Animal Care & Use Training
Requirements for Student Researchers, Staff & Faculty
The IACUC requires all personnel that conduct any research and/or teaching that involves handling, manipulating, or performing procedures on live vertebrate animals, whether in the laboratory or in the field to complete the required training and become certified to use animals.
Protocols, modification requests and annual renewals will not be approved until all personnel listed are certified.
Unsure which requirements or forms apply to you? Select a group below to review required forms and trainings.
If working with vertebrates outside of the vivarium, you must complete the following:
CITI Training Follow our how-to guide on registering and completing the CITI course.
Medical Health and Risk Assessment Form (Download form for fillable PDF) Upload to your Student Health Portal.
- The Public Health Service Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) requires Davidson College to have an occupational health and safety program for personnel who work with animals. This form is
evaluated confidentially by a medical professional to proactively identify and evaluate risks working with
animals. You may be contacted with follow up questions. Based on your risk factors, ongoing annual
assessments will be followed up on case by case basis.
If working in the vivarium, student researchers must complete the following:
CITI Training Follow our how-to guide on registering and completing the CITI course.
Animal Occupational Health & Safety Program Read this guide in its entirety.
Medical Health and Risk Assessment Form (Download form for fillable PDF) Upload to your Student Health Portal.
- The Public Health Service Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) requires Davidson College to have an occupational health and safety program for personnel who work with animals. This form is
evaluated confidentially by a medical professional to proactively identify and evaluate risks working with
animals. You may be contacted with follow up questions. Based on your risk factors, ongoing annual
assessments will be followed up on case by case basis.
Risks Associated with the Handling and Use of Animals in Research and Learning Environments Read this notification in its entirety.
If working in the vivarium, faculty and staff researchers must complete the following:
CITI Training Follow our how-to guide on registering and completing the CITI course.
Animal Occupational Health & Safety Program- Read this guide in its entirety.
New Procedures: Staff/Faculty Medical Health and Risk Assessment Form- No in-person physical required!
Please complete the Medical Health and Risk Assessment Form electronically by following the steps below:
- Enter your name and email address and select "Begin Signing" at the bottom.
- Complete all required fields.
- Submit documents.
Once submitted, your form will be automatically routed to our partners at Atrium Health. Atrium Health will schedule a virtual “visit” for their clinical team to review your information and provide a medical clearance recommendation.
- You may receive a notification for this scheduled visit. Please do not cancel this appointment, as Atrium Health requires it to formally document their review.
After the review is complete, Atrium Health will issue a medical clearance letter, which will be sent to you and the designated representative at Davidson College.
If faculty or staff not working with vertebrates as a core function (ex. members of Physical Plant, Biology Staff, EH&S, Janitorial, Security, IACUC, Visitors & Volunteers), please complete the following:
Risks Associated with the Handling and Use of Animals in Research and Learning Environments Read this notification in its entirety.
Additional Required Training
In addition to hands-on training that may be required by the IACUC to ensure personnel are proficient in all procedures listed on the protocol application, the following additional courses may be required:
- Species-specific modules (mouse, rat, zebrafish, amphibian, etc...): required for all animal users
- Aseptic Surgery: required if performing survival or non-survival surgery in any animal specie
- Antibody Production: required if performing antibody production in any animal specie
- Blood Collection: required if collecting blood from any animal specie
- Reducing Pain and Distress in Laboratory Mice and Rats: required if performing procedures which could cause pain and/or distress in rodents
- Wildlife Research: required if working with wild animals
Training of research personnel by the PI must be documented and records must be available upon request.