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IACUC
Training
As
of September 1, 2005, the IACUC has adopted a new procedure for
Principal Investigators and research staff to complete the annual
training required by the Animal Welfare Act and the Public Health
Service Policy.
The IACUC requires that all personnel, including the Principal Investigator, involved in a research project submit evidence of training in the humane and scientifically acceptable use of animals. Section X of the protocol form requests the most recent date of completion of IACUC-approved training. This training is accomplished using the online training provided by American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) Learning Library. The IACUC has contracted with the AALAS to provide appropriate online training modules for all individuals who work with animals. All individuals whose names appear on a protocol must complete the module entitled “Working with the IACUC” and any species-specific modules relevant to their laboratory activities. The IACUC Coordinator has access to an executive module to verify that individuals have completed the required training. Each of the required training modules must be taken on an annual basis.
The IACUC does not approve protocols until all individuals have satisfactorily completed the required training. Upon successful completion of a training module, a certificate is created for the individual and the IACUC examines copies of these certificates during its semi-annual inspections of investigators’ laboratories.
In addition, IACUC office receives notification from the Employee Health Office that the Animal Handler Health Questionnaire (AHHQ) has been approved. That approval is kept on file in the IACUC office for all individuals involved in the project.
In October 2008, an electronic version of the AHHQ was developed. Since that time, investigators and laboratory personnel complete this form and submit it electronically to the OUHSC Employee Health Office to ensure that the individual does not have any health issues that would compromise his/her ability to work with animals and for respiratory protection clearance, if applicable. After review, the Employee Health Office notifies the IACUC office by email that the individual is/is not cleared for working with animals. This process was instituted in order to comply with current HIPAA regulations.
In order to ensure that students working in the various laboratories are aware of the pertinent animal care issues, the IACUC chair makes a special presentation to the incoming graduate students before they begin their laboratory rotations during the spring semester of their first year. Other presentations are made at the beginning of the summer to high school and undergraduate students who will be working in the laboratories of the Health Sciences Center. In all cases, the Principal Investigators are required to provide to the IACUC office the names of all students working in their laboratories. Please review the Training program @ Training Program.
A
link to the instructions for using this training is provided below
and includes a link to the training website:
AALAS Training Registration and Use Instructions
The
direct link to the training website is:
http://aalaslearninglibrary.org/
Please
call Marlin Rose at 271-7381 if you
have any questions.
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