IACUC Specialist

Job Responsibilities:

• Participates in special projects and performs other job related duties as required.
• Engages in both an administrative and substantive pre-review of the protocol before it is routed to other reviewers and eventually to the IACUC for review. The administrative review includes such tasks as guidance in routing the protocol to the appropriate resources for grant congruency review and/or hazardous materials review as appropriate.
• Assists principal investigators and research teams with annual renewals, 3-year renewals and amendments. If an amendment is needed, the IACUC specialist will collaborate with the principal investigator for prompt submission to the IACUC.
• Serves as a resource to the PI in discussing the animal research protocol with a Designated Member Reviewer of the IACUC or in preparing the submission for Full Committee Review
• Provides clarification to the PI on any modifications requested during the Designated Member or Full Committee Review of the IACUC protocol.
• Works with the principal investigator to self-report unanticipated adverse events or events of noncompliance to the IACUC as appropriate.
• Answers questions from the PI and his/her research team that arise in day-to-day work that relate to animal research. Responds to customer inquiries by first verifying understanding of the inquiry, then assists the customer in retrieving an answer to the inquiry (either through providing it directly or connecting the customer to the appropriate resource within the animal care and use program) and finally confirming the customers understanding of the answer.
• Informs all interested parties of the available training options and requirements within the NYU Grossman School of Medicine Animal Care and Use Program and helps arrange for such training as appropriate as training needs are identified through protocol development or other interactions with the PI and research team. In these cases, the IACUC specialist may attend the training session to both self-educate and ensure the PIs understanding of expectations.
• Conducts the regulatory portion of the New Researcher orientation lecture.
• Provides regular updates to the PI and the research team on external regulatory developments and internal policy changes which may impact the PIs research.
• Provides additional context for internal and external policy and procedure changes which may impact the PIs research
• Carries forward questions and concerns arising from the PI or the research team, obtains adequate responses and discusses them with concerned parties.
• Conducts post-approval monitoring activities by assessing PI or Research Team compliance with terms of approved animal research protocols
• Conduct for-cause and not-for-cause audit visits by interviewing and/or observing the PI and his/her research team with respect to IACUC approved, active protocols.
• Coordinates and participates in inspections of animal care and use facilities and laboratories to assist the IACUC in providing oversight of all animal-related activities and to ensure compliance with federal regulations, nationally accepted standards and institutional policies
• Assists in monitoring corrective action plans for any post-approval monitoring findings to ensure its completion by the correct by date approved by the IACUC.

Additional Position Specific Responsibilities:

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS

1. Excels in cooperation, collaboration and communication with all NYULH employees
2. May communicate directly with PIs and other scientists, coordinates delivery of results to outside collaborators also.
3. Communicates carefully with others in order to respond appropriately, to answer questions and obtains requested information.
4. Communicates ideas, problems, suggestions, and messages in a timely and effective manner.
5. Maintains the confidentiality of all research information.

JUDGEMENT / DECISION-MAKING

 
1. Is able to recognize problems as they occur, and through the application of
appropriate policy/procedure, determines and/or recommends the appropriate solution.
2. Must be able to troubleshoot.
3. Seeks guidance as necessary for the performance of duties; asks appropriate questions when in doubt and utilizes reference sources/materials to ensure accuracy.
4. Advises appropriate personnel of situations/problems requiring intervention or follow-up attention.