied trade groups associated with laboratory
animal medicine. AALAS improves the care and use of laboratory animals
through education and information exchange.
http://www.aclam.org
The American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine tests and certifies
qualified veterinarians in this specialty of laboratory animal
medicine. Since its inception, more than 400 veterinarians have
become board-certified by ACLAM.
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