Cage Wash Technician

Department: Ctr for Comparative Medicine
Salary/Grade: NEX/7

Job Summary:

Completes primarily cage wash activities; & limited amount (no more than 10% of overall job duties & responsibilities) of simple, routine animal caretaking duties as part of training program; & other duties as requested by Group Leader or their designee. All actions are completed by strictly & consistently following applicable CCM SOPs including safety procedures & guidelines. Reports any suspected or actual deviations to SOPs or non-routine situations immediately to Group Leader or their designee. Arrives, leaves & takes breaks at work as scheduled. Strictly adheres to CCM attendance policy.

Please note:

Must be able to negotiate up to a 65 lb force (push pull) on an occasional basis. Lifting is limited to 50 lbs occasionally and 25 lbs frequently. Must be able to work staggered shift schedule, overtime, weekends, and holidays as required.

Must successfully maintain physical condition that will assure efficient performance of tasks, including successful completion of physical examination. This position requires the individual to be available to work on both the Chicago and Evanston campuses as coverage needs dictate.

Must be enrolled in the university's occupational health program which entails filling out a health questionnaire. The health questionnaire is submitted to the university's occupational health provider for review. Must be willing to undergo job related background check.

Position will require working with, near or around noise, moving mechanical parts, hazardous chemicals and biohazard waste. Regular exposure to laboratory animal caging and airborne particles, wet humid and hot cold conditions should be expected. Hearing protection and Personal Protective Equipment requirements must be followed.

Specific Responsibilities:

According to CCM SOPs:

• Cleans & sterilizes cages, equipment, supplies, rooms (primary and secondary enclosures), etc.
• Prepares refuse for disposal or incineration.
• Maintains efficient organization & flow of supplies & equipment through cage wash area.
• Monitors & maintains washers & sterilizers in proper working condition.
• Delivers clean and/or dirty equipment and cages to and from cage wash as required.
• May complete daily and periodic housekeeping of other areas as assigned, i.e., bathrooms, locker rooms and surgery space within CCM..
• Restocks and maintains appropriate inventory levels of housekeeping and bathroom supplies.
• Removes dirty scrubs from receptacles and ensures adequate supply of clean scrubs.
• Monitors first aid kits, eye wash stations and functioning emergency exit on cage wash equipment.

Animal Care: Obtains training in animal caretaking duties according to CCM SOPs such as:

• Feeding & watering animals according to their prescribed diets.
• Observing animals regularly during the day, noting & reporting any variances in eating, drinking or deviation from normal habits, to include obvious health issues with behavior, skin conditions, etc.
• Observing & reporting changes in environmental parameters (i.e., temperature, humidity, lighting, etc.).
• Assisting in maintaining records of animals such as: weight, inoculation, experimentation, breeding, etc.

Incoming Animals: Obtains training in animal caretaking duties according to CCM SOPs such as:

• Transferring animals between buildings, cages, laboratories & holding areas.
• May drive van to transfer animals.
• Completes these duties on a very limited basis - no more than 10% of overall job duties & responsibilities.

Administration:

• Completes cage wash activities check-lists, logs & documentation accurately & within appropriate time-frames.
• Documents & reports equipment malfunctions to management.
• Maintains proper record keeping of washer & sterilizer quality assurance testing.
• Completes room daily activity sheets and other documentation accurately and within appropriate timeframes..
• Maintains appropriate inventory levels of housekeeping supplies

Training:

• Attends CCM sponsored training sessions, species specific identification & treatment sessions. Obtains training regarding cage wash, animal care taking and housekeeping duties as appropriate.

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Valid state driver's license if driving animal transport van.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $17.25 to $17.75 per hour. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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