ALAT Role and Responsibilities 2

Question 1

What does the AALAS ALAT certification demonstrate?

Accepted Answer

Competency in basic laboratory animal care and regulatory knowledge at entry level

Answer

Authorization to perform surgery

Answer

Qualification as attending veterinarian

Answer

Eligibility to chair an IACUC

Question 2

What is the primary daily responsibility of an ALAT?

Accepted Answer

Providing daily animal care including feeding, watering, health observations, sanitation, and environmental monitoring

Answer

Writing IACUC protocols

Answer

Performing surgical procedures

Answer

Managing the facility budget

Question 3

Why is accurate record-keeping essential for ALATs?

Accepted Answer

Records document care quality, support compliance, enable veterinary decisions, and protect data integrity

Answer

Only to satisfy inspectors during visits

Answer

Records are optional

Answer

Only to track supply costs

Question 4

What should an ALAT do when discovering a dead animal during morning rounds?

Accepted Answer

Document the finding, notify supervisor and vet staff, preserve carcass as directed, check cage mates

Answer

Dispose and move on without documentation

Answer

Wait for the researcher to notice

Answer

Report only if asked

Question 5

How does the ALAT contribute to institutional compliance?

Accepted Answer

Through daily implementation of care standards, accurate documentation, reporting concerns, and following protocols

Answer

ALATs have no compliance role

Answer

Only by attending compliance meetings

Answer

By independently modifying regulations

Question 6

What is the importance of continuing education for ALATs?

Accepted Answer

Maintains competency, advances career, improves welfare, and keeps current with evolving standards

Answer

No importance — initial certification suffices for entire career

Answer

Only important for management

Answer

Only recommended, never required