Animal technologist
An animal technologist (also known as an animal technician) is responsible for the care and welfare of laboratory animals used in medical, veterinary and dental research. Some technologists are also directly involved in experimental work.
According to Home Office figures, 3.5 million animals (over three-quarters of which are rodents) were used in scientific procedures in Britain in 2009. The different requirements of each species and each set of experiments means the working environment varies considerably.
The use of animals in scientific procedures is regulated by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, which recognises the necessity for research involving animals but demands a high level of animal welfare protection.
Animal technologists are in daily contact with animals, and much of the work involves routine tasks essential to the care and welfare of the animals.
Tasks typically involve:
Technologists may be involved in designing studies and setting the conditions and protocols that will provide scientists with the information required. They need to understand the physical, behavioural and environmental requirements of individual species and be able to predict and interpret the animals' responses.
Experienced technologists help to breed animals especially for use in research. They monitor pregnancies, care for newborn animals and measure weight gain and growth. Technologists also play a key role in selecting animals for studies as well as carrying out and developing dosing, assessment and sampling techniques. Some understanding of the science supporting individual studies is required in such cases.
Research with animals in the UK takes place under strict legal controls and technologists are responsible for ensuring all legislation is adhered to. According to Lantra: The Sector Skills Council for the Environmental and Land-based Sector , the introduction of the European Directive 86/609/EEC from 2013 to 2017 will probably have an impact on the training and skills needed in animal technology and may demand greater investment in facilities and equipment.
Although graduates and diplomates may compete for vacancies, this is not a traditional graduate career and entry does not require a degree or HND.
Although this area of work is open to all graduates, the following degree subjects may improve your chances:
At a higher level, knowledge of immunology and pathology, microbiology and genetics may be required.
Although this area of work is open to all diplomates, an HND in the following subjects may increase your chances:
It is vital to convince a potential employer of your genuine interest in, and commitment to, animal care and welfare. Direct experience (either paid or voluntary) of working with animals is useful. This can include caring for pets or working in dog kennels, on farms or in a veterinary practice for a sustained period of time.
Candidates also need to show evidence of the following:
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Training involves a combination of practical experience and part-time study for qualifications awarded by the Institute of Animal Technology (IAT) .
There are four levels of qualification:
Exemptions from modules, or from parts of modules, are possible through previous educational achievements or accreditation of prior learning. Other employers may grant day-release, allowing staff to study for the IAT qualifications at local colleges. Study is also possible via distance learning. Most employers provide financial assistance for fees and travel.
The IAT is currently developing further qualifications for animal technologists, including an IAT Foundation Degree, a BSc in Animal Technology and postgraduate qualifications. Check the IAT website for more information.
Career progression is based both on progress through levels of qualification and also by continuously learning new skills. Great attention is paid to practical on-the-job training, provided by experienced colleagues.
Understanding and implementing the legal controls on animal research is essential to the job and is taught at all levels of qualification.
Animal research is regulated by the Home Office and enforced through a three-level licensing system: the animal house itself must be licensed under a Certificate of Designation; the programme of work must have a project licence; and each person who carries out regulated procedures (such as giving injections) must hold a personal licence.
Technologists normally obtain their Home Office personal licence after gaining practical experience of routine work. Once they have obtained their licence (which involves secondment to a short training course), they can engage with the experimental side of animal research in addition to their role in caring for animals.
Graduates and diplomates are likely to start out by undertaking routine tasks, such as feeding and watering the animals and cleaning out cages. Practical experience is considered to be of prime importance and a degree or HND does not automatically confer higher status in this type of work. Those who are prepared to start at a basic level and study part time for the Institute of Animal Technology (IAT) qualifications have good opportunities to progress. Once you have gained a Home Office personal licence you are able to do more specialist/technical work such as administering drugs or taking samples.
Career development commonly involves taking responsibility for supervising a team of staff. It may also be possible to specialise in areas such as breeding, genetically altered animals, management, training, facility design and specific research areas including safety testing, immunology and pathology.
The IAT maintains a register of animal technologists who agree to abide by an ethical code of conduct. Entry to the register is restricted to technologists who hold the IAT membership or fellowship qualifications and have at least five years' relevant experience (two of which must be post-qualification). Members of the register may use the letters RAnTech after their name.
Technologists with expert knowledge and suitable experience of animal technology may be nominated as a Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer (NACWO) under The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. NACWOs are actively involved in safeguarding the welfare of animals used in designated establishments and advise project and personal licence holders how to fulfil their responsibilities. It is the IAT’s policy that all NACWOs should be RAnTechs. All newly appointed NACWOs are required to undergo an introductory training programme.
Animal technologists work in a wide range of academic and commercial institutions including:
There are approximately 230 laboratories in the UK that are permitted to undertake animal research. There are opportunities for employment in research centres in most large cities within the UK but there is a higher concentration of pharmaceutical research centres in London and the South East. The life sciences industry is growing in Scotland and ranges from university start-ups to multinational companies. Some employers are located in remote, isolated areas. There are also opportunities for qualified technologists to work abroad.
Specialist recruitment agencies, such as S3 Science and Agenda Resource Management , also handle vacancies. Search the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) consultancy finder for a list of relevant member agencies.
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