Animal technician jobs

Working as an animal technician gives you the opportunity to provide daily care for animals while also making significant contributions to the advancement of scientific and medical research.

You will have the opportunity to work with animals on a daily basis as an animal technician and will be responsible for their care within the context of scientific and medical research laboratories. You will be responsible for ensuring that the greatest levels of care and welfare are reached for the animals in your care, since the United Kingdom has stringent welfare legislation in place to safeguard animals that are used in scientific and medical research.

You will be working in a capacity that is critical to the success of high-quality scientific research in a variety of domains, such as the creation of novel therapies and the investigation of various diagnostic approaches. When you reach a higher level, you may be given the opportunity to actively participate in experimental activity and provide assistance to researchers in the process of task design for research projects.

It is possible for the working environment to change based on the kind of research that are being performed as well as the animal species that you are responsible for.

Responsibilities

In order to be a successful animal technician, you will need to:

ensuring a high degree of animal welfare and actively working to enhance the quality of life for lab animals should be a priority.

Maintain a clean and pleasant environment for the animals by regularly cleaning their enclosures, pens, trays, equipment, and fittings.

Provide animals with food and water.

securely handle and relocate the animals.

administer drugs

Examine the surrounding area (for example, temperature and humidity)

Maintain a close eye on the health of the animals, as well as identify and address any behavioral issues.

gather samples and measurements

data collection and recording

Gain an understanding of the Animal (Scientific Procedure) Act of 1986, which controls the use of animals in scientific research and outlines the conditions that must be met.

Depending on the company you work for and the amount of experience you have, you may also:

Drawing on your knowledge of the physiological, behavioral, and ecological needs of each species, you will need to plan research, establish the settings, and establish the protocols that will supply scientists with the information that they require.

try to anticipate and understand how the animals would react.

You would assist in the breeding of animals for use in research, monitoring pregnancies, providing care for newborn animals, and measuring the animals' weight increase and overall progress.

play an important part in the process of choosing animals for investigations, as well as in the execution of and the development of strategies for dosing, evaluation, and sampling.

You won't be able to complete all of these responsibilities until you advance to a job with higher responsibility, such as animal technologist.

Salary

The starting salary for trainee animal technologists is up to 17,000 pounds. It's possible that this may cost somewhat more inside London.

The range of £19,000 to £28,000 in annual pay is typical for qualified technicians who have at least two years of relevant work experience.

It is reasonable to anticipate a salary in the range of $25,000 to $35,000 when taking on a more senior position such as senior animal technologist or team leader.

Between £35,000 and £55,000 is a salary range that may be expected for facility managers or other professionals with high degrees of responsibility.

Statistical information on income provided by the Institute of Animal Technology (IAT). The numbers are simply meant to serve as a guide.

Time spent working

As a technician, you can expect to put in an average of 37 hours of work per week. Due to the fact that animal care is required around the clock, this often involves working on a rota basis through early mornings, late nights, weekends, and bank holidays. Weekend and holiday labor may qualify for overtime compensation depending on the circumstances.

Work opportunities on a part-time basis are now available for trained and experienced technicians.

What may be anticipated

The majority of the labor is performed inside and may take place in sterile circumstances or situations that are hot and humid. There is some labor done outside with particular types of animals.

The task may be taxing on your body and leave you feeling exhausted; in addition, it requires a high degree of focus and careful attention to detail.

You will be required to wear protective clothes, the specifics of which will be determined by the kind of animal and the nature of the research being conducted. Every day, technicians should at the very least be outfitted with a complete set of sanitized protective clothes.

The use of animals in scientific study is a contentious topic. You need to be ready to cope with unwanted remarks (and occasionally actions) from members of the public or animal rights organizations, despite the fact that there is a significant amount of support available from colleagues.

Opportunities for competent technicians to work in other countries are now available.

Qualifications

To become an animal technician, you don't need to have a degree or a higher-level diploma, since most companies are more interested with whether or not you have a genuine interest in animal care.

There are, on the other hand, certain degrees, such as the following, that could be beneficial for the role:

animal behavior and zoo administration

biology

pharmacology

physiology

toxicology.

Knowledge in immunology and pathology, microbiology, and genetics may be beneficial at a higher level.

You have the option of obtaining a relevant HND in disciplines such as the following, however it is not required:

Concern for the Well-Being of Animals

animal management

animal science.

The Animal Technician Development Program provides another another entry point into the industry. This includes instruction in a more organized format in topics such as animal welfare and ethics, as well as law, animal husbandry, and biosecurity. It lasts for a total of 24 weeks and consists of about two weeks of paid job experience in addition to 12 weeks of paid education. The training program is done in conjunction with several businesses, all of which have the intention of providing employment opportunities to students who have successfully finished the program. For more information, please refer to the Animal Technician Development Programme (ATDP).

