JD #

JD1229

Pay Grade:

8

Title:

Animal Research Compliance Officer

Unit/Project Description:

For Department use only.

Job Summary:

Responsible for monitoring and management of compliance with respect to all animal-based research overseen by McMaster University’s Animal Research Ethics Board (AREB). Enforces, updates and maintains the Post Approval Monitoring Program (PAM) mandated by the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) as a quality assurance mechanism to ensure that research conducted in the Animal Use Protocol (AUP) is undertaken in practice as approved in principle by AREB. Participates in Animal Research Ethics Board meetings, audits and compliance-based issues.  Is responsible on behalf of the University Veterinarian to ensure McMaster University’s institutional policies are in compliance with CCAC regulations and the Animals for Research Act overseen by Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).

Purpose and Key Functions:

• Serve as an active member of Animal Research Ethics Board and report at meetings with respect to reviews and visits, incident reports, issues on non-compliance or protocol deviation to committee members.
• Identify, track and report areas of exposure, protocol drift or non-compliance with respect to approved protocols, amendments and standard operating procedures.

• Coordinate, execute and document observational visits for procedures identified by the University Veterinarian and Animal Research Ethics Board.
• Coordinate, execute and report review visits with Principal Investigator, Researchers and teams.
• Analyze, document and report trends in non-compliance, morbidity and mortality records, infrastructure challenges and staffing issues that affect animal health or maintenance of compliance and humane endpoint.
• Identify areas of exposure with respect to compliance to sponsor guidelines and determining and implementing countermeasures to mitigate risk.
• Deliver and present information at training sessions and workshops.
• Review, report and recommend improvements in AUPs, Endpoint forms and monitoring records, and SOPs.
• Participate in audits of animal facilities, labs and procedural spaces.
• Provide advice and compliance information with researchers and research teams.
• Assist with coordinating and preparing assessment documentation and assessment visits in collaboration.
• Assist the University Veterinarian in preparing and collating responses to reports.
• Ensure the information in the electronic AUP file matches the work performed and recommends how to amend and update files to PIs.
• Recommend training or re-training of individuals after observational audits or AUP reviews.
• Participate in creating and reviewing of educational material in regards to compliance, ethics and related programs.
• Interpret new regulatory mandates, rules, and requirements.
• Escort the Regulatory inspectors on facility and lab audits on behalf of the University Veterinarian.
• Maintain, review and update guidelines and processes.
• Maintain a number of databases including incident report records and annual summaries.
• Write a variety of documents such as correspondence, reports, presentation slides and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Remain current with new and existing regulatory guidelines and legislation in relation to animal research.

Supervision:

• Provides functional guidance to others on an ongoing basis.

Requirements:

• 3 year College Diploma in Animal Health Technology

• Requires 4 years of relevant experience.

Assets:

For Department use only.

Excellent problem solving and interpersonal skills are essential.

Building excellent relationships with Research Scientists, students and the animal care team is required

Experience on Research Ethic’s Boards is an asset

Excellent presentation skills are necessary

Additional Information: