Job Description
The Animal Care QA (Quality Assurance) Specialist (ACQAS) demonstrates mastery of all applicable regulations, laws, policies, and guidelines that govern humane care and use of laboratory animals, as well as knowledge of and skills related to common surgical and non-surgical procedures conducted in research animals. The ACQAS provides a high level of professional support to the Attending Veterinarian (AV), the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (CSMC) research staff, in meeting CSMC's responsibilities associated with the program for the humane care and use of animals in research and education including the Post Approval Monitoring Program (PAM).
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Creates educational materials and conducts hands-on training sessions that focus on animal welfare and compliance with regulatory standards.
Provides comprehensive training in both lecture and practical formats. Training will include topics such as animal handling, anesthesia, euthanasia, and surgical and non-surgical procedures. Verify staff proficiency to comply with approved IACUC protocols, effectively and humanely conduct research involving animals, and maintain accurate and complete records.
Develops quality monitoring plans and SOPs and maintains quality standards in animal-related activities based on current best-practices.
Conducts scheduled and un-scheduled visits to monitor compliance with IACUC protocols, writes reports for the AV and the IACUC, and follows-up on deficiencies and other items as determined by the AV and/or the IACUC. Maintains an updated database for these activities
Composes clear, concise, and detailed correspondence to the AV, IACUC, and investigators to ensure that the concerns, and questions are quickly and intelligently communicated; maintains accurate updates in the PAM database
Attends IACUC meetings and provides technical reports on training and PAM matters
In collaboration with the IACUC Analyst team, responsible for establishing meetings with laboratories to coordinate training related to IACUC protocol submission and modifications, as well as activities associated with handling and conducting procedures in animals.
Participates in departmental/institutional quality improvement activities. Identifies operational needs and recommendations for improvement. Conducts special projects as assigned by the Executive Director.
Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Humanities or science related field required
MS, or PhD in Science Related Field preferred
Experience
5 years of experience in animal care training, coordination, compliance, or other related functions within an animal care setting required.
Licenses and Certifications
Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) – Upon hire
(AALS) certification as a Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) – Upon hire
Req ID : 12306
Working Title : Animal Care QA Specialist - Comparative Medicine
Department : Comparative Medicine
Business Entity : Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Job Category : Academic / Research
Job Specialty : Animal Care
Overtime Status : EXEMPT
Primary Shift : Day
Shift Duration : 8 hour
Base Pay : $86,153 - $146,452
Our compensation philosophy
We offer competitive total compensation that includes pay, benefits, and other recognition programs for our employees. The base pay range shown above takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including knowledge/skills; relevant experience and training; education/certifications/licensure; and other business and organizational factors. This base pay range does not include our comprehensive benefits package and any incentive payments that may be applicable to this role. Pay Transparency Non Discrimination Provision (PDF) (opens in new window)
Diversity and Inclusion at Cedars-Sinai
We are caretakers and innovators committed to the pursuit of equitable healthcare. But health equity is not possible without representation. Our commitment to diversity goes beyond demographics or checking boxes. Our people must reflect the diverse identities, experiences and geographies of the communities and patients we serve – because that’s what our patients, colleagues and communities deserve. Quality Care and Research—For All, By All (opens in new window).
Cedars-Sinai is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Cedars-Sinai does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of the race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, physical or mental disability, legally protected medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics or any genetic information), marital status, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age (40 or older), military and/or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal or state law. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at Applicant_Accommodation@cshs.org and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.
Cedars-Sinai will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, in accordance with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.
At Cedars-Sinai, we are dedicated to the safety, health and wellbeing of our patients and employees. This includes protecting our patients from communicable diseases, such as influenza (flu) and COVID-19. For this reason, we require that all new employees receive a flu vaccine based on the seasonal availability of flu vaccine (typically during September through April each year) as a condition of employment, and annually thereafter as a condition of continued employment, subject to medical exemption or religious accommodation. For the same reason, you may also be required to receive other vaccines such as COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Cedars-Sinai reserves the right to make modifications to its required list of vaccines as required by law and/or policy. Cedars-Sinai’s AA Policy Statement (PDF) (opens in new window)