You should also think about signing up to be a part of the IAT. You will be able to obtain a discount on courses and materials, keep up to speed with the latest advancements in the business, and have access to the journal if you become a member of the organization. This may be a useful means of maintaining connections and establishing new ones inside the sector.

Skills

You will need to demonstrate that:

a passion for animals and a readiness to look for them when necessary

attention to detail

mathematical and computational prowess on one's part

a significant amount of concentration

a responsible demeanor as well as an awareness of the need of maintaining confidentiality

a satisfactory degree of physical conditioning

a readiness to participate in collaborative efforts

excellent communication skills are required, since it is often essential to confer with a wide range of specialists.

a comprehension of the moral dilemmas that arise from carrying out this activity.

Practice in the workplace

It is very important to demonstrate to a prospective employer that you have a genuine interest in, and dedication to, the care and welfare of animals. It is helpful to have direct experience dealing with animals, whether that experience was gained via paid or volunteer labor.

This may involve working in dog kennels, on farms, or in a veterinary clinic for an extended length of time. Other options include taking care of pets or working with livestock.

It could also be helpful to exhibit your interest in working in a laboratory in order to prove that you are really interested in working in this setting. Acquiring some job experience in a laboratory or other scientific environment, either voluntarily or on a part-time basis, is one way to demonstrate that you are acquainted with lab techniques.

Find out more information on the many types of work experience and internships that are currently offered.

Employers

Work opportunities are available at a variety of academic and commercial establishments, including the following:

pharmaceutical companies

institutions of higher learning in addition to other public or private organizations

specialized facilities for animal reproduction labs

academic medical centers

universities

schools of veterinary medicine and medical studies.

There are prospects for work at research centers throughout the majority of these regions in the United Kingdom; however, there are a greater number of pharmaceutical research centers in London and the South East.

Scotland is home to a burgeoning life sciences sector, which includes everything from university spin-offs to established international corporations. Some firms have locations that are in inaccessible parts of the country; for more information, see to Life Sciences Scotland.

Try looking for employment opportunities at:

IAT members get access to a monthly newsletter that details available career opportunities.

Naturejobs

Jobs Open to New Scientists

Additionally, specialized recruiting organizations like S3 Science are responsible for filling open positions.

Professional development

Your education as an aspiring animal technician will consist of a mix of hands-on, practical experience gained while working with animals and part-time study leading to certifications granted by the IAT. There are many tiers of qualification, which include the following:

IAT Level 2 Diploma in Laboratory Animal Husbandry is an entry-level degree that focuses on the significance of high levels of regular care and the legal responsibilities of animal technologists. This diploma is offered by the Institute of Animal Technology.

The IAT Level 2 Diploma in Laboratory Animal Science and Technology expands on the student's prior knowledge of animal husbandry and provides a comprehensive comprehension of fundamental scientific concepts.

After you have completed them, and after you have been working in this capacity for a number of years, you may consider making the transition into the more experienced position of animal technologist. It is quite probable that you will be required to get the IAT Level 3 Diploma in Laboratory Animal Science and Technology in order to accomplish this goal. You will have new responsibilities in the position, and the certification will help you be ready for those responsibilities.

After this, there are more credentials provided by the IAT that may lead to higher degrees. These qualifications can be found in the following sections. For more details, please refer to the IAT's Learning & Development page.

Obtaining a license under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act of 1986 is something you should consider doing if you want to advance to the more senior level job of animal technologist. You will be able to carry out certain treatments on animals, such as providing injections, and also participate in the experimental aspect of the job as a result of this. One example of these operations is the administration of medication. In addition to finishing a short training course, you will need to demonstrate that you have the necessary amount of work experience.

Continuing professional development, often known as CPD, is an essential component of working in some fields because of the need to remain current with new laws and regulations and to regularly update one's skills and knowledge. The IAT offers seminars, workshops, and courses that contribute to continuing professional development (CPD).

IAT credentials will offer up fantastic growth chances, and you may study for them in your spare time while still maintaining your full-time job. Your qualification will make it possible for you to become a senior technician and, if you have a personal license, to perform treatments on animals. You can also be responsible for monitoring apprentice technicians, holding a line management position, and ensuring that quality requirements are fulfilled.

Following this, you may advance to the position of facility manager or specialist, in which you will be fully responsible for the operation of the facility, including ensuring that it satisfies all legislative and health and safety requirements, as well as having control over the facility's budget and the number of employees working there. There is also the possibility of developing a specialty, for instance in fields such as breeding or genetically altered animals.

In order to be eligible for entrance into the Register of Animal Technologists, you need to possess either the IAT Membership or the Fellowship Diploma, in addition to having five years of experience that is relevant to the field (including two years after qualification).

According to the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act of 1986, technicians who have professional knowledge of animal technology and sufficient experience in the field are eligible to be nominated for the position of Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer (NACWO).