Animal Technologist

Animal Technologist

On an animal technologist apprenticeship course, you’ll help carry out complex scientific procedures on laboratory animals.

An animal technologist is responsible for challenging scientific procedures on laboratory animals while complying with animal care regulations.

Animal technologists work for universities, pharmaceutical companies, contract research organisations, and biotechnology research and development firms.

Your organisation will select the nature of the task and the species used. For example, you may operate in particular sectors with just a few species, although others, such as universities, may be multispecies with a wide range of methodologies and research areas. This position requires a high degree of technical competence and awareness to ensure that operations are carried out correctly and precisely.

To practise effectively, you must comprehend science, animal anatomy and physiology, technical in-vivo scientific procedures such as aseptic methods, animal welfare standards, and animal husbandry.

What you’ll learn

On an animal technologist apprenticeship course, you’ll learn to:

  • Handle and evaluate the health of the species in their care demonstrate the technical/manual dexterity required to carry out the tasks.
  • Use appropriate ethical standards of care at all times.
  • Use excellent animal care and welfare practices, and advise others on best practices and the 3Rs.
  • Analyse and evaluate data, and identify discoveries that need further investigation, with assistance from senior colleagues as appropriate.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

  • Depending on the employer, but likely GCSEs or equivalent qualifications or relevant experience.
  • Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level before taking the end-point assessment.

Assessment methods

The End Point Assessment consists of two distinct assessment methods: 

  • Synoptic interview (informed by a portfolio of evidence developed by the apprentice)
  • Work-based scenario-based case study

Duration, level, subjects and potential salary upon completion

  • Duration: 24 months
  • Level: 3 – Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Relevant school subjects: Science
  • Potential salary upon completion: £20,000 per annum

Apprenticeship standard

More information about the Level 3 Animal Technologist Apprenticeship standard can be found here.

Apprenticeship end point assessment

For more information about the End Point Assessment Process, please read the Institute of Apprenticeships’ information page.

Updated on January 20, 2024

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