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.
 

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.

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.