The central role of animal technicians: quality, communication and care |
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Animal technicians in research
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When the
3Rs Center earlier this year invited animal technicians to a national meeting,
the interest was overwhelming. Meeting the animal technicians gave us a lot of
input for future work, and inspired us to dedicate a focus letter entirely to
the role of the animal technician.
In the work
on this focus letter, we have talked to animal technicians about the crucial
communication between them and other professions to improve the quality and
animal welfare during an animal study. We will also focus on other topics that
are important for animal technicians, including compassion fatigue and
emotional loading. First, you
will meet the new National Committee member Sara Barr from the University of
Gothenburg, who has extensive experience from animal research, for example previous
work experiences as an animal technician. | | | | | BackgroundThe animal
technician has a central role in the field of laboratory animal science. As the
primary caretakers of animals in experiments, they need an extensive knowledge of
animal welfare, health conditions and medical procedures. The animal technician
is often the person in charge or the daily care of the animals, training of
animals and perform technical procedures such as biopsies, blood sampling and
injections. Depending on the work place, the tasks can be very different.
Many people
are drawn to this occupation because they care deeply for both animals and
science. It is crucial that all animals that we use for scientific purposes receive
the best care possible by committed and caring animal staff.
Even though
a lot of aspects resembles those of a veterinary nurse or animal keeper, the
requirements and education to work with laboratory animals are quite different.
Many work places are seeking to hire animal technicians and care takers with
education and background in animal welfare and caretaking, but one also needs
specific training and knowledge about laboratory animals.
In order to
work as an animal technician within the EU, one needs to be educated in LAS
(Laboratory Animal Science) which includes legislation and ethics as well as
theoretical and practical knowledge about specific species. It is common to
attain this education internally at medical universities and medical companies
rather than studying it as part of an academic program.
To maintain
the certification as an animal technician one often needs to collect so called
CPD points (Continuous Professional Development). These points are collected
though various lectures and seminars throughout the year and ensures that the
staff is up to date with new findings and techniques within their field. Animal
technicians also have great opportunities to learn new techniques and further
broaden their area of expertise. The LAS-education offers the basics but the
possibilities are endless when it comes to adding on new skills, making the
profession exciting and versatile. ETPLAS – EU platform for
education and trainingTo push for
a harmonization of education and training within the EU, there is a special
platform for the area - Education & Training Platform for Laboratory Animal
Science, ETPLAS.
Through
funding by the EU parliament, ETPLAS has developed several e-learning modules
available online.
ETPLAS: All courses (learn.etplas.eu) | | | | | | | With the daily care and supervision of the
animals, the animal technicians are the best resource for the animal’s wellbeing, and
provide important support within an animal study.
| | | | | | | Sara Barr: New National Committee member
One of
the members of the Swedish National Committee for the Protection of
Animals used for Scientific Purposes is Sara Barr at the University of
Gothenburg.
Interview with Sara Barr (jordbruksverket.se) | | | | | | Photo: RISE The health and wellbeing of animal techniciansAt the 3Rs
Center, we have noticed that it is becoming more common to talk about the welfare
of the people working with animals in research. The welfare of the workers has
also been linked to the welfare of the animals; humans that feel safe, calm and
happy are likely to pass this forward to the animals through their care. Taking
it further, it seems to have a positive effect on research results as animals
are less affected by stress. Emotional loading, compassion fatigue and culture of care (jordbruksverket.se) | | | | | | | In a recent
article, it was found that up to 95 %
of animal technicians experience compassion fatigue in their work, giving them
the highest number measured to date.
| | | | | | | Tips to prevent the risk of compassion fatigue | There is
ongoing work around the world when it comes to emotional loading, compassion
fatigue and culture of care. An increasing amount of knowledge, tools and other
support is available. We have compiled a list for those who wish to work with
this in their work life or to get some tools for themselves. Employers and
management can use the list to work on their organization’s culture of care and
to prevent the risk of compassion fatigue in their personnel. List of tips to prevent the risk of compassion fatigue (jordbruksverket.se)
| | | | | Mostphotos Oleksandr Lysenko Communication within a research facilityCommunication is crucial not only in publishing a research study, but all the way carrying out a study. When it comes to research that involves animals, the communication between the different professions involved is essential.
Communication between different professions (jordbruksverket.se) | | | | | | Photo: Swedish 3Rs Center National meeting with
animal technicians
In
February, we arranged a national meeting for animal technicians. The aim of the
meeting was to offer an opportunity for animal technicians to meet and to exchange
work experience with branch colleagues, as well as to offer them new knowledge
within the field of animal research and the 3Rs.
Report from the meeting (jordbruksverket.se) | | | | | Network for animal technicians in Sweden | The Swedish 3Rs Center runs a national network for animal technicians. The network aims to make it possible for Swedish animal technicians to
safely share tips and information with each other and with the 3Rs Center.
Today the network consists of more than 80 animal technicians that get
information about 3Rs related events and give feedback on questions from the
3Rs Center.
Are you an
animal technician and wish to connect with other technicians as well as get relevant
3Rs news to your inbox, you are welcome to contact us for more information and
to sign up. | | | | | Webinar series on Culture of care
Together with several other European 3Rs centres, we will
explore the topic of culture of care in a new lunch webinar series. Expert
speakers will talk about culture of care in practice in different research
environments, the issue of compassion fatigue as well as practical advice on
how to measure impact and progress. The series is aimed at animal care staff at all levels, though will be of interest to anyone working day-to-day with research animals. It is a chance to hear from experts from across the field, to pose questions and to be part of wider discussion. The webinars are set on Wednesdays in June (7th, 14th and 21st of June) and they all begin at 13.00 (CET) and will run for just over one hour. Webinar series: Creating the right environment for animal care (nc3rs.org.uk) | | | | | The
European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing (EPAA) has announced
its 2023 Refinement Prize. This prize of €6,000 will be granted to a laboratory
technician, animal caretaker or technologist who has demonstrated outstanding
achievements in new, novel approaches to advance the implementation or
awareness raising of refinement of animal testing.
You apply for
the prize before 18 September 2023.
EPAA Refinement Prize (ec.europa.eu)
| | | | | Funding for replacing animal
experiments
| The Swedish Fund for
Research Without Animal Experiments promotes the development of new methods and
new knowledge in toxicology, medical research, biological production and other
areas where animals are being used today.
Their 2023 call is open until 30th of June.
Research funding grants (forskautandjurforsok.se) | | | | |
Annual meeting for animal welfare bodies
Stockholm all day Welcome to the annual meeting for all Swedish animal welfare bodies. You will meet colleagues from other animal facilities at this meeting with a mix of lectures and networking.
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Workshop on
stress-reduced handling of mice and rats in research
Online workshop in English, at 1-3 pm CET Swedish 3Rs Center, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and RISE.
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Workshop on stress-reduced handling of mice and rats in researchOnline workshop in Swedish, at 10-12 am CET
Swedish 3Rs Center, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and RISE.
| | | | | | | | CalendarUp-coming events internationally: | | | | | | | |
The Swedish 3Rs Center is the executive body of the National Committee for the Protection of Animals used for Scientific Purposes and part of the Swedish Board of Agriculture.
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