FELASA recommendations for the education and training of laboratory animal technicians: Category A: Report of the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations Working Group on Education of Animal Technicians (Category A) accepted by the FELASA Board of Management
Abstract
Degree | A0 | A1 | A2 |
---|---|---|---|
Precondition | Successful completion of school education | Accomplished A0 level | Successfully passed A1 exam |
Duration | 30 h introductory | Min. one year | Min. one year |
Education | 20 h theory 10 h practical | 200 h theory 200 h practical | 200 h theory 200 h practical |
Recognition of previous educational achievement
FELASA Category A0 (A zero)
Activities and responsibilities
Teaching syllabi for Category A0
Topic | Theory | Formal practice |
---|---|---|
Hygiene and supplies | Understand and respect the basics of hygienic rules. Understand the safe and correct use of cleaning and sterilizing equipment. Define the principle of hygienic zones. |
Keep a hygienic and tidy facility with adequate supplies of clean cages, bottles and consumable items. Keep the store tidy. Dispose waste appropriately. |
Husbandry | Explain suitable feeding regimes and choose adequate methods of providing food and water. | Provide animals with adequate food and water and maintain them according to standard requirements. |
Indicate suitable housing, bedding and enrichment. | Provide suitable housing, bedding and enrichment. | |
Indicate techniques for the safe and competent handling and transport of appropriate species. | Record temperature and relative humidity and report measurements according to the rules of the facility. | |
Employ techniques for the safe and competent handling of appropriate species. Transport animals within the facility correctly and safely. | ||
Safety | Recognize the need for safe working practices and the use of personal protective equipment. | Work in a safe manner. |
Ethics and legislation | Appreciate the need for animal use and legal protection of animal welfare. Dispose of basic knowledge of relevant national legislation. Consider society's concerns about animal use. | Work in accordance to legal rules. |
FELASA Category A1
Activities and responsibilities
Teaching syllabi for Category A1
Topic | Theory | Formal practice |
---|---|---|
Basic biology of the frequently used laboratory animal species | Describe anatomical structures and organ systems. Explain physiological processes and relate them to anatomical structures. Indicate the main behavioural requirements. |
Denominate body parts of living animals of the most frequently used species. |
Housing and care | Explain the biological needs of laboratory animals in relation to care and husbandry practices. Indicate the standards of care and husbandry of laboratory animals required to meet national and European regulations and codes of practice. Define the concept of a barrier system. Explain function and use of IVC systems. |
Apply working practices to maintain the integrity of the barrier in relation to microbiologically defined and genetically modified animals. Keep animals of unknown health status and those experimentally infected with potentially hazardous material in separated units. Demonstrate the proper use of IVC systems and cage changing stations. Fulfil the requirements involved in the maintenance of isolator-reared animals. |
Animal handling | Outline the reasons for, and the importance of correct handling of laboratory animals. Explain accurately the variety of techniques employed for the safe and competent handling of the most frequently used laboratory species. |
Select an appropriate handling method based on physical characteristics, behavioural and individual traits of the species concerned. Pick up and hold animals using methods that are safe and acceptable to both the animal and handler. Remove animals competently from, and return them to, a variety of cage types for mammalian maintenance as well as holding systems for birds and aquatic species. Determine the age and sex in a wide range of species using a variety of external features. Select appropriate methods of physical restraint relating to animal care and scientific procedures. |
Care and husbandry | Explain the need for animal care routines with special reference to meeting species-specific physiological and behavioural requirements. Indicate the housing, maintenance and breeding of rodents and other relevant laboratory animal species, with special respect to genetically altered animals. Indicate special care needs, e.g. for breeding or experimental animals. Indicate the purpose of animal caging; features of good cage design relevant to the species and purpose for which the animal is being kept. Indicate the need for the provision of bedding and nesting material where appropriate and argue for the selection and suitability of materials available for this purpose. Declare the meaning of acclimatization, socialization and training of animals. Explain the significance of environmental enrichment in relation to animal welfare and other contributory factors to improving care and husbandry regimes. Indicate the need for individual animal identification and the application of appropriate methods of marking for each species. |
Provide clean cages with adequate bedding and nesting material. Provide suitable feeding regimes and apply suitable methods of providing food and water. Accustom animals to new cages and social partners. Identify animals using different marking methods. |
Nutrition | Indicate factors influencing the choice of diet and feeding practices; effects of specific treatments on nutritional content, e.g. sterilization. Declare the basic nutritional components of animal diets and their presentation; particular dietary needs of some species and breeding or growing animals. Explain the necessity for a constant source of drinking water. |
Comply with the nutritional requirements of laboratory animals through appropriate selection of the types and composition of laboratory animal diets, including special features of aquatic animals. Apply appropriate methods for presentation of drinking water. |
Breeding | Describe the basics of the biology of reproduction in a range of laboratory animal species, including aquatic species. | Use common breeding systems and explain the practical considerations in establishing and maintaining such programmes, with special reference to genetically modified animals. |
Animal facility routines | Indicate the necessity for regular cleaning of animal rooms and service areas. Indicate the need for monitoring and recording environmental and microbiological conditions within the unit. |
Adhere to defined cleaning regimes within the facility. Use and handle cleaning and sterilization equipment safely and correctly. Prepare correct dilutions of disinfectants. Monitor and record environmental and microbiological data according to guidelines of the facility. Attend to personal hygiene and adhere to specified working practices and procedures for the protection of staff and animals. |
Disease prevention and control | Indicate the need for, and importance of, health and welfare checks and the recording and reporting of any remarks by appropriate means and terminology. Be aware of common disease problems in a range of laboratory animal species; recognition of the signs of disease; zoonoses. Indicate the importance of disease prevention and control and of health surveillance programmes. |
Recognize behavioural and clinical signs of ill health plus signs (both general and specific for the species concerned) that could indicate a deviation from normal health and wellbeing and consider the action to be taken. |
Euthanasia | Explain the reasons for, and the definition of euthanasia. Indicate suitable methods of euthanasia for a range of laboratory animal species; legal restrictions or recommended guidelines for performing such methods. Explain factors influencing the method of choice and methods for confirmation of death. |
Perform accurate methods of euthanasia according to guidelines of the facility. |
Environment | Consider the environmental factors in relation to the normal range for laboratory animal species. Explain possible consequences of an inappropriate environment. |
Monitor and report environmental recordings. |
Safety | Indicate the need for safe working practices and to implement local protocols and national legislation concerning health and safety in the workplace. | Apply containment procedures for biological (including genetically modified organisms), chemical and other hazards; for safe handling of equipment and supplies; as well as for personal hygiene and the prevention of laboratory animal allergy. |
Legislation/ethics | Debate the ethical implications of the use of animals for biomedical research. Understand and explain the concept of the 3Rs and the use of alternatives. Be aware of GLP regulations. |
Have a working knowledge of national legislation controlling the use of animals for scientific purposes and be aware of other relevant legislation including codes of practice. |
Animal welfare | Exemplify the role of environmental enrichment in animal welfare. | Recognize normal and abnormal animal behaviour; and relate these signs to an estimation of wellbeing or pain, ill health and distress. |
Additional topics | Use computers for investigations on the web and writing records. Be aware of rules of communication and their impact. |
Perform minor (non-surgical) experimental procedures. Use computers for routine work. Communicate with customers and colleagues. |
FELASA Category A2
Activities and responsibilities
Topic | Theory | Formal practice |
---|---|---|
Management of the animal facility | Understand the importance of procedures and policies for the efficient and safe operation of the animal facility; preparation of reports. Understand the basic function of air-conditioning and other technical systems. |
Support the management of the facility; care for effective use of resources, the management of budgets, the working relationships within and outside the department. Implement (under supervision) procedures and policies for the efficient and safe operation of the animal facility; preparation of reports. Use computer-assisted management programmes for the management of animals, facilities and planning of work. Be aware of the general principles of staff management. Monitor data of room climate, light regime and other technical systems. |
Communication and information technology | Be aware of the various communication techniques. Develop a teaching and training programme for junior staff. |
Communicate clearly and effectively using a variety of formats. Use basic software packages as applicable. Perform teaching and training of junior staff. |
Nutrition | Manage the nutritional requirements of laboratory animals in theoretical terms including formulation and provision of special diets. Consider implications of variation in dietary composition and factors influencing storage and use. |
Manage the nutritional requirements of laboratory animals in practical terms including provision of special diets. Order quality assurance testing. |
Breeding | Explain the rules of the management of animal breeding colonies, including production and maintenance of genetically defined, outbred and inbred strains as well as genetically altered lines and genetic monitoring procedures. Apply genetic principles in the breeding of genetically defined strains and genetically altered lines. Define breeding programmes |
Monitor breeding performance; maintain records; apply criteria for selection of a breeding stock. Apply breeding programmes in the breeding of genetically defined strains and genetically altered lines. Use appropriate breeding programmes for such stocks and strains. |
III health, disease prevention and control | Describe the importance of disease prevention and control; the possible effects of disease including subclinical disease and medicaments on experimental results and breeding performance. Explain the importance and implementation of health surveillance programmes. Describe the microbiological procedures associated with screening programmes; interpretation of results; factors affecting action taken; health monitoring schemes. Indicate physiological and behavioural aspects of stress; types of stressors. |
|
Collect samples and/or identify appropriate stock for health surveillance programmes. Identify signs of stress in species attended. |
||
Experimental procedures | Indicate factors influencing choice of route and method; volumes and frequency of sampling and dosing. Be aware of the role and responsibilities of personnel involved and the appropriate lines of communication. |
Administer substances to experimental animals by common routes. Prepare dosing material and solutions; in relation to dosing volumes and frequency of dosing. Demonstrate the methods for removal and collection of body fluids, faeces, urine and tissues. Use the correct methods in the storage of biological samples. Provide pre- and postoperative care to experimental animals. Recognize signs of pain, discomfort and distress in the relevant species. |
Anaesthesia and analgesia | Indicate principles of anaesthesia and analgesia management. Indicate the rationale of the choice and administration of anaesthetic and analgesic agents; species peculiarities. Be aware of possible anaesthetic emergencies and post-anaesthetic care. Understand the principles of anaesthesia and analgesia. |
Operate elementary anaesthetic and monitoring equipment. Assist anaesthetist in anaesthetic emergencies and ensure pain control during post-anaesthetic care. Give premedication; monitor and maintain procedures of the anaesthetized animal. |
Surgery | Indicate the principles of surgery and basic surgical techniques. Identify common suturing materials and techniques. Be aware of complications and remedial action; recognition and control of infection and pain. Denominate principles of diagnostic and monitoring equipment, e.g. imaging techniques, endoscopy, electrocardiography and electroencephalography |
Assist with aseptic techniques; surgical instruments and their application. Monitor wound healing. Organize sterilization of instruments and consumables used in operating theatre. Provide pre- and postoperative care. |
Euthanasia | Assess the factors to be considered when selecting a suitable method for euthanasia. | Demonstrate correct methods of euthanasia. |
Transportation | Be aware of national and international regulatory requirements and documentation. Be aware of animal welfare issues. |
Organize hiring of official carrying agents. Provide appropriate packaging of the animals. |
Animal welfare | Be aware of physiological and behavioural aspects of stress. Denominate types of stressors. | Identify physiological and behavioural aspects of trauma and pain. Provide appropriate housing conditions including environmental enrichment. |
Legislation | Debate the ethical implications of the use of animals for research. Consider the concept of the 3Rs and the use of alternatives. Be aware of international acts, orders, regulations, schedules and codes of practice relevant to the working of an animal facility. |
Comply with national acts, orders, regulations, schedules and codes of practice relevant to the working of an animal facility. |
Teaching syllabi for Category A2
Suggested main topics and learning outcomes (Table 4)
Relevant websites
References
Cite article
Cite article
Cite article
Download to reference manager
If you have citation software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice
Information, rights and permissions
Information
Published In
Keywords
Authors
Metrics and citations
Metrics
Article usage*
Total views and downloads: 1082
*Article usage tracking started in December 2016
Altmetric
See the impact this article is making through the number of times it’s been read, and the Altmetric Score.
Learn more about the Altmetric Scores
Articles citing this one
Receive email alerts when this article is cited
Web of Science: 4 view articles Opens in new tab
Crossref: 0
-
Attaining competence in the care of animals used in research
-
FELASA accreditation of education and training courses in laboratory a...
-
The European Framework on Research Animal Welfare Regulations and Guid...
-
The reporting of clinical signs in laboratory animals...
-
Ethical Issues and Regulations and Guidelines Concerning Animal Resear...
-
The European Framework on Research Animal Welfare Regulations and Guid...
-
Housing and Maintenance
Figures and tables
Figures & Media
Tables
View Options
View options
PDF/ePub
View PDF/ePubGet access
Access options
If you have access to journal content via a personal subscription, university, library, employer or society, select from the options below:
loading institutional access options
GV-SOLAS members can access this journal content using society membership credentials.
GV-SOLAS members can access this journal content using society membership credentials.
Alternatively, view purchase options below:
Purchase 24 hour online access to view and download content.
Access journal content via a DeepDyve subscription or find out more about this option.