Veterinary Technician - Zoo

Department:  ZOO

Pay:  $21.11 per hour  

Work Schedule:   

Sedgwick County offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees that includes health coverages, paid leave, regular compensation reviews, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities.  For more detailed information, please visit our benefits page at SCBenefits.

Performs duties relevant to veterinary technology, including assisting veterinarians with medical procedures, animal restraint, anesthesia, diagnostic imaging, collection of lab samples, analysis of lab samples and/or sending samples to outside labs, filling prescriptions and administering medications to animals, and medical record keeping using ZIMS. Cleans and sterilizes medical instruments, regularly inspects medical equipment for needed repair and maintenance. Performs duties of the quarantine zookeeper as needed.

Animal Health

• Work with the hospital zookeeper to evaluate the status of hospitalized animals on a daily basis, and communicate findings to the veterinarians
• Administer prescribed treatments, including injections, gavage feeding, wound treatment, bandage changes, and laser therapy
• Monitor animals under anesthesia using available equipment, including pulse oximetry, capnography, blood pressure cuffs, and ECG
• Provide daily care for hospitalized and quarantined animals as needed, including feeding, cleaning, and shifting animals
• Maintain continuing education requirements as required by governing authorities; including attending conferences in-person or online, participating in forums, or other online venues to review online educational materials to keep abreast of new developments in veterinary technology.

Laboratory

• Regularly review and update fecal exam schedule as needed. 
• At the direction of the veterinarians, collect blood, urine, swabs, and other samples from all taxa for routine and diagnostic testing
• Perform in-house tests, including preparation and staining of slides for cytology and microbiology, manual and automated CBCs, chemistries, and complete urinalysis
• Prepare samples for shipping to outside labs and researchers, using proper packaging and labeling
• Assist veterinarians in conducting necropsy examinations and collection of post-mortem diagnostic samples
• Bank tissue, serum, and other biomaterials in the appropriate freezer or storage cabinet, and log the information into ZIMS

Hospital Operations

• Maintain and update animal medical records using ZIMS, including prescriptions/treatments, samples, test results, and other modules as directed by the veterinarians
• Inspect and maintain all hospital equipment including diagnostic tools, surgical equipment, anesthesia machines, and laboratory analyzers
• Conduct minor repairs to facilities and hospital equipment. Communicate any equipment failure or need for major repair to the veterinarians promptly
• Become thoroughly familiar with the care and operation of new diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical equipment, and maintain familiarity with current equipment including ultrasound, radiology, electrosurgical unit, thermography, therapeutic laser and endoscopy
• Deliver prescribed oral medications and supplements to the animal areas on a regular basis, ensuring uninterrupted completion of treatments given by zookeeper staff

Minimum Qualifications: Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology (RVT, CVT, or LVT).  One year of full-time employment as a Veterinary Technician. Must have or obtain a State of Kansas Registered Veterinary Technicians License within six months. Per Sedgwick County policy, this is a driving level position that requires a valid US driver’s license without restrictions and current proof of automobile insurance.

Preferred Qualifications: Two years of full-time employment as a Veterinary Technician with one year in a zoological or aquarium institution. Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology (RVT, CVT, or LVT). Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in the field of zoo medicine or eligibility.

It is the policy of Sedgwick County not to discriminate in its programs or services provided to the general public, including employment and all other activities, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other similarly protected status. Sedgwick County is committed to making the application, interview, and pre-employment testing process accessible to persons with disabilities. If you wish to volunteer information regarding any special assistance you may need, please notify Human Resources by phone at (316) 660-7050, TDD (Kansas Relay at 711 or 800-766-3777). Do not use this phone number for employment questions. This number is provided only for those requiring ADA assistance. You will be contacted should the department feel that you are a qualified candidate.