B06 - Challenges and Strategies for Adequate Staffing in Animal Care and Use Programs

The pandemic has created staffing challenges in multiple industries, and the animal care and use program is not exempt. Staffing shortages within the program has led to increased burnout of existing staff due to having to wear multiple hats, supervisory and professional staff performing technician tasks, and fewer CROs available to assist with laboratory work. Staffing shortages also create risk for the program regarding noncompliance, perceived adverse animal welfare by outside groups, and conflicts of interest. With no relief in sight, how do animal care and use programs monitor staffing levels, if at all? How does leadership determine which animal support tasks are more critical than others in the face of staffing shortfalls, if such an exercise is deemed necessary? How do we take care of existing staff? What is the role of education and cross training within programs to assist with promotion and growth? How do programs consider individuals from non-traditional backgrounds as potential candidates for roles? These and other related topics will be discussed.