At Houston Methodist, the Animal Technician Cage Washer position is responsible for performing routine duties related to the operation of the tunnel and rack washers, bulk autoclaves, bedding dump station, bedding dispenser, Hydropac machine and water bottle filler located in the Comparative Medicine Department's animal vivariums. This position also regularly participates in daily operational support outside of the cage wash area including unpacking and preparation of PPE and feed, general repairs on housing equipment and maintenance of vivarium ancillary areas.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Works closely with CMP Animal Care Supervisors to ensure cage wash and autoclave machinery is in working order.

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team focused work unit that consistently helps one other through active communication.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Operates tunnel washer, rack washer, bulk autoclaves, automatic water bottle filler, Hydropak machine, bedding dump station and bedding dispenser; also uses pressure washer and floor scrubber.

• Assists with implementation and education of departmental based safety initiatives and standards of practice.

• Communicates the level of priority for various equipment needing to be processed in the cage wash area based on clean equipment availability and cage changing schedules.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Sanitizes and/or sterilizes animal cages, racks, and related equipment by proper operation and handling of large machinery and chemicals.

• Cleans and maintains ancillary areas such as hallways, cage wash areas, etc.

• Ensures the CMP facility remains prepared for routine Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care and United States Department of Agriculture inspections and meets occupational health and safety standards.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Practices cost control through the proper use and storage of supplies and equipment.

• Uses resources efficiently and appropriately. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Generates and communicates new ideas and suggestions that improve quality and service for a variety of facility support practices.

• Embraces opportunities to acquire additional knowledge regarding guidelines and regulations that affect CMP's animal research facility.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

WORK EXPERIENCE

• None

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional No
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Houston Methodist Research Institute was formed in 2004 to rapidly and efficiently translate discoveries made in the laboratory and the clinic into new diagnostics, therapies, and treatments. The research institute was created to provide the infrastructure and support for these endeavors, and to house the technology and resources needed to make innovative breakthroughs in important areas of human disease. A 540,000 square foot building dedicated to research, the research institute houses over 1,500 staff and trainees, 284 principal investigators and has more than 570 ongoing clinical trials.