1. Service Units
  2. Research Integrity & Compliance
  3. Animal Research
  4. Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
  5. IACUC Approved Policies
  6. Training New IACUC Members
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Training New IACUC Members

Purpose

The Animal Welfare Act, Animal Welfare Regulations, and PHS Policy require institutions to provide training for all personnel appointed to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at an institution. The UCHC IACUC is charged with ensuring that all personnel who are appointed to the IACUC are adequately trained.

Action

1. All new individuals who are being considered for an appointment to the IACUC will meet with the IACUC Chair, coordinator, and the Institutional Official. This meeting will cover topics including, but not limited to, the following: the function of the IACUC, logistical aspects of appointment (meeting dates, times, location, etc.), and the responsibilities of the member related to the committee position they will hold (e.g., scientific member, community member, etc.).

2. If the individual agrees to an oral invitation to the committee by the Institutional Official, an appointment letter will be sent to them by the Executive Vice President for Health Affairs.

3. Once the individual is appointed, they will meet with the IACUC coordinator. In this discussion, the new committee member will be introduced to the federal and state laws and regulations which govern the use of laboratory animals as well as institutional policies and procedures.

4. The new committee member will be given a copy of the following:

  • The IACUC Committee Member Handbook
  • The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
  • Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (This document includes the Health Research Extension Act of 1985 and the U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training.)
  • Animal Care (USDA) Policies
  • AVMA Panel on Euthanasia Guidelines
  • Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Guidebook

5. The new committee member will be required to complete two training modules through CITI Training. These include “Working with the IACUC” and “Essentials for IACUC Members”. The new committee member will be required to pass the examinations associated with these training modules.

6. The new committee member will be trained on how to access InfoEd and access the IACUC shared folder, if required, by the IACUC coordinator.

7. The IACUC office will be responsible for documenting all training activities of IACUC members here at the Health Center.

8. Any exemptions to the training requirements require the written consent of the IACUC Chair.

Effective Dates:  June 6, 2024 thru June 30, 2027