Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

Which of the following is a common duty performed by ALATs in their daily responsibilities?

1. Training new animal care staff

2. Administering anesthesia

3. Maintaining accurate records

4. Developing breeding programs

The correct answer is: Maintaining accurate records

Maintaining accurate records is an essential duty performed by Assistant Laboratory Animal Technicians (ALATs) in their daily responsibilities. Accurate record-keeping is crucial in research environments to ensure the health and welfare of the animals, as well as to comply with regulatory requirements and institutional policies. These records may include details about animal care, feeding schedules, treatment logs, and health status monitoring. Maintaining precise documentation helps facilitate effective communication among team members and ensures that researchers have reliable data for their studies. The other responsibilities mentioned, such as training new staff, administering anesthesia, and developing breeding programs, typically fall outside the scope of an ALAT’s duties. While ALATs may contribute to training or be involved in aspects of animal management, these tasks are usually the responsibility of more senior staff, such as Laboratory Animal Technicians or veterinarians, who possess the necessary expertise and certifications for more advanced procedures.