Laboratory animal technicians are an essential part of the research team and provide compassionate attention to the animals in their care. AALAS is committed to technicians and offers them a variety of products and services to help them excel in their jobs.
Importance of Technicians: Quotes from AALAS Leadership
When my husband Willie was diagnosed with cancer, he was given only 6 months to live. Our family had Willie with us to share good times and life for an additional 6 years! We thank each of you for your dedication to biomedical research. Without your dedication and efforts, we would not have had those extra few years with a really great guy.
--Gail Heidbrink, LATG
TechLink TechLink is an electronic mailing list (listserve) created especially for animal care technicians in the field of laboratory animal science. More information on TechLink is available in the Listserves section.
Tech Talk
Tech Talk is a bimonthly publication focusing on current information and technology of interest to technicians and other members of the research team. More information on Tech Talk is available in the Publications section.
AALAS National Meeting
There are three technician-oriented events at the AALAS National Meeting: The Technician Fun Fair, the Hunter lecture, and the Technician Lunch & Learn. The Technician Fun Fair is an educational, fun event for technicians held each year during the AALAS National Meeting. This event focuses on a set of questions about AALAS, the AALAS National Meeting, and technical questions from numerous exhibiting companies located in the Exhibit Hall. The Tech Fair is an exciting way for technicians to expand their animal care knowledge and meet techs from other facilities across the country.
Everyone competing in the Tech Fair will receive a variety of surprises and a certificate of completion worth 4 CEUs toward the AALAS Technician Certification Registry. There will be drawings made for a variety of prizes for those scoring 80% or better on their exam and those making 95% or higher will receive special recognition ribbons.
The Hunter lecture held each year at the AALAS National Meeting has laboratory animal technicians as its focus. Dr. Charles Hunter, a past president of AALAS, was a strong supporter of technician education and training. A fund was developed for technician-oriented educational opportunities, and this lecture was created. The topics and speakers vary each year and may be linked to another round table discussion or seminar. Technicians of all levels are encouraged to attend.
The newest event for technicians at the AALAS National Meeting, the Technician Lunch & Learn provides a relaxed and casual environment for technicians to learn a variety of new things while enjoying lunch with technicians from other facilities. The "learn" portion of the two-hour session will vary from year to year, but technicians can always be assured of useful and worthwhile topics relating directly to the needs of technicians.
AALAS Learning Library
The AALAS Learning Library (ALL) is an online learning platform that features courses in a variety of subjects related to lab animal science, including courses based on the technician certification training manuals. Courses in ALL will have an assigned CEU value for completing a course and passing the exam. Your transcript will track the CEUs you earn to maintain your status in the AALAS Technician Certification Registry!
AALAS Technician Certification Program and Registry The AALAS Technician Certification Program was developed to recognize professional achievement and provide an authoritative endorsement of a technician’s level of competence in laboratory animal technology.
The demand for fully trained, competent animal care technicians in the field of laboratory animal science will greatly increase as the need for more medical and scientific advances arises. AALAS certification is the highest recognition for technicians in the laboratory animal science profession. The AALAS Technician Certification program is described in detail in the Technician Certification Handbook.
A visible distinction of personal achievement and professional dedication, the AALAS Technician Certification Registry recognizes technicians who maintain high educational standards and choose to maintain a current, credible level of knowledge. Registry members are distinguished by an "R" preceding their certification level acronym. See the Technician Certification page for more information on these programs.
International Laboratory Animal Technician Week Tech Week Recognition Items
During the 1999 AALAS National Meeting in Indianapolis, the CTA created a National Laboratory Animal Technician Week in honor of AALAS’ 50th year of existence. Approved by the AALAS Board of Trustees, this annual celebration recognizes laboratory animal technicians for their essential contributions as members of the research team. Because of its success, it was expanded in 2002 and renamed the International Laboratory Animal Technician Week, allowing technicians from around the world to participate in the event. AALAS and the International Council for Laboratory Animal Science (ICLAS) work together to acknowledge technicians for their roles in the biomedical/biological research field. Special items of recognition for technicians are available at the AALAS National Meeting each year and from the AALAS Bookstore.
Committee on Technician Awareness and Development
The Committee on Technician Awareness Development (CTAD) was designed to provide technicians with an active voice in AALAS. The CTAD’s goals are to:
Establish initiatives at AALAS specifically geared to enhance technicians’ roles.
Recognize technicians as one of the most important assets of the national organization.
Develop technician programs and encourage participation at the AALAS National Meeting.
Encourage technicians to take an active role in all AALAS activities, meetings, and publications at the national, district, and branch levels.
Provide information and support to laboratory animal technicians through the Technician Branch Representative (TBR) Network. Serving as a vital support network, the CTAD is a professional and personal resource for laboratory animal technicians.
The TBR Network
As an essential part of the CTAD, the Technician Branch Representative (TBR) network fosters an indispensable connection between national AALAS and laboratory animal technicians who work in the field. Responsible for delivering information about AALAS national programs and activities, TBRs remain in close contact with district committee members.
Included in TBRs’ responsibilities are:
Sharing technicians’ activities, ideas, and suggestions.
Assisting technicians in promoting biomedical research on a local basis.
Providing technicians with professional opportunities and strategies.
Encouraging technician participation in AALAS at a local and national level.
Requesting technicians’ articles for AALAS publications.
Technician Branch Representatives must be AALAS national members and dedicated branch members who are able to attend meetings and conduct CTAD business. TBRs are appointed to three-year, renewable terms.
Through the hard work and effort of the CTAD and its TBR network, AALAS offers laboratory animal technicians a variety of opportunities.
Contact AALAS to learn more about the CTAD and the TBR network.
Technician Branch Representatives (TBRs) are a vital part of the Committee on Technician Awareness & Development (CTAD). TBRs share technicians' activities, ideas, and suggestions; help them promote biomedical research on a local basis; provide them with professional opportunities and strategies; encourage them to participate in AALAS at a local and national level; and request technicians' articles for AALAS publications. In short, they provide a valuable connection between national AALAS and technicians in the field.
The TBR who demonstrates outstanding performance above all others will be the winner of the AALAS TBR Recognition Award. The award consists of a complimentary AALAS National Meeting registration, a complimentary hotel room, plus an additional $150 in travel funds and reimbursement of airfare up to $500. To qualify, TBRs must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Active involvement in local AALAS branch activities (attends branch meetings, places articles in branch newsletter, etc.) – 40 points
Participation in TBR network (maintains regular contact with other TBRs, maintains contact with district CTAD rep, etc.) – 35 points
Participation in CTAD activities at all levels (promotes Tech Week within their branch, volunteers at CTAD booth at National Meeting, participates in CTAD events at National Meeting, etc.) – 10 points
Letters of recommendation – 10 points
Demonstrates Financial need – 5 points
Nominations are accepted from any AALAS branch member, a member of the AALAS branch's board of directors or the district's CTAD representative. If you have a TBR in your branch who you feel has shown an exemplary job performance, please nominate him/her by using the "TBR Recognition Award" nomination form.
Deadline for the "TBR Recognition Award" nomination submission is July 1. The final vote will be determined by a subcommittee of the CTAD.
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