Who is responsible for ensuring that personnel working with live animals are properly trained?

The IACUC, or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, plays a pivotal role in ensuring that personnel who work with live animals possess the necessary training and qualifications. This committee is responsible for the oversight of animal care and use, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, institutional policies, and ethical standards.

One of the key functions of the IACUC is to review training programs and protocols related to animal care. This includes evaluating whether researchers and staff have received adequate training in areas such as animal handling, welfare, and the specific procedures they will be conducting. The IACUC assesses the training needs as part of the protocol review process, and it has the authority to mandate additional training if necessary, thus ensuring that all personnel are equipped to work safely and humanely with animals.

In this context, while the attending veterinarian, institutional official, and management may have roles in supporting or facilitating training, it is the IACUC that holds the primary responsibility for oversight and ensuring that appropriate training programs are in place and that personnel meet the required competencies. This focus on training helps to promote high standards of animal welfare and compliance with legal and ethical guidelines in research involving animals.