How can the Technician Training Shorts help with training staff on specific topics?

Training Shorts provide opportunities to:

• Make your training sessions short and focused to better fit busy schedules
• Engage your staff in the learning process through active learning exercises
• Enhance the transfer of learning to the workplace through practice and review

Schedule a training session for staff to view a 10 to 15-minute recording and then use the active learning exercises provided to reinforce the learning experience - either immediately after the presentation or later.

Individuals who view the recording and participate in the exercise may apply their training time for CEUs for the Technician Certification Registry or CMAR recertification. Please use the forms on the AALAS website or use the online CEU submission.

There are currently Training Shorts available for five topics.

Lifting Safety

Lifting heavy or bulky items, such as feed, bedding, cages, trash, or large animals can be challenging. Watch the recording to learn:

1. The basics of lifting ergonomics
2. How to lift safely and avoid injury
3. Practical tips to improve lifting conditions and reduce risks of lifting injuries.

Cart Moving Safety

Moving carts and racks in the facility containing items, such as feed, bedding, cages, trash, or small animals, often involves navigating around obstacles. Watch the recording to learn:

1. The basics of cart-moving ergonomics for both carts and racks
2. How to reduce cart-moving injuries
3. Practical examples to improve cart-moving conditions
4. The importance of cart and rack maintenance

Repetitive Job Safety: Small Animal Care

Changing cages, prepping cages with bedding and food, processing water bottles, and cleaning are some of the repetitive jobs performed by animal care staff. Watch the recording to learn:

1. The basics of risk factors that lead to injuries.
2. How to make repetitive jobs safer.
3. Strategies that can be implemented in your facility.
4. Ways to incorporate self-care into your routine.

Compassion Fatigue: The Cost of Caring

It is important for staff to recognize the signs of compassion fatigue and learn different strategies that can be used to manage it. Watch the recording to learn:

1. The risk factors that lead to compassion fatigue.
2. The signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue.
3. Ways to cope with and manage compassion fatigue, both personally and in the workplace.

Health Observations of Mice and Rats

Animal care technicians are often the first to recognize and report problems concerning the animals in their care. Watch the recording to learn:

1. What does a healthy mouse and rat look like?
2. What signs of good health should you look for?
3. How do you recognize the health problems presented?

Additional technician training shorts may be coming on various topics!