Training Requirements for Animal Users
UNMC and UNO are required by Federal Regulations to provide training for all personnel involved in the use and/or care of live vertebrate animals in research, testing and teaching.
Specifically, the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (amended September 1986) in response to the amended Animal Welfare Act (Health Research Extension Act of 1985, Public Law 99-158) requires the institution to ensure that "training or instruction is available in the humane practice of animal care and use, as well as training or instruction in research and testing methods that minimize the number of animals required to obtain valid results and minimize animal distress."
USDA Regulations [9 CFR 2:32 Federal Register 54 (168) Thursday, August 31, 1989] require the institution to make available training in
- Humane methods of animal maintenance and experimentation, including:
- The basic needs of each species of animal;
- Proper handling and care for the various species of animals used by the facility;
- Proper pre-procedural and post-procedural care of animals; and
- Aseptic surgical methods and procedures;
- The concept, availability, and use of research or testing methods that limit the use of animals or minimize animal distress;
- Proper use of anesthetics, analgesics, and tranquilizers for any species of animals used by the facility;
- Methods whereby deficiencies in animal care and treatment are reported, including deficiencies in animal care and treatment reported by any employee of the facility.
- Utilization of services (e.g., National Agricultural Library, National Library of Medicine) available to provide information:
- on appropriate methods of animal care and use;
- on alternatives to the use of live animals in research;
- that could prevent unintended and unnecessary duplication of research involving animals; and
- regarding the intent and requirements of the Act.
In order to comply with the aforementioned Federal requirements, a training program has been established which consists of the IACUC Basics Training, Comparative Medicine has additional training requirements.
Follow the directions below to access this training.
TO ENROLL IN THE AALAS LEARNING LIBRARY FOR UNMC/UNO TO TAKE THE COURSE AND EXAM:
- Go to AALAS Learning Library
- Click "Enroll Now!" This link is in the center of the page, to the right of the login fields.
- Select the option "Enroll as an individual in a group, using an ACCESS CODE"and hit the CONTINUE button.
- Enter the following Access Code: UNMC/UNO
- Choose a username and password
- Enter your contact information
- Upon completion of that, please send an email to IACUCORA@UNMC.EDU providing your name, the name of the Primary Investigator you will be working with and indicating that you have completed enrollment for IACUC training at the AALAS Learning Library.
- The AALAS Learning Library Group Coordinator will then review your request for an account before granting you access to courses. When your Group Coordinator approves your request for access, you will receive an email notifying you that you may now access the AALAS Learning Library.
- Go to AALAS Learning Library
- Log in using the user name and password you created. If you ever forget your password do not create a new one - contact IACUCORA@UNMC.EDU.
- Click on the tab across the top titled, "Libraries"
- Choose Animal Care and Use Courses
- Choose University of Nebraska Medical Center track
- Click on "University of Nebraska Medical Center"
- Choose "Working with the UNMC/UNO IACUC 2012"
- At the very bottom of the list of courses, choose "course" to view the courses.
- When you have viewed all of the courses, you can then choose "exam" to take the exam
A passing score is required. Upon completion of a passing exam, please send an email to IACUCORA@UNMC.EDU providing your name and indicating that you have passed the exam for "Working with the UNMC IACUC".
Other requirements that will need to be completed before working with/handling animals:
- Complete the Occupational Health and Safety course offered by Comparative Medicine. For assistance please visit the Comparative Medicine website or contact them at (402) 559-4034.
- Have the Principle Investigator submit a Request for Change to add you to their protocol(s). Once all the training is completed and the change is approved, work with animals can begin.
