ALAT Role and Responsibilities 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When an ALAT notices that a supervisor's verbal instruction conflicts with the written SOP, what is the correct course of action?
- Follow the verbal instruction since the supervisor has authority
- Follow the SOP and report the discrepancy to the supervisor (Correct answer)
- Ignore both and use personal judgment
- Stop all work until a written amendment is issued
Correct answer: Follow the SOP and report the discrepancy to the supervisor
SOPs are the established standard; discrepancies should be flagged to the supervisor rather than silently resolved by the technician.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes the ALAT's role in the animal research team hierarchy?
- Independent decision-maker for all animal care protocols
- Entry-level technician who carries out assigned tasks under supervision (Correct answer)
- Oversight authority for the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
- Primary author of animal use protocols submitted for approval
Correct answer: Entry-level technician who carries out assigned tasks under supervision
The ALAT is an entry-level position that executes assigned care tasks under the guidance of higher-credentialed personnel.
Question 3: An ALAT is asked to perform a procedure not covered in their training. What should they do?
- Attempt the procedure using general knowledge
- Refuse outright and document the refusal
- Notify their supervisor and request training before proceeding (Correct answer)
- Ask a coworker of the same credential level to demonstrate once
Correct answer: Notify their supervisor and request training before proceeding
Performing untrained procedures risks animal welfare and personal safety; the correct step is to request proper training through the supervisor.
Question 4: Why is accurate record-keeping considered a core responsibility of the ALAT?
- It allows the ALAT to bill for services rendered
- It satisfies federal regulatory requirements and ensures research data integrity (Correct answer)
- It replaces the need for IACUC oversight
- It is optional unless specifically requested by the PI
Correct answer: It satisfies federal regulatory requirements and ensures research data integrity
Federal agencies such as USDA and NIH require complete, accurate animal records, and those records underpin the validity of scientific findings.
Question 5: An ALAT observes a colleague improperly restraining an animal. The most appropriate immediate response is to:
- Document the incident and report it at the next monthly meeting
- Intervene calmly and correctly demonstrate proper restraint technique, then report to a supervisor (Correct answer)
- Ignore it since it is not the ALAT's responsibility to correct peers
- Report directly to the IACUC without speaking to the colleague first
Correct answer: Intervene calmly and correctly demonstrate proper restraint technique, then report to a supervisor
Immediate, respectful correction protects the animal, followed by reporting ensures systemic follow-up.
Question 6: Which federal law most directly governs the standards of care that ALATs must follow for regulated species in a research facility?
- Endangered Species Act (ESA)
- Animal Welfare Act (AWA) (Correct answer)
- Clean Water Act (CWA)
- Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
Correct answer: Animal Welfare Act (AWA)
The Animal Welfare Act sets minimum standards for housing, handling, and care of regulated research animals in the United States.
Question 7: Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) are relevant to the ALAT's role primarily because:
- The ALAT submits protocols directly to the IACUC for approval
- The ALAT must follow IACUC-approved protocols and may report welfare concerns to the committee (Correct answer)
- The IACUC credentials and certifies ALATs nationally
- The ALAT chairs IACUC meetings when no veterinarian is available
Correct answer: The ALAT must follow IACUC-approved protocols and may report welfare concerns to the committee
ALATs work within IACUC-approved procedures and have a responsibility to report animal welfare concerns through appropriate channels, which may include the IACUC.
ALAT Role and Responsibilities 4
When an ALAT notices that a supervisor's verbal instruction conflicts with the written SOP, what is the correct course of action?