Researcher Requirements

All University of Richmond faculty, staff, and students who are engaged in research with vertebrate animals (“animal workers”) must complete training on the protection of animals and complete an evaluation of their health information.

Training

University of Richmond animal workers must satisfy training requirements by completing course modules (free of charge) through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) program.

All animal workers must complete the “Biomedical Responsible Conduct of Research Course” and “Working with the IACUC”. In addition to the required modules, you may need to complete additional modules based on the species studied.

  • Personnel working with fish are required to complete “Working with Fish in Research Settings” and “Introduction to Biosafety.”
  • Personnel working with rats are required to complete “Conflicts of Interest” and “Working with Rats in Research Settings.”
  • Personnel working with salamanders are required to complete “Working with Amphibians in Research Settings.”
  • Personnel conducting field projects may be required to complete “Wildlife Research.”


Please send an email to the Animal Care Specialist (ACS) and the IACUC chair if you have questions about the modules you are required to take. You may also take any modules of interest from the CITI program free of charge.

When you have completed CITI modules, send the Completion Certificates to the ACS. These will be stored on Box in the IACUC folder.

Health Evaluation

All personnel involved in the handling and care of animals covered by University of Richmond’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee policies must have their health status evaluated by a health care professional and be cleared to work with animals prior to beginning the work. The University of Richmond works with CareNow (part of Health Care American) to evaluate health information from each prospective animal worker. 

Each person must complete the Animal Worker Health Questionnaire process:

  1. The Principal Investigator downloads and fills out Part I of the Animal Worker Health Questionnaire for each person, listing the animals involved and describing the work, potential risks, and how they are mitigated.
  2. Questionnaire forms are sent to the Animal Care Specialist (ACS) with the names and contact information for each person. The ACS can answer questions about completing the forms and is the liaison with CareNow. The ACS then sends the Health Questionnaire and CareNow Authorization to each of the prospective animal care workers.
  3. Prospective animal workers complete the “Patient Info” portion of the Authorization Form (and ONLY this section). For the Health Questionnaire, workers sign the Privacy form and fill out Part II about their health.
  4. The worker then sends the forms directly to Vivian Buenafe at CareNow/HCA America for evaluation. The practitioner informs the worker and the ACS if the person is cleared for work with no precautions or accommodations, cleared with certain restrictions or accommodations required, or if more information is needed to make a determination.
  5. Health clearances are then uploaded and stored on Box in the IACUC folder. If the worker is listed on an ACUF, the PI is informed that they may begin the work.