Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Additional Information
Certification
First Aid (March 2022)
Timeline
Generic
Meagan James

Meagan James

Rowville,VIC

Summary

Employed in the medical research field for over 24 years, providing support to biomedical research, with an excellent reputation for high animal welfare standards, exceptional animal handling/research techniques, being highly adaptable, and contributing to team success.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Technical Officer

Monash University
Clayton, Vic
04.2015 - Current
    • Performed animal procedures, collected/prepared blood and tissue collection for laboratory analysis
    • Administered medications/treatments to animals under experimentation and documented changes in condition.
    • Kept animal records in compliance with applicable guidelines and laws, and maintained real-time database consistent with complex colony management.
    • Learnt many new skills in microbiology and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
    • Worked flexible hours; nights, weekends and demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
    • Performed duties in accordance with applicable standards, policies and regulatory guidelines to promote safe working environment.
    • Worked closely with team members and communicated with management in demanding scientific environment.
    • Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.

Head of Room

Monash University
Clayton, VIC
04.2013 - 04.2015
  • High Barrier
  • Supervising/Training of Junior Technicians as well as guiding Material Support Staff when in High Barrier
  • Maintaining production and private researcher colonies (both inbred, outbred and genetically modified)
  • Maintaining animals health status through correct SPF procedures/barrier conditions
  • Increasing technicians animal welfare awareness and good scientific practice
  • Reviewing SOPS and Risk Assessments with other Senior staff
  • Maintaining accurate records for animals, OH&S and Bureau of Animal Welfare
  • Liaising with Researchers
  • Experienced in several lab animal databases
  • Excellent communication and written skills

SPF Supervisor

AQIS Quarantine Approved Premise Certified, The University of Melbourne
Parkville, VIC
02.2012 - 10.2012
  • Supervising 5 SPF staff members, supplying animals to a large Microbiology Department
  • Providing high standards of training to technicians
  • Colony maintenance/breeding of genetically modified animals in SPF Barrier (200+ strains)
  • Increasing technicians animal welfare awareness
  • Improving OH&S within entire facility
  • Involved in policy changes to increase staff satisfaction/facility management

Senior Animal Technician /Bioservices Shipping & Quarantine Officer

The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute
Parkville, Bundoora, VIC
02.1999 - 02.2012
  • Animals; Husbandry, Welfare monitoring and Technical Procedures (Eye/Mandible bleeds, IV/IP/SC injections, dissections/organ collection, embryo collection, embryo flushing/incubation, collecting genotyping samples, monitoring malaria/influenza infections)
  • Providing a high standard of technical training to scientific staff and technicians
  • Undertook numerous leadership and management courses provided
  • Keen interest in the welfare of staff as well as animals
  • Member of Bioservices Supervisory Panel, Bioservices SOP Development Panel
  • Extensive Quarantine Facility experience – Importing, Border Clearance (online and at airport), Decontamination, Housing and AQIS Release
  • Trained in Cytotoxic, Biological Hazards and Infectious Agents
  • Competent in the use of the in-house Database systems, AQIS and Customs web-based systems
  • Competent use of both PC and Mac systems
  • AQIS Live Animal Import Permit Applications
  • AQIS Quarantine Approved Premise Certified (til 2016)
  • Developed and implemented current WEHI importing procedures
  • Excellent working relationships with AQIS and Border Protection
  • Live Animal Imaging
  • Responsible for training internal and external scientific staff in animal anaesthesia, substrate injections and imaging in machine worth ($500K+)
  • Decontamination Advisor – internal/external users

Education

Diploma of Applied Science - Animal Technology

Victoria University
Melbourne
12.1999

Skills

  • Specimen Collection
  • Medication Administration
  • Animal Euthanasia
  • Clinical Symptom Monitoring
  • Quarantine specialist
  • Proper Animal Restraint
  • Equipment Preparation
  • Venipuncture and Phlebotomy
  • Fecal, Urine and Blood Testing
  • First Aid

Accomplishments

  • Collaborated with team in the development of potential pharmaceutical treatments.
  • Helped create a new GMO mouse strain through effectively communicating with external suppliers
  • Started taking on more responsibility within the lab, learning microbiological techniques and ordering supplies

Additional Information

  • Mother of 2 boys
  • Breeding/showing purebred Beagles
  • Live events

Certification

Certified Animal Technician

Certified First Aider

Compliant with all Monash training requirements

Departmental gas cylinder trainer (Practical training)


First Aid (March 2022)

Recently completed "Provide First Aid" for the Microbiology Dept to become a certified First Aider for Level 1, Building 76

Timeline

Technical Officer

Monash University
04.2015 - Current

Head of Room

Monash University
04.2013 - 04.2015

SPF Supervisor

AQIS Quarantine Approved Premise Certified, The University of Melbourne
02.2012 - 10.2012

Senior Animal Technician /Bioservices Shipping & Quarantine Officer

The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute
02.1999 - 02.2012

Diploma of Applied Science - Animal Technology

Victoria University

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Meagan James