Trainng in Laboratory Animal Care and Use

• Required Paperwork
• Animal User Orientation (Required once)
• Web-based Exams (Required annually)
• Breeding Colonies 101
• Animal Biosafety Training
• Hands-on and Other Training Opportunities

 

Required Paperwork:

Application for Personnel Change – An Application for Personnel Change Form must be submitted for each protocol on which an individual will work.

Personnel Information Sheet - All individuals must submit a Personnel Information Sheet to the IACUC. Additional training may be required (by the IACUC) upon review of these documents.

Completed IACUC Forms may be sent to mail code (151-VMU) or brought to room #6260

Enrollment – Declination Form
Laboratory Animal Allergies Information
Laboratory Animal Allergy Questionnaire
Medical History Form

Completed OH&S Forms must be turned into the Research Administration Office room #6001

Animal User Orientation (1.5 hour class):
Attendance is mandatory for all personnel who will work with laboratory animals, regardless of prior experience. The first part of the orientation is a presentation with the Animal Program Compliance Officer. This section takes approximately 45 minutes and includes: laws and regulations related to animal research, AAALAC accreditation, introduction to the IACUC, protocol requirements, protocol submission and review procedures, compliance and reporting requirements, and the concept of alternatives (3R’s).

The second part of the orientation includes a presentation and facility tour by the VMU’s Training Coordinator. This section takes approximately 1 hour. Topics include occupational health and animal allergies, policies and procedures in the VMU, surgical monitoring and use of anesthetics and analgesics, pre and post procedural monitoring and record keeping requirements, and security and VMU access procedures.

A printable Orientation Schedule is available. Orientation classes are held on the second Tuesday of each month (at 12:30 pm) and the fourth Wednesday of each month (at 9:00 am). You do not need to sign up for the class, simply show up at 9:00 A.M at the Research Conference Room #6016. Please be on time; if you come in late you may be asked to come back for the next scheduled session.

Web-based Exams:
Annual web-based training is required for all investigators and personnel using research animals at the VASDHS. These courses are available at the CITI Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative website. The table below indicates which online exams are required and which are recommended.   Incomplete or expired training may result in a delay of protocol and protocol renewal approvals.

To complete the training you must first register as a new user at the CITIprogram.org web page. To be able to receive credit for the exam you must select the “San Diego -664” as your institutional affiliation (Under “Select your institution or organization” go to Veterans Affairs and choose “San Diego, CA-664”).

You must score at least 85% to pass an exam; you may take an exam as many times as you wish. Once you pass the exam, print the completion certificate and submit a copy to the Research Administration Office room #6001 (if the certificate will not print, it may mean that you did not pass the exam.  Please verify your score).   Incomplete or expired training may result in a delay of protocol and protocol renewal approvals.

* As of April 2009, VA Central Office no longer requires all VA paid (non-WOC) employees to complete 40 hours of training each year. However, all employees are still required to complete any VA Mandatory Training, and Role-Specific Training as designated by your Service Training Coordinator.  To receive credit for your training, print your completion certificates and submit it to the Research Administration Office room #6001. Incomplete or expired training may result in a delay of protocol and protocol renewal approvals.

Breeding Colonies 101 (1 hour class):

This course is required for anyone who will be working with or managing a rodent breeding colony, but is also available to anyone interested in attending. The class includes a slide presentation and covers gender identification, breeding systems, reproduction information for rodents, and record keeping requirements. Training is available as needed, and arrangements should be made with the VMU’s Training Coordinator.

Animal Biosafety Training (1 hour class):

Hands-On and Other Training Opportunities:

The VMU offers free training sessions for all laboratory personnel. Topics for training include basic animal handling and minor procedures in common species. Training can be provided in groups or one-to-one if requested. To schedule training please contact the VMU’s Training Coordinator.

Classes currently available inclued: