IACUC Mandatory Training

Georgia Institute of Technology is required by federal regulations to provide training for all personnel involved in the use and/or care of vertebrate animals in research, testing and teaching. PHS Policy and USDA regulations require that training be made available in the following areas:

• 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 each animal used by the facility and proper pre-procedural and post-procedural care of animals.
• Research and testing methods that minimize the number of animals required to obtain valid results and 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.

A. Required Training for All Research Personnel Named on Animal Protocols

Everyone named on the protocol—including students, lab techs, and visiting scholars—is required to complete the online CITI training course, “Working with the IACUC” and the other CITI training modules appropriate for the planned work. For example, if the protocol proposes the use of mice or rats, all named personnel must complete “Post-Procedure Care of Mice and Rats in Research: Reducing Pain and Distress”and“Working with Mice (or Rats) in Research Settings.” CITI training completion is verified by the Compliance Officer for all personnel proposing to work with animals, at the time of protocol application, continuing review, and when new personnel, including students, are added to the protocol.

In addition, Principal Investigators are responsible for providing adequate and appropriate training to team members (students, co-PIs, lab techs). Training is also provided in animal handling, manipulation, and techniques by the animal facility manager and the Attending Veterinarian.

1. Training for Non-Georgia Tech Personnel Visiting Scholars, affiliates and others not employed by or enrolled at Georgia Tech, but participating in animal projects in Georgia Tech facilities, must also complete the required CITI training modules. In cases where activities are funded to/through Georgia Tech, but performed in a non-Georgia Tech host institution, all named personnel, including non-Georgia Tech personnel employed at/enrolled at the host institution, must either complete the CITI modules or present documentation of having completed CITI training through their home institution.
2. Exception to Training Requirement Occasionally, a large Program or Center grant to a single Principal Investigator will fund multiple faculty members’ activities. In many, if not all of these cases, the Program/Center grant PI is not a member of the research team on animal protocols that the grant funds. In these situations, the requirement to complete CITI training is waived for the Program/Center grant PI if he/she has absolutely no involvement in the animal work.

Those who completed the LATA training modules through Georgia Tech prior to August 27, 2008 are not asked to complete CITI modules at this time. The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee may impose that requirement at some future date.