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Required IBC Training

Training is mandatory for all faculty, staff, and students who handle biohazardous agents, including recombinant and/or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, listed on a protocol for Virginia Tech IBC review and approval.

The specific training that you will need to complete is dependent on the agents that you handle and procedures that you perform. Below is a list of the training required by the IBC, including a description of when the training is required and links to complete the training.

 

Required for ALL IBC Protocols

Safe Autoclave Use and Verification: All personnel listed on an IBC protocol, including Principal Investigators and Instructors, are required to complete this on-line course.

To complete the training:

  1. Register using the following link: http://www.ehss.vt.edu/train.php.
  2. Go to “Biological Safety” and select “Register” for “Safe Autoclave Use and Verification”.
  3. Follow the online instructions to complete the training and quiz. A minimum score of 80% is required to pass the quiz.
  4. When prompted, you will need to click the link to post your grade for the completion to be registered.

 

Biosafety for Research Labs: All personnel listed on an IBC protocol, including Principal Investigators and Instructors, are required to complete this on-line course. Additional information: This training must be completed every 3 years.  If you will be handling materials that are human and/or non-human primate origin, you will be able to complete your BBP training in this module.

To complete the training:

  1. Register using the following link http://www.ehss.vt.edu/train.php.
  2. Go to “Biological Safety” and select “Register” for “Biosafety for Research Labs.”
  3. To obtain credit for completing BBP training: you must check “Yes” when asked if your work involves the use of human or non-human primate materials.
  4. For this training, please do not use Google Chrome.  Firefox, Safari, and IE will launch the module correctly.
  5. You will receive a message from the EHS Training Registration System with a confirmation of your registration and a link to the training site.
  6. You do not need to complete the entire training at one time. You can stop and go back to the module you are reviewing.
  7. After completing the quiz, when prompted you will need to click the link to post your grade for the completion to be registered.

 

Protocol-Specific Required Training and Surveys

Overview of the NIH Guidelines and Virginia Tech IBC: This training is required if you are handling recombinant and/or synthetic nucleic acids, or if you are a PI/Instructor on a protocol involving the use of these agents. Additional Information: This training must be completed every 3 years.

To complete the training:

  1. Review the training slides.: Download the training slides. You will need MS PowerPoint to view the slides.
  2. Complete the quiz at https://secure.research.vt.edu/orc_cert?cert=ibc_training. You must receive a minimum score of 80% to pass.

 

Introduction to Biological Safety Cabinets (BSC): This training is required if you are using a BSC, or if you are a PI/Instructor on a protocol involving the use of a BSC, to learn about the proper use and maintenance of biological safety cabinets.

To complete the training:

  1. Register using the following link: http://www.ehss.vt.edu/train.php.
  2. Go to “Biological Safety” and select “Register” for “Introduction to Biological Safety Cabinets.”
  3. Follow the online instructions to complete the training and quiz. A minimum score of 80% is required to pass the quiz.
  4. After completing the quiz, when prompted you will need to click the link to post your grade for the completion to be registered.

 

Medical Survey Questionnaire: This survey is required if you are working in a BSL-2 and/or BSL-3 lab, handle biological agents identified as inhalation hazards and/or work with recombinant/synthetic nucleic acids, or if you are a PI/Instructor on a protocol involving the use of these agents/containment levels. The survey helps occupational health identify hazards that may indicate the need for additional training, medical services, or use of PPE.

Additional Information: This survey must be updated annually, and if your use of biohazardous agents changes.  This survey is the same as the survey completed for an IACUC protocol, titled "EHSS Health Survey".

NOTE: The IBCP staff and the IBC are only able to confirm that you have completed your survey annually.  For questions related to the survey itself and/or your responses, please contact the Virginia Tech Industrial Hygienist.  

To complete the survey:

  1. Use the following link to log in and complete the questionnaire: https://secure.hosting.vt.edu/www.ehss.vt.edu/med_survey/.

 

Annual Blood-Borne Pathogen (BBP): This training is required if you are handling human or non-human primate cell lines, blood, tissue, body fluids, as well as other potentially infectious material (OPIM) of human origin, or if you are a PI/Instructor on a protocol involving the use of these agents.  

Additional Information: This training must be completed annually.

Note: The in-person class is no longer available for research labs; you will need to complete the training online.  Each year you will need to register for the “Biosafety for Research Labs” (BSRL) course.  If your Biosafety training has not expired, when you launch the course the system will automatically take you to an annual refresher course. You will not be retaking the entire BSRL course each year.

To complete the training:

  1. Register for the training using the following link: http://www.ehss.vt.edu/train.php.
  2. Go to “Biological Safety” and select “Register” for “Biosafety for Research Labs.”
  3. You will receive a message from the EHS Training Registration System with a confirmation of your registration and a link to the training site.
  4. If you did not complete the BSRL with BBP last year, you will need to check “yes” when asked if you handle human or NHP material, and you will need to take the entire BSRL course.

 

Respiratory Protection: This training is required if you are handling biological agents or procedures identified as inhalation hazards, or if you are a PI/Instructor on a protocol involving the use of these agents/procedures.

Additional Information: This training must be completed annually.

To complete the training:

  1. Register for the training using the following link: http://www.ehss.vt.edu/train.php.
  2. Go to “Respiratory Protection” and select “Register” for “Respiratory Protection Training.”
  3. Follow the online instructions to complete the training and quiz. A minimum score of 80% is required to pass the quiz.
  4. Update your medical surveillance survey (https://secure.hosting.vt.edu/www.ehss.vt.edu/med_survey/) to include the respirator requirement.
  5. After completing the quiz and updating your medical surveillance survey, you will be contacted by Occupational Health to schedule your medical services, including the PFT and fit-tests, as needed.  Completion of medical services is needed to complete the IBC training requirement.

 

Biohazard Awareness Training: All lab spaces (including shared lab rooms) that are shared by 2 or more PIs, who are not co-investigators on (an) approved IBC protocol(s), must include a “Biohazards Awareness” session for all personnel working in the space. The training must be presented by each PI, outlining the agents and risks associated with the agents used for their specific research. 

Use the “biohazard awareness training guide” to prepare the topics that should be discussed by each PI. Contact one of the Biosafety Officers if you would like assistance in preparing the training session. All attendees at the training session(s) must sign the sign-in sheet located on the last page of the training guide.  Upload the completed the sign-in sheet into Section 4 of your IBC Protocol using IBC Protocol Management.

 

Lab-Specific Training: After your biosafety manual has been approved: Print a copy of the approved manual to keep in the lab.  All personnel must review the biosafety manual, complete a training record, and sign the signature page of the biosafety Manual. The training should include specific procedures, PPE and equipment used in the lab, to conduct the work described in the IBC protocol and biosafety manual, as well as the proper handling and containment of the specific biohazards present in the lab.