Training for research staff, iacuc members & cmu staff

NEOMED’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approved the use of a training program for all personnel engaged in animal based research and training activities at NEOMED, as well as all IACUC members. Training for all research staff is handled through CITI (Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative).  The AALAS Learning Library (ALL) will also be used if specific training is not available in CITI.

All addition of personnel must:

1. Be added to eProtocol via a New Protocol application or Amendment
2. Complete all required CITI training
3. Complete a facility tour
4. Complete all occupational health and safety requirements

Protocols

All investigators and members of their research team must complete the IACUC-required CITI modules. The courses must populate within the Personnel Information section located within e-Protocol. The IACUC cannot approve the new protocol or any protocol Amendments until all individuals have completed the required CITI training modules.

Investigators will need to submit an Amendment to add a new research personnel to their protocols.  These individuals must complete all IACUC-required CITI training modules.  The IACUC cannot approve the Amendment until the individual completes all required training modules.

If an individual has previously completed any or all of the required CITI modules, the IACUC will accept a copy of the Completion Report for each required module. Individuals must update their CITI profile and affiliate with NEOMED (Northeast Ohio Medical University) in order for their CITI training to populate within e-Protocol.

Training Through CITI

Visit the CITI website

Individuals will need to create their own account within CITI and are encouraged to write down their login and password and keep in a secure location once their CITI account is created. Because CITI is web-based, individuals can access and complete their training from anywhere. The best part of CITI is that this is a nationally recognized training program and individuals can take their training with them. Please download and keep a copy of the instructions for future training needs.

CITI Modules

There will be multiple Modules to complete depending upon an individual’s NEOMED role and the type(s) of species and/or techniques used on the protocol. Within each Module, there are multiple courses to complete. Each course has an associated quiz. Individuals must pass all of the quizzes with an aggregate score of 80% in order to successfully complete the Module. The quizzes may be repeated as often as necessary in order to achieve a passing score.

Please note if investigators include a new species or add new techniques to their protocol, they will be required to complete the species-specific or technique-specific Modules prior to IACUC approval. This training will need to be reflected on the Amendment Request and/or on the Annual Review.

Training within CITI is good for three years, after which time individuals will be required to complete a refresher course. Individuals will receive written notification from CITI when their current training has expired and when retraining needs to be completed.

In order for your CITI training information to sync with eProtocols, please update your CITI profile using the following instructions.  Once updated, syncing with eProtocols could take up to 24 hours.

Updating your CITI Profile 

Feel free to contact the NEOMED Regulatory Affairs Coordinator with any questions or concerns regarding the CITI training program, if assistance is needed in registering with CITI, or if guidance is needed as to what course(s) should be completed.

Required CITI Modules

Based upon your NEOMED position

Faculty Members, Research Technicians, Postdoctoral Fellows, Graduate Students, Medicine Students & Volunteers

Titles of Required Module(s) to be Completed:

IACUC Members

FACILITY TOUR:

In order to work with animals and to gain facility access, you will need to complete a facility tour.  Please contact John Gape to schedule a mutually agreeable time for a facility tour.  Please e-mail John at jgape@neomed.edu . She may also be reached by phone at X-6556 or at 330.325.6556.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH:

In order to work with animals and to gain facility access, you will need to complete all occupational health and safety requirements.  Please submit a training checklist to the Safety Office.  The checklist will determine necessary safety training and the type of occupational health nurse visit that will be required.  To be approved on the protocol, all personnel on the protocol must be up to date on Success Center safety training, and occupational health visits, this includes submitting an animal allergy form every 3-years.  Please contact Jesse Zampedro in the EOHS Office with any questions.  He can be reached either by phone at X-6496 or at 330.325.6496 or by e-mail at jzampedro@neomed.edu.

FORMS AND LINKS:

• eProtocol
• CITI Program
• Training Checklist
• Research Animal Worker Re-Assessment Form (Animal Allergies)
• Hosting High School Students for Educational Experiences