Confirming Animal Orders: A Guide for Assistant Laboratory Animal Technicians

What two documents should a technician compare to confirm that the animals received are the ones ordered?

• A. Shipping invoices and health certificates
• B. Inspection reports and purchase orders
• C. Shipping invoices and purchase orders
• D. Cage cards and shipping invoices

Answer: (C)

To verify that the animals received match what was ordered, it is essential to compare shipping invoices and purchase orders. The shipping invoice provides detailed information about the animals that were shipped, including species, strain, quantity, and any relevant identifiers. The purchase order, on the other hand, is the document that specifies exactly what was requested and confirms the details of the order. By cross-referencing these two documents, a technician can ensure that the correct animals have been delivered as per the specific order made by the facility. This process is critical in maintaining the integrity of the research and ensuring that the right animals are used for study purposes. Other documents, while potentially useful in a broader context, do not provide the same level of assurance concerning the specific identity of the animals received. Hence, focusing on shipping invoices and purchase orders is the most effective method for confirming that the researchers get precisely what they intended to order.

When preparing for the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician role, one of the tasks you might encounter is confirming that the animals received are the ones ordered. But how do you ensure that what arrives is exactly what was asked for? You might wonder, what two documents should you really compare? Well, you’re looking at shipping invoices and purchase orders. Let’s break this down a bit, shall we?