Mandatory Training for Working with Animals

• Enrollment in the HealthPoint Occupational Health Program
• Web-Based Training Modules
• How to Check Your Training Record

Investigators and other personnel shall be appropriately qualified and experienced for conducting procedures on living animals (US Government Principle VIII). The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) requires that all personnel that conduct any research, teaching, or testing that involves handling, manipulation, or performing procedures on live vertebrate animals, whether in the laboratory or in the field, to complete minimum training items. Protocols will not be reviewed by the IACUC until all personnel listed on a protocol are up-to-date with the required training.

Personnel working with animals are required to complete this training at least once every three years.

The training required by the IACUC is a two-part process. The actions needed are not complicated and can be done on your own schedule. They involve:

• Enrolling in the HealthPoint Occupational Health Program (OHP).
• Completing web-based training modules.

Part 1. Enrollment in the HealthPoint Occupational Health Program (OHP)

All personnel are required to submit the "Part 1. Risk Assessment" form at initial enrollment to the HealthPoint OHP. You may submit the optional "Part 2. Health Assessment" form, especially if you would like to request an individualized consultation with an occupational health professional about your work and any health risks related to your work. There is no cost to you for this consultation service or for any immunizations recommended based on the nature of your work. Information you provide to HealthPoint OHP is protected from unauthorized or indiscriminate release of personal health information, and medical records are maintained in a confidential manner, separate from personnel files.

An OHP Update Questionnaire is required annually if you are an ARC staff member or work with high risk animal species including but not limited to bats or non-human primates. An Update Questionnaire is required every three (3) years for low risk species such as rodents, fish, etc. Once enrolled with HealthPoint OHP, you do NOT need to re-complete the Part 1. Risk Assessment when updating either on the annual (high risk) or every three year schedule (low risk).

More information about the HealthPoint OHP, including forms and location, is available at: http://www.utexas.edu/hr/current/services/ohp.html.

Once HealthPoint OHP has confirmed receipt of your Part 1. Risk Assessment or Update Questionnaire (as applicable), your TXClass record will be updated with:

AN0020: HealthPoint OHP (low risk) (update form required every 3 years)
AN0023: HealthPoint OHP (high risk) (update form required annually for personnel utilizing bats, non-human primates, ARC staff member, etc.)

PLEASE NOTE: eProtocol IACUC is updated with HealthPoint OHP enrollment data twice a day at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. from a computer upload. It may take up to 48 hours for your eProtocol Training History to reflect HealthPoint OHP enrollment. For prompt processing of OHP enrollment, OHP encourages forms be submitted via facsimile (fax) or in-person. Use of campus mail may delay receipt of forms by up to one week.

Part 2. Web-Based Training Modules

The AALAS Learning Library (ALL) online training program was developed by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to provide you with required information on the humane care and use of lab animals as mandated by federal regulations. The ALL provides training that is essential for technicians, veterinarians, managers, IACUC members, and investigators working with animals in a research or education setting.

All personnel must complete the basic “Orientation (3198)” module. This module provides an orientation of the policies and procedures for animal research at The University of Texas at Austin. Topics covered include:

• Contact information and organizational structure of the ARC and other relevant University departments
• University guidelines for humane animal care and use
• IACUC functions and procedures
• Animal-related risks
• Reporting procedure for animal care and use concerns

In addition, species-specific training is required if available for the species in use. If the species you work with is not listed, then you must complete the “Other Species Training Module (General Care and Use) (3199).”

A brief summary table outlining training requirements by species is available at: http://www.utexas.edu/research/rsc/iacuc/training_table.html

To access the AALAS Learning Library, please follow the information provided below. You must have an EID and password to log into the system through eProtocol IACUC at: https://jerry.orsc.utexas.edu/iacuc/

• Sign in using your UTEID and Password
• At the bottom right corner, under “Information Links”, click “AALAS Learning Library”
• At the top of the page, click on “Librariers” and then “Animal Care and Use Courses”
• Select the appropriate module and proceed by clicking the word “course” under the course outline.
• You must complete the course and exam to receive credit.
• We recommend pressing “Show All” and completing all of the practice questions for each course.

PLEASE NOTE: The eProtocol IACUC database is updated with completed course data multiple times per day. If you do not see your completed course in your eProtocol Training History by the day after you have taken the training, please contact the ARC Compliance and Training Manager at (512) 471-3909 or jencassaday@mail.utexas.edu.

How to check your training record

To check your own training record, please follow the information provided below. You must have an EID and password to log into eProtocol IACUC at: https://jerry.orsc.utexas.edu/iacuc/

In the lower left hand side of the main page, under the “Protocols” tab, click on “Training Record.” This will open a window that will display your completed training courses and expiration dates.

If you have any questions regarding the accuracy of this record please contact the ARC Compliance and Training Manager at (512) 471-3909 or jencassaday@mail.utexas.edu.