Operations Support Technician (Animal Health)
Job Type : Temporary, Full Time
Salary : £14.09 – £23.50/annum
Our global pharmaceutical client based in Graveley, St Neots is recruiting an Operations Support Technician to join their busy team. The role is a 6 month temporary assignment with a possible extension offering an hourly rate of £14.09 – £23.50 per hour, depending on experience. Our client would consider both part or full time (core hours 8am – 12pm (P/T) or 8am – 4pm (F/T) Candidates must be flexible to work 5 days out of 7 to include weekend working (weekend work may cease approx. end of November).
The need is for a minimum of 4 hours per day (Apply online only)) including weekends wherever possible). There is scope to extend the hours of work subject to workload and candidate availability. Extension of hours and continuation of work beyond December is likely to occur at an alternative site in Milton Keynes, also in Operational Support, on tasks such as preparing packaging then ‘picking and packing’ for product dispatch.
This role is for ‘Operational Support’ in a facility working with bovine calves to produce starter material for a cattle vaccine. The role may require some interaction with the calves and will involve handling and processing their faeces, in which the parasite of interest resides, and which must be recovered to manufacture the vaccine.
The process is largely manual involving physical input such as loading ‘plates’ with faeces and inserting them onto wheeled racks, then manoeuvring the racks into and out of incubation. The role requires good attention to detail and housekeeping e.g. tidying and cleaning of work equipment and areas at the end of a session, plus completion of basic paper records.
Workwear including ‘personal protective equipment’ (PPE) will be provided together with training on how to complete tasks according to ‘standard operating procedure’ (SOP).
Duties include:
* Production duties including handling (harvesting & incubation) of calf faeces plus recovery of larvae therefrom.
* Maintenance of high housekeeping standards including cleaning, tidying and completion of basic paper records.
* Potential for interaction with the calves e.g. collecting faeces, turning out and in for exercise/socialisation plus performance of animal husbandry duties like provision of feed, bedding, water and general checks on wellbeing, reporting of concerns etc.
* To assist production staff at Milton Keynes with ‘picking & packing’ type operations as required.
* In compliance with departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) and Company study requirements provides direct animal care and indirect support of the animal colony.
* Manages the receipt, storage and distribution of critical research suppliers.
* Conducts animal inventories and ensures that animal identification cards reflect current data.
* Manages the program for animal grooming and conducts technician level physical exams on animals within the vivarium and housed off-site.
* Provides for the environmental enrichment of the animals.
* Validates the proper functioning of equipment. Position will receive direction and support.
Experience, Knowledge and Skills:
* Minimal one year experience working with animals required
* Must possess strong communication and multi-tasking skills
* Ability to work in a team oriented environment; Valid driver's license required.
* AALAS certification preferred or ability to take the test within 12 months
* Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. preferred.
* A combination of equivalent experience and education with be considered
* Willingness to be involved in mostly physical work (including weekends) is required.
* Experience in an environment following SOPs (or similar) and completion of paper records is desired.
* Ability to get to primary site (Graveley) and between primary and secondary sites (Graveley and Milton Keynes) for prompt start times is required.
* Experience and/or confidence to work with calves/livestock is desired, but not essential.
Qualifications & Education
* No formal qualifications required but ability to read and follow instructions plus write entries into paper records is required
More Information
- Address Graveley, Cambridgeshire
