What are the responsibilities and job description for the Laboratory Animal Care Specialist position at Charles River Laboratories?
**Our Mission**
At Charles River Laboratories, we are passionate about improving the quality of people's lives. Our mission guides us in all that we do, and we approach each day with the knowledge that our work helps to improve the health and well-being of many across the globe.
About the Role
We are seeking a skilled Necropsy Technician IV to join our team at Charles River Laboratories. As a key member of our Safety Assessment department, you will be responsible for ensuring the humane care and handling of laboratory animals, performing necropsies, and collecting tissues for histopathological examination.
About the Job
This role is ideal for individuals with a strong background in laboratory animal science and experience in tissue handling and microscopical techniques. You will work independently on internal studies and collaborate with colleagues on external projects, requiring excellent communication and teamwork skills.
Responsibilities
- Ensure good welfare and humane care for all animals worked with through gentle, positive human-animal interactions.
- Perform basic skills of the department, including handling tissues and organs, trimming tissues, embedding, measuring organ weights; microtomy, slide preparation, staining; inventory and quality control, and shipping of tissues.
- Collect, document, review, and verify data on forms or in electronic data capture systems.
- Review documentation of functions performed as part of quality control requirements.
- Use and maintain instrumentation and equipment.
- Learnto know anatomic terms.
- Receive, track, and prepare samples or materials required for department activities.
Requirements
- Education: High school diploma or General Education Degree (G.E.D.) required. Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) or equivalent in a biological science, preferred.
- Experience: 2 years of relevant experience. Competency in large animal euthanasia and necropsy (i.e., dog and non-human primate) required.
- Certification/Licensure: None, unless required by local government.
- Skill plan completed for this role based on department training plan.
- Demonstrated ability to consistently and effectively produce high-quality results, interpret protocol requirements, troubleshoot quality issues, and record accurate study and departmental data.
- Ability to communicate verbally and in writing at all levels inside and outside the organization.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities to achieve goals.
- Computer skills, commensurate with essential functions, including the ability to learn a validated system.
- Ability to ensure a safe working environment by observing all safety procedures and working methods.
