Address
Form of workJob Description
Summary:
The Animal Health department is seeking an experienced and energetic Veterinary Technician to join our team. The Hospital Veterinary Technician implements quarantine, clinical, preventative and post-mortem protocols as directed by the veterinarians. Based at the Animal Care Center, this position provides daily medical and husbandry care for quarantine and hospitalized animals at a level exceeding USDA standards as well as assists with providing medical care for the entire zoological collection.
Responsibilities/ Duties:
- Manage the medical and husbandry care of quarantine animals and ICU patients, following all applicable protocols including health monitoring, sanitation and safety procedures when dealing with dangerous and/or venomous animals
- Complete case histories, develop housing and enrichment plans, and coordinate incoming and outgoing transfers of animals from hospital/quarantine
- Fill and administer medications and other treatments to hospital patients and quarantine animals in addition to prescriptions for zoo collection
- Support veterinarians in completing daily schedule of examinations and treatments and assist with anesthetic and surgical procedures
- Maintain clinical records, including hospital and quarantine patient logs, and enter data into ZIMS program
- Communicate within and between Animal Health and other zoo departments to achieve best practices for animals in hospital and quarantine
- Administer hospital disinfection and pest control measures
- Comply with feral wildlife protocol
- Regularly use equipment such as digital radiograph machine, doppler, pulse oximeter, EKG, endoscopy, Tonopen, automated pill counter, Abaxis chem analyzer, iStat machine, etc.
- Conduct laboratory analyses, including hematology, chemistry, cytology, parasitology, etc., and sample processing for reference laboratories, research projects and storage
- Perform emergency triage and treatment of animals under remote guidance of veterinarian when necessary
- Competently use remote drug delivery equipment for routine treatments as well as emergency immobilizations
- Clean and sterilize instruments and surgical equipment using gas and steam methods
- Complete inventories of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals
- Supervise undergraduate internship program and instruct veterinary externs and technician interns as necessary
- Lead hospital tours for a wide variety of visiting individuals and groups
Requirements:
- Associate or Bachelor’s Degree in Veterinary Technology and graduation from an AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology program
- Licensed Veterinary Technician in good standing, currently registered through state and national boards, and licensure in the state of Pennsylvania within first 3 months of hire
- Minimum 2 years of Veterinary Technician experience in a clinical setting, with experience with zoo/exotic/aquatic species preferred
- Must obtain rabies vaccination and maintain titer; must provide proof of negative TB test within the last year
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, holidays and on-call as needed
- Current PA driver’s license within 3 months of hire (must be maintained)
Other Qualifications/ Knowledge/Skills and Abilities:
- Thorough understanding of contagious and zoonotic disease transmission and quarantine procedures
- Working knowledge of proper animal restraint methods during procedures and treatments
- Working knowledge of digital imaging equipment, laparoscope, endoscope, electrocautery, gas and steam sterilizers, laboratory equipment (microscopes, centrifuge, blood analyzer), remote drug delivery equipment, etc.
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access); ZIMS experience preferred
- Ability to work outside in a variety of weather conditions
- Manual dexterity is required to operate machinery, equipment and restraining devices, including restraint nets, pathology supplies, personal computer, etc. Must be physically able to exert up to ten pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Work involves standing, walking, bending, reaching, crawling, crouching, etc. for periods of time. Must be able to lift and/or carry weights of fifty to seventy pounds. Position may require occasional off-site driving.
