Animal Technician

Animal technicians look after the animals used in medical or scientific research. They may also take part in experimental work.

The Work

You might:

• feed and exercise animals daily, clean out cages and control the lighting and heating in the laboratories
• carry out regular health checks on the animals, such as taking weight and measurements, and make sure they eat, drink and behave as normal


• work with rats, mice, guinea pigs or rabbits, but sometimes with other animals (83% of laboratory animals are rats and mice)


• order and store supplies, calibrate (check the accuracy of), clean, sterilise and repair scientific apparatus and operate it as required


• do routine parts of experiments, perhaps give injections and anaesthetics, take blood or tissue samples, help at operations and stitch wounds


• analyse blood, faeces (waste matter) or urine


• record how animals reacted to experiments


• ease the animal’s pain or distress and sometimes destroy them humanely and prepare them for dissection


• help with scientific and medical research and keep accurate records.

Conditions

• You normally work shifts covering evenings, weekends and public holidays, as animals must be cared for seven days a week.


• Work is mostly indoors, in a laboratory, often under artificial lights and it can be smelly and messy.


• You have to wear a lab coat and protective gloves and sometimes a face mask.


• You may have to lift heavy animal cages.


• You are at risk of bites, injuries and infection and you must have inoculations against various diseases.

• procedures on animals are tightly regulated by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 under the Home Office


• people who are against vivisection (experimental surgery on live animals) may be hostile to you.

Getting In

• You can enter at various levels.


• You can apply direct from school with at least 3 Standard grades (normally including English, Maths and a science subject) or Highers including a science subject.


• You could take a National Qualification (NQ) in working with animals. For entry you might need up to 4 Standard grades, depending on the college.


• You could take a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND) in animal care. For entry you need 1-2 Highers.


• It is helpful to have experience of working with animals, either as pets or through dog-walking or kennel work.


• You need IT skills to keep records.


• You should be fit, active and in good health as you will be on your feet a lot.


• You should not be allergic to fur, feathers or chemicals.

What Does It Take?

You should be:

• practical and methodical


• confident when handling animals, which may be distressed or in pain


• concerned for the animal’s welfare and not emotional


• aware of the controversy over research on live animals and assertive enough to deal with any hostile reaction


• good with your hands, for example to give injections


• able to concentrate


• observant


• accurate, with an eye for detail.

Training

• Training is normally on the job and traditionally involved working towards Institute of Animal Technology (IAT) qualifications. The IAT has created three new qualifications: the First Certificate in Animal Husbandry (level 2), the First Diploma in Animal Technology (level 2) and the National Certificate in Animal Technology (level 3). The IAT is developing a National Diploma to give recognition for specialist skills, as well as developing a graduate programme at BSc and PhD level. The IAT website has details of the new qualifications structure.


• Learning about the strict laws relating to animal welfare and vivisection will be an important part of your training.


• There are Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) in Animal Care at Levels 2 and 3. These are recognised by the IAT. Previous experience of working with animals is useful.

Getting On

• You must pass the Membership Diploma of the IAT before you can apply to become a registered animal technician (R.An.Tech), which allows you to take part in experiments. You must also have at least 5 years' relevant experience.


• When you have this qualification you may be able to become a supervisor or manager.


• You could also specialise, for instance in breeding animals, genetic modification or research in perhaps pathology or immunology.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary depending on:

• where you work


• the size of the company or organisation you work for


• the demand for the job.

More Information

Around 3 million laboratory animals are used each year in the UK. Many of these animals are used for breeding, but about two thirds are used for medical research.

Cosmetic and tobacco products are not tested on laboratory animals in the UK. (Home Office figures from 2007 - http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk)

Addresses

The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.