Education Requirements

All PIs and research personnel working with animals must complete required training, and disclose financial conflicts of interests prior to beginning any animal research-related activities. Trainings will be verified prior to iRIS access being granted. In addition, initial approval of IACUC submissions will be withheld until all research personnel have been verified as having completed/updated training and financial disclosure reports on file.

 

Required Training

Working with the IACUC Course

All PIs and research personnel are required to complete training if planning on using lab animals.
Course can be found at http://www.citiprogram.org/

Reducing Pain and Distress in Laboratory Mice and Rats Course

All PIs and research personnel must complete training if the conducted studies have the potential to cause “more than momentary pain and distress.” Course can be found at http://www.citiprogram.org/

Working with (Specie) in Research Settings Course: (Specie will vary, i.e. mice, rats, ferrets, fish)

All PIs and research personnel must complete specie specific training according to specie listed on protocol. Course can be found at http://www.citiprogram.org/

Conflict of Interest Course

Training regarding financial conflicts of interest in research is required of all investigators and research personnel and applies to all research, regardless of funding source. Training must be completed every 4 years. New projects may not be submitted or approved without up to date training for all research personnel. Additionally, approval of annual status reports and/or three year renewals may be denied if training of any research personnel has lapsed. The training is available through the University of Miami at www.citiprogram.org and instructions are available below.

In addition, renewal training is required at least once every 4 years and the training is identical to the initial CITI course. Course can be found at http://www.citiprogram.org/

Financial Disclosure

TTUHSC EP OP 73.09 requires that Investigators and research personnel update their Financial Disclosure forms on at least an annual basis, or within 30 days of a change in significant financial interests. The disclosure form is available via the COI module of iRIS and must be submitted immediately after being granted access. Guides to submit a disclosure form are available here.

Occupational Health Safety (OHS)

All PI’s and personnel must visit the OHS Nurse for evaluation of the completed Health Questionnaire, and before working with animals.  The questionnaire is available under the Operating Procedures in iRIS, and may be requested through the IACUC Coordinator.

 

Additional Training-As Applicable

Antibody Production in Animals

All PIs and research personnel must complete this training if working with antibodies.
Course can be found at http://www.citiprogram.org/

Aseptic Surgery

All PIs and research personnel are required to complete this training if preforming surgery.
Course can be found at http://www.citiprogram.org/

 

CITI Instructions

Registration

To begin the on-line course, go the CITI website at www.citiprogram.org and select "Register.” Next, enter “Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso” as your organization affiliation. Continue through the multiple step process to establish your Username and Password. You do not need an Eraider account to complete the training. TTUHSC El Paso personnel must use their TTUHSC El Paso email address for registration. You may include a secondary email as well. On the CITI registration page you will need to select the required modules indicated above. You will then have access to the required modules. More information on CITI Training can be found at the CITI Program Support Center.

CITI Course Completion

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be able to download a course transcript and print a certificate. Please keep for your records. TTUHSC EP is also notified of your successful completion of the course, but we are not provided with a copy of it. You will be required to achieve an overall score of at least 80% to successfully complete the course. You can also log back in at any time to print your completion report by clicking on “View previously completed coursework.”

CITI Accounts Previously Affiliated with Lubbock

All TTUHSC El Paso research personnel must affiliate their CITI account with the El Paso campus. Go to the CITI website at www.citiprogram.org and from the main menu, select “Click here to affiliate with another institution.” Select Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center-El Paso as your institution. Proceed with completing required courses.

 

Checklist

In order to request an iRIS user account, the following must first be completed/submitted:

  1. Working with the IACUC at www.citiprogram.org
  2. Reducing Pain and Distress in Laboratory Mice and Rats at www.citiprogram.org
  3. Working with ______ (Choose appropriate specie) at www.citiprogram.org
  4. Conflict of Interest (COI) Course at www.citiprogram.org
  5. Additional training, as applicable.
  6. iRIS user account is requested at https://ttuep.imedris.net. 

Please make sure to submit current contact information. If you are requesting an account as a non-TTUHSC EP employee, please provide information regarding your current status i.e. research volunteer, non-Tech employee, non-salaried clinical faculty, etc., and provide documentation that verifies this information.

For questions related to specific training and/or requirements, please contact Amanda Ortiz at amanda.ortiz@ttuhsc.edu