Training Classes

Researcher Orientation Classes

Before gaining access to CCM animal facilities, all new research staff must go through an orientation class. In order to register for classes, new staff must be in the process of being added to a protocol. Access will be granted once approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) office.

Classes include classroom presentations, facility tours and a hands-on euthanasia course. Orientation classes are held on both campuses every week.

Participants must contact the training office to schedule their training sessions. The schedule is as follows:

Chicago Campus

Weekly on Mondays at 1:30pm ~or~
Wednesdays at 9:00am

** Classes on the Chicago Campus last approximately 3 hours and alternate between Mondays and Wednesdays.**

Evanston Campus

Tuesdays at 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Fridays at 10:30am - 12:00pm

** Classes on the Evanston Campus are separated into a Facility Orientation and Euthanasia Course. Each class lasts approximately 1.5 hours. Each section is held every week and classes are swapped each week (i.e. Facility Orientation will be held Tuesday and the Euthanasia Course will be held on Friday and the following week the classes will switch). Participants must complete both sections before access will be granted**

Introduction to Surgery

Introduction to Surgery includes a classroom session followed by a wet lab. Topics covered include aseptic technique, gowning, gloving, and suturing. This class is offered on the 2nd Wednesday of the month from 1:00pm-4:00pm in our conference room on the 13th floor of the Searle Building.

DVMAX & Medical Records Training

Research staff working with large animal species are required to complete DVMAX and Medical Records training, facilitated by the CCM Veterinary Staff on the Chicago campus in our conference room on the 13th floor of the Searle Building.

DVMAX & Medical Records training sessions are held on the fourth Wednesday of every month, from 3:00pm-5:00pm

Evanston research staff are encouraged to attend one of the regularly scheduled classes held on the Chicago campus. For other arrangements, please contact Dr. Diana Berger (ph: 847-491-7950 or d-berger@northwestern.edu).

Other Training Classes

The Training Office offers a variety of other classes on an as-needed basis. If a topic you are interested in is not listed below, please contact the training office regarding the possibility of such a class. Many classes are tailored to the needs of the research staff.

Digital X-Ray Training- Available on the third Wednesday of each month from 3:00pm -4:00pm. See below for scheduling instructions
Containment Training
Quarantine Training
Rodent Inhalation Anesthesia
Ultrasound Training
Species-Specific Handling and Restraint
Experimental Techniques- tailored to specific requests from research staff (i.e. injections, blood withdrawal, gavage, etc.)
Euthanasia Training
Non-Human Primate Orientation- must be attended before access will be granted to non-human primate areas
Controlled Substance Training- must be attended in order to use, order, and pick up controlled substances
Irradiator Training- must be attended in conjunction with Irradiator training from the Office of Research Safety and before access will be granted

As an additional resource, four videos are available to view which illustrate proper use of the animal transfer/work station, the microisolator technique and ventilated cage changing: rodents.

Introduction
Operation of Animal Transfer/Work Station
Microisolator Technique
Ventilated Cage Changing: Rodents

Aseptic Technique Training Course

The Aseptic Technique Training Course was developed by the Animal Health and Care Section of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. It is available for viewing using Quicktime or Windows Media Player.

Scheduling Classes

Please contact Andrew Feeney in the CCM Training Office (ph: 312-503-2758) to schedule any of the above classes or to discuss training options for you and your lab.