Post by Morocco Rock Fox on Aug 7, 2006 19:30:41 GMT -5
Job description
An animal laboratory technician is responsible for the care and welfare of animals used in biomedical research. Some laboratory technicians are involved in experimental work, but this is less common.
Over 2.79 million animals are used in scientific procedures in Britain each year. The different requirements of each species and each set of experiments leads to a wide variety of working environments.
The use of animals in scientific procedures is regulated by the Animals Act 1986, which recognises the necessity of animal use in research but demands a high level of protection for their welfare.
Typical work activities
Much of the work involves routine tasks, which are essential for the care and welfare of animals.
These tasks include:
administering medicines;
feeding and watering animals;
checking the environment (for example, temperature and humidity);
monitoring the condition of animals and then recognising and resolving any behavioural problems;
obtaining samples and measurements;
collecting and recording data;
ensuring animals are kept clean and comfortable;
cleaning cages, pens, trays, equipment and fittings;
handling and moving animals safely.
Technicians may be involved in designing studies and setting the conditions and protocols that will provide scientists with the information required. To do this, they need to understand the physical, behavioural and environmental needs of individual species, and be able to predict and interpret the animals' responses.
Animal laboratory technicians also play a key role in breeding animals, selecting animals for studies and carrying out and developing dosing, assessment and sampling techniques. Some understanding of the science supporting individual studies is required in this instance.
Research with animals in the UK takes place under strict legal controls and technicians are responsible for ensuring all legislation is adhered to. Senior technicians with at least five years' relevant experience may be appointed as named animal care and welfare officers under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and undertake statutory duties directed towards minimising suffering and optimising the welfare of animals being bred, kept for use or used for scientific procedures.
An animal laboratory technician is responsible for the care and welfare of animals used in biomedical research. Some laboratory technicians are involved in experimental work, but this is less common.
Over 2.79 million animals are used in scientific procedures in Britain each year. The different requirements of each species and each set of experiments leads to a wide variety of working environments.
The use of animals in scientific procedures is regulated by the Animals Act 1986, which recognises the necessity of animal use in research but demands a high level of protection for their welfare.
Typical work activities
Much of the work involves routine tasks, which are essential for the care and welfare of animals.
These tasks include:
administering medicines;
feeding and watering animals;
checking the environment (for example, temperature and humidity);
monitoring the condition of animals and then recognising and resolving any behavioural problems;
obtaining samples and measurements;
collecting and recording data;
ensuring animals are kept clean and comfortable;
cleaning cages, pens, trays, equipment and fittings;
handling and moving animals safely.
Technicians may be involved in designing studies and setting the conditions and protocols that will provide scientists with the information required. To do this, they need to understand the physical, behavioural and environmental needs of individual species, and be able to predict and interpret the animals' responses.
Animal laboratory technicians also play a key role in breeding animals, selecting animals for studies and carrying out and developing dosing, assessment and sampling techniques. Some understanding of the science supporting individual studies is required in this instance.
Research with animals in the UK takes place under strict legal controls and technicians are responsible for ensuring all legislation is adhered to. Senior technicians with at least five years' relevant experience may be appointed as named animal care and welfare officers under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and undertake statutory duties directed towards minimising suffering and optimising the welfare of animals being bred, kept for use or used for scientific procedures.