Animal technologist
Health and science
Level 3 -
Working with laboratory animals.
Reference: OCC0058
Status:
SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 6129/99 Animal care services occupations n.e.c.
- 2112/07 Zoological scientists
- 6129/06 Animal welfare workers
Technical Education Products
Employers involved in creating the standard:
Applebee Advisory, Mary Lyon Centre, UKRI MRC Harwell, The Francis Crick Institute, Venture Forward, Labcorp, Babraham Institute, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cancer Research UK, IAT Education, Imperial College London, Kings College London, Sanger Institute, S3 Life Sciences
Summary
This occupation is found in a range of organisations, typically including charities, universities, pharmaceutical companies, breeders, contract research organisations and biotechnology research and development organisations. The nature of the work and species that are used will depend on the organisation, some work in very specific fields using only a few species others, whereas the universities, may be multispecies with a wide range of techniques and research fields. Animal technologists are likely to be laboratory based.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to carry out complex scientific procedures on laboratory animals. This occupation requires a high degree of technical skill and knowledge to ensure that techniques are carried out with a high degree of accuracy and precision, helping to ensure high standards of scientific research and that the welfare of the animals is considered at all times. Animal technologists are required to work with a range of scientific equipment in complex environments. They require a broad knowledge of science, animal anatomy and physiology, technical in-vivo scientific procedures, including aseptic techniques, animal welfare legislation and animal husbandry in order to practice effectively. They also require high levels of manual dexterity.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a range of internal and external stakeholders. They are required to communicate effectively with their team and the wider research community (including researchers, Home Office Inspectors, named Veterinary Surgeons and named Animal Care and Welfare Officers).
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for carrying out scientific procedures and tasks independently and in compliance with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 Amendment Regulations 2012 (and other related animal welfare legislation, including the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006). They are required to plan, manage and carry out their own work on time and to the required quality, in accordance with work instructions. An Animal Technologist is likely to operate within a team and report to a supervisor/ line manager.
Employers involved in creating the standard:
Applebee Advisory, Mary Lyon Centre, UKRI MRC Harwell, The Francis Crick Institute, Venture Forward, Labcorp, Babraham Institute, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cancer Research UK, IAT Education, Imperial College London, Kings College London, Sanger Institute, S3 Life Sciences
Typical job titles include:
Keywords:
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
Duties
Duty D1
Carry out and record scientific procedures and tasks in accordance with organisational and regulatory standards.
Duty D2
Maintain stocks of resources, equipment and consumables in a Home Office designated establishment and transport physical resources within the work area.
Duty D3
Keep the work environment fit for purpose, including maintenance of hygiene standards.
Duty D4
Maintain equipment in good working order and calibrated where needed.
Duty D5
Manage animal health & husbandry practices in line with the relevant legislation and organisational policies, taking account of specialist animal requirements where relevant.
Duty D6
Maintain animal welfare and biosecurity by applying knowledge of anatomy and physiology.
Duty D7
Support scientific and husbandry procedures by applying the knowledge of science.
Duty D8
Handle and restrain animals in accordance with company and regulatory requirements.
Duty D9
Manage relevant scientific/technical activities within the Home Office designated establishment as assigned by their role and in line with company and regulatory procedures.
Duty D10
Undertake regular continuous professional development to maintain current knowledge of practice.
Duty D11
Participate in business continuous improvement activities. Identify and suggest relevant improvements.
Duty D12
Maintain and analyse data and information (e.g. environmental monitoring, animal weights).
Duty D13
Promote best practice and ethical behaviour within the company, in line with regulatory health, safety, environmental and security policies. Report breaches in line with company expectations where necessary.
Duty D14
Maintain and adhere to bio-security measures and hygiene controls in a Home Office-designated establishment.
Duty D15
Communicate information and issues both internally and externally. Maintain productive relationships and promote good customer interactions.
Occupational Progression
This occupational progression map shows technical occupations that have transferable knowledge and skills.
In this map, the focused occupation is highlighted in yellow. The arrows indicate where transferable knowledge and skills exist between two occupations. This map shows some of the strongest progression links between the focused occupation and other occupations.
It is anticipated that individuals would be required to undertake further learning or training to progress to and from occupations. To find out more about an occupation featured in the progression map, including the learning options available, click the occupation.
Progression decisions have been reached by comparing the knowledge and skills statements between occupational standards, combined with individualised learner movement data.
Technical Occupations
Levels 2-3
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Levels 4-5
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