Process to gain access to the vivarium and work with animals in research
These are the steps that MUST be completed prior to working with animals, including gaining access to the vivarium. Steps 1-3 can occur concurrently. For more details on any of the steps, click on the boxes below. Please contact the IACUC office at [email protected] with any questions.
- Occupational Health clearance to work with animals
- Completion of the 4 Animal Program Orientation Modules in Percipio
- Submit Personnel Qualifications Form*
- PI requests that the individual is added to the protocol
- Completion of the vivarium access requirements (training and tour)
To comply with Federal Regulations requiring the IACUC to ensure that those named on animal protocols are appropriately trained to perform the procedures listed on the protocol, *updated personnel qualifications forms are to be attached to each new protocol submission in the online database.
Personnel Qualifications forms must contain up-to-date information on training, and signature dates must be concurrent with the submission. The 'amount of experience' should define the number of months/years for which the procedures have been carried out and by whom training was provided. If the associate does not have prior experience in a procedure, write "in training" for the "amount of experience" and who will train the associate in the "training" field.
The IACUC requires that the Personnel Qualifications form be completed and signed by the associate and then reviewed and signed off by the PI (to assure the IACUC that appropriate training for the procedures detailed on the protocol has taken place). Please detail the procedures which will be the responsibility of the associate for each protocol number provide. The PQ form information must be typed. The IACUC Office advises that completed PQ forms are saved electronically to facilitate future updates and submissions.
Please be aware that workshops/classes on a number of topics on procedures involving animal manipulations are offered, with no charge to researchers, by the Animal Care Program. Please see our training page for more information.
Go to the Occupational Health Forms page and complete an Initial Medical Surveillance form.
Please have your immunization records, your initial medical surveillance questionnaire, your employee ID #, and a speedtype (account to which any tests/immunizations will be charged) ready for your appointment.
Please see the Occupational Health page for more information or Contact [email protected] with questions about clearance.
The orientation consists of four training modules/courses accessed via Percipio in MyCU.
- The Animal Program Orientation is an introduction to the CU Anschutz Animal Program (IACUC). This course discusses laws and regulations concerning the ethical treatment of research animals.
- Disease Prevention and Control in the Animal Housing Facilities discusses standard risks associated with using animals (especially rodents), diseases, and how to help control them in the facility.
- Standard Operating Procedures in the Housing Facilities covers practices that are required inside the animal housing facilities, including personal protective equipment, supplies, aseptic technique, and disinfection.
- The OLAR Vivarium Access Videos cover the proper procedures for entering, working in, and exiting the animal facilities.
You must complete all four courses with a passing grade of 80%. You may get copies of certificates to send to [email protected] or the IACUC/OLAR offices will confirm your completion of the courses.
Complete and send signed personnel qualifications form (one per PI) to the IACUC e-mail [email protected]. All portions of the form must be completed; email [email protected] with questions.
After the Personnel Qualification (PQ) form is completed and signed by both the associate and the PI, it should be saved electronically so it can be updated and attached to new protocol submissions.
When steps 1-3 are completed, the IACUC office will add a new associate to the appropriate protocol(s) and will e-mail Kim Schoonveld (the OLAR training manager), and copy the associate and PI, to request a tour of the vivarium.
Please note that you should allow at least 1 week after completing all steps before being added to a protocol(s). It is important to complete these steps as quickly as possible.
Kim Schoonveld will send an access request form. Once the completed access form is received, you'll get an email from OLAR to schedule the next steps in the access process.