Candidate FAQ

• Q. What's it like to be an animal technician?

  
  A. Animal technicians are responsible for the care and welfare of all the animals used in medical research alongside some experimental work. As an animal technician you have day to day contact with animals including providing food and water, carrying out observations, general cleaning and care of the animals and monitoring the weight and growth of the animals in your care. As an animal technician you will come into contact with a variety of animals. The most common ones you will come across are mice, rats, rabbits and guinea pigs, however sometimes you will also work alongside other animals such as monkeys, dogs, cats and farm animals. All animal technicians have to follow strict guidelines set out by the Home Office which are in place to ensure that all animals used in medical research are well looked after and humanely treated.

• Q. What hours do animal technicians work?

  
  A. Animal technicians work a variety of hours as animals need care 24 hours a day all year round. Hours are usually worked out on a rota system which can include weekends and bank holidays. Animal technicians typically work a 37 hour week, however in some cases part time work is available.

• Q. What is the pay like as an animal technician?

  
  A. Junior animal technicians can expect to earn between £12,000 and £15,000 per year. Qualified/Licensed and experienced technicians can expect to earn between £15,000 and £20,000 per year. Senior Technicians can expect to earn £20,000 and above. However salaries are often dependent upon area and company as there are no national pay scales for this industry.

• Q. What general skills and interests do I need to become an animal technician?

  
  A. Any individual who is looking for a career as an animal technician needs to be committed to the care and welfare of animals in general. They need to be able to pay close attention to detail, have the ability to work as part of a team and be able to keep accurate records.

• Q. What kind of qualifications do I need when looking for a job in the animal technology industry?

  
  A. Although there are no specific entry requirements for a junior role, employers would expect you to have the minimum of GCSE's Maths, English and Science (Grades A-D) or equivalent. For some roles you may be expected to have further qualifications such as A-Levels or industry specific ones such as BTEC in Animal Management or Certificate of the Institute of Animal Technology (CIAT). It is always useful when looking for work in this industry, to have had experience of with animals such as kennel work or pet shop work.

• Q. How do I progress once in the industry?

  
  A. Once you have started work with a company, you will receive training on the job and will learn how to undertake routine tasks that enable the animals to be looked after according to the home office guidelines. Before you can participate in any of the scientific procedures that take place you must have a Home Office licence. In order to obtain a Home Office licence you will need at least one years experience in the animal technology industry and complete a short training course. This is all part of the Home Office's regulations regarding the usage of animals in research. You may have the opportunity to work towards NVQ's in Animal Technology and take The Institute of Animal Technology qualifications that range from IAT certificate in Laboratory Animal Husbandry through to BSc degrees. From this you can progress to a Membership or Fellowship diploma and can then apply to join the Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer's register.