QA Technician

Title: QA Technician

Location: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

Status: Full-Time

Position Summary:

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is one of 27 institutes and centers of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). NIEHS's broad focus on the environmental causes of disease makes the institute a unique part of the NIH. NIEHS is home to the National Toxicology Program (NTP), the nation's premier program for testing and evaluation of agents in our environment. The focus of the NIEHS research is to discover how the environment affects people to promote healthier lives.

The Animal Husbandry Support Contract for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences provides care, maintenance, and technical services for laboratory animals, seven (7) days per week, including weekends and holidays, for 72,447 square feet of laboratory animal facility space (which includes ancillary support areas outside of the main facility, including a separate facility located approximately one mile from the main facility). The contractor is responsible for the care and maintenance of the animals, the sanitation of equipment, technical training, and the general maintenance of the facilities in such a manner as to maintain the highest level of Accreditation from the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, International (AAALAC, Intl.) The services provided by this contract are considered mission critical.

The ideal candidate will have great communication skills and works well with a team, is adaptable, acts in a positive, professional, and helpful manner, and demonstrates a strong work ethic. This position is pending contract award.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Perform necropsies, including sentinel animals, and record all abnormal finding to QAL head or Veterinary Staff. Collect tissues and process for histopathologic evaluation, if deemed necessary.
• Collect microbiological samples (swabs of walls and floors, IVC exhaust samples, fecal samples, perianal tape (pinworm slides), oropharyngeal/nasal swabs and blood samples as required by Quality Assurance Laboratory). This may require use of anesthetics as outlined in the relevant SOP. Place specimens in proper storage (refrigerator, freezer or fixative).
• Monitor the microbial status of the animal's supplies, environment, and equipment to determine the effectiveness of sterilizing and sanitizing procedures.
• Perform all animal husbandry duties in C129 unit (see husbandry technician duties) as well as isolators.
• Manage sentinel program and maintain all sentinel breeding, specimen collection and placement records.
• Process samples for microbiological evaluation, PCR, serology, etc.
• Copy and distribute QA reports.
• Organize and maintain laboratory, maintaining adequate levels of reagents, buffers, glassware, and other supplies.
• Perform data entry of QA cases and assist with maintaining QA records.
• Prepare samples for mailing to outside laboratories.
• Assist in preparing QAL minutes for animal health meetings.
• Perform procedures for safe handling and disposal of carcinogens and other hazardous materials.
• Store slides and tissue specimens.
• Dispose of laboratory wastes and carcasses.
• Perform record keeping on all tasks.
• Perform clinical/research work as deemed necessary by the Head of QAL.
• Perform routine laboratory analysis and microbiological tests on samples as requested.
• Fill out QA request form for submitting specimens to QAL.

Minimum Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED
• AALAS certification at the ALAT level preferred and/or demonstrated equivalent experience in the custodial care of animals.
• May be working with biological, chemical, and radiation hazards after proper training.
• Ability to work in and around water and be able to possess the physical strength, dexterity, and endurance to lift, pull, push, carry, handle cages, racks, large pieces of equipment, feed and bedding bags and other materials and equipment normally found in a research facility.
• Some knowledge of disinfectant use and operating knowledge of autoclaves, cage washers, conveyor belts, bedding dispensers, bottle fillers and high pressure and steam cleaning devices.
• Ability to use critical thinking skills, decisive judgement, and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action when needed.
• Flexibility in scheduling and ability to work nights, weekends, holidays and/or on-call.
• Must be able to obtain/maintain site access and pass a background check.

Work Environment:

Employees are subject to adverse variables of environmental conditions, both inside and outside. Work areas are often hot, humid, and noisy due to operation of cage washing machines and autoclaves. Employees are potentially exposed to minor injuries such as cuts, bites, scrapes, pulled muscles, burns and unpleasant odors, and the possibility of exposure to hazardous materials including radioisotopes. Employees are exposed to animals and animal urine, feces, and dander that can act as allergens or as potential sources of zoonotic disease.

Animal care personnel are required to wear a contractor supplied, washable cotton/polyester two-piece uniform of scrub pants and a long sleeve, snap-front shirt (a one piece cotton coverall may be substituted), safety shoes, disposable shoe cover, head cover, surgical mask), and gloves when working in the animal rooms.

Protective clothing is required to be worn by ALL personnel entering an animal room from the return corridors. The disposable PPE identified above is furnished by the Government. The contractor is responsible for an annual fit test of all personnel required to wear an N95 respirator

Must be professional and able to handle multiple tasks and support multiple projects simultaneously. Contract may have vaccination requirements.

Physical Demands:

Duties require constant lifting (sometimes greater than 50 pounds) and pushing and pulling of carts and dollies. Duties also require continuous walking, standing, sitting, and considerable arm and hand movements.

Apply online at our website: https://kikiktagruk.applicantpool.com/

Disclaimer:

This is not to be an exclusive list of all responsibilities', duties, and skills required of the person in this job. KIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIC considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, physical or mental disability, family responsibility, marital status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran's status or any other legal protected status. Pursuant to The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 43 U.S.C. Sec. 1601 et seq., and federal contractual requirements, Kikiktagruk Inupiat Corporation, may legally grant certain preference in employment opportunities to KIC Shareholders and their Descendants. EOE/AA/M/F/D/V. Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here . Successful candidate must pass, comply and adhere to KIC's Drug and Alcohol policy/testing requirements and pass a thorough background check including fingerprinting.