Veterinary Technician

Job Title: Veterinarian Technician

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Hours: Full-time

About the role:

We are seeking a Veterinary Technician to join our team of 5 Clinical Veterinarians, 5 Veterinary technicians, Hospital keeper, Hospital coordinator, and Director of Animal Health. This is a new position on the team and the position has responsibilities encompassing every aspect of zoological medicine and will work both at the main Zoo campus and at the Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari. This person will join our energetic and dedicated team in caring for a large and diverse group of animals including terrestrial and aquatic species. We are looking for a Veterinary Technician who enjoys both the challenge and excitement of working on a team in a fast-paced, constantly evolving environment that requires flexibility and creative problem-solving. Our ideal candidate will have solid clinical skills, knowledge of exotic species care, excellent communication skills, a commitment to life-long learning, and a desire to help us provide the highest quality veterinary care to all animals at the Zoo and Safari Park.

Duties and Responsibilities (include but not limited to):

• Provide Veterinary Technician support to provide excellent preventative, routine, and emergency care to all of the Zoo, Aquarium, and Safari Park animals.
• Participate in skills-training/ review program for Veterinary Technicians.
• Assist maintenance of hospital programming through supply management and hospital cleaning/ disinfection.
• Prepare for and assist with veterinary examinations with an emphasis on monitoring and anesthesia (cardiopulmonary support and monitoring) and perform diagnostics (phlebotomy, radiographs, blood work, fecals, cytologies, etc.).
• Provide clinical laboratory support through in-house diagnostics (fecals, urinalysis, CBCs, biochemistry and cytologies) and sample submission to outside laboratories.
• Maintain sample storage programming.
• Provide daily care, observation and monitoring of hospitalized cases including feeding, cleaning, enrichment, and training.
• Support and, as needed, fill in for hospital keeper to provide animal care for the quarantine areas, hospitalized patients and neonates being hand raised.
• Assist animal care professionals in the operant conditioning of animals for medical behaviors.
• Assist with pharmacy program by filling prescriptions and assist Lead Veterinary Technician with inventory and medication expiration dates.  
• Provide general support to the animal health department ensuring all documentation and records are accurate, completed in a timely manner and accessible and all regulatory requirements are met.
• Assist in controlled drug tracking and documentation in accordance with internal protocols to meet regulatory standards.
• Perform hospital equipment maintenance and ensure equipment is in ready-to-use condition.
• Attends and participates in daily morning/ afternoon rounds and monthly Animal Health staff meetings.
• Provide guidance and mentorship for visiting veterinary students, Zoo Academy students, and interns, as needed.
• Perform other duties as needed to ensure the care of the animals in the collection, the smooth functioning of the department, and/ or the reputation of the zoo as directed by veterinarians and the Lead Veterinary Technician.

Requirements:

• Must have earned a degree from an AVMA accredited Veterinary Technician program and must have successfully passed the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Examination).
• Must have the ability to obtain a registered Veterinary Technician license from the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Board within 6 months of the hire date.
• Able to work in a team environment with animal care staff and other departments and foster trust-based relationships.
• Must have the willingness and ability to function as a team member in a fast-paced environment with a high caseload
• Must possess high emotional intelligence, and situational awareness.
• Strong Computer skills, including Microsoft Office, preferred.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid state driver’s license.
• Proof of negative TB Screening and up to date Rabies vaccination.

Candidates might be required to pass a pre-employment background check, drug test, negative TB test, and possess a valid driver’s license with a good history.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

• Will lift, push, pull, and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 75 pounds using safe and proper lifting methods.
• Ability to frequently bend, stoop, crouch, kneel, reach upward, twist, and have good lateral movement
• Ability to perform large amount of walking and walk up and down stairs
• Ability to perform tasks requiring heavy use of arms, wrists, and exertion of upper body, arms, and hands to perform duties
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions year round sometimes on uneven terrain
• Ability to work with animals with potential zoonotic disease
• Able to work with narcotics for use in animal immobilizations as well as pain control which can be life-threatening to humans
• Willing to work a flexible schedule to include weekends, holidays and evening hours an in all weather conditions
• Must be able to be on call as necessary

DISCLAIMER

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor is it to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC.