Registered Veterinary Technician

The Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) is responsible for assisting Zoo Veterinarians and Animal Care staff in providing exceptional patient care to our diverse collection of species, such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates.  They are tasked with assisting in the ongoing promotion of animal health and welfare provided by the zoo’s veterinary department in a high-performance, employee-oriented culture that meets quality standards and productivity expectations while advancing the mission and vision of the Fresno Chaffee Zoo.

• Full-Time employees receive our comprehensive compensation package which includes 100% employer paid Medical/Dental/Vision, Employee Assistance Program, 401k, 10 Paid Holidays, Paid Sick and Paid Vacation time on an accrued basis.
• The pay range for this position $22.43 - $27.52 per hour.
• Offers will be based on the successful candidate's experience.

ESSENTIAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Daily Medical Care
• Effectively prepares and maintains medical records. Input medical records, testing results, and anesthesia monitoring sheets into the Zoological     
• Information Management System (ZIMs) within a 7-day period.
• Inputs necropsy/histology reports into ZIMs, keeping the program within a month of finalization.
• Actively assists the veterinary team in the care of the zoo’s animal collection including procedures involving immobilization/anesthesia, physical restraint (of any zoo species including large macaws, reptiles, invertebrates), physical examination, surgery, radiology, ultrasonography, endoscopy, phlebotomy, cystocentesis, fluid administration, intubation, anesthetic monitoring, bandaging, wound care, medication administration, dentistry, and treatment of the zoo’s animal collection.
• Effectively performs laboratory work, including blood, urine, and fecal testing.
• Ensures appropriate handling and submission of laboratory samples as directed by the veterinarian daily.
• Prepares specimens for shipment to reference laboratories. 
• Maintains surgical suite supplies, including, but not limited to, instrument sterilization and preparation.
• Perform in-house lab work, including Elephant Complete Blood Counts (CBCs), and fecals, within a year of start date.  
• Additional lab work training requirements may include Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Hormone analysis as assigned by the Sr. Director of Veterinary Services or Hospital Manager
• Undertake or assist in the disposition of nuisance wildlife or feral animal populations potentially injurious to the zoo collection, including euthanasia under the direction of a veterinarian.
• Assistance with necropsies, including collecting and preparing tissues for histopathologic evaluation.
• Administers medications and treatments as directed by a veterinarian.
• Perform routine pharmacy-related skills, including medical calculations involving dilutions and dosages, compounding medications, prescription dispensing, and medication administration when needed
• Uphold policies and protocols set forth by the Sr. Director of Veterinary Services, Hospital Manager, and Fresno Chaffee Zoo
• Provide Excellent Animal Care
• Provides excellent care to quarantined and hospitalized animals.
• Actively observes animals’ behavior, checking for any signs of illness or disorder, and reports irregularities and abnormal behavior to the veterinarian.
• Provide Excellent Staff and Visitor Experience
• Assist the Hospital Manager in providing guidance to veterinary students and volunteers.
• Provide excellent customer service to guests that you encounter throughout the park.
• Hospital Safety, Sanitation, Maintenance, and Organization
• Organizes animal sample storage for future diagnostic use and data banking.
• Maintains all hospital and quarantine equipment and facilities so that it is in a clean and ready state at all times.
• Completes administrative duties as assigned, such as but not limited to:  inventory, ordering, drug logs, radiation tracking for staff and equipment, and other administrative duties as assigned.
• Ensure a safe work environment by following all safety guidelines and reporting any safety concerns to management. 
• Aids in all zoo signal responses as appropriate.
• Perform and schedule all routine equipment maintenance to assure proper function and quality results. 

Other Duties

• Safely operate a vehicle for business purposes, including but not limited to going to and from the zoo’s facilities and off-site.  
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to support the teams and organizational goals.

EDUCATION AND JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in Veterinary Technology or related field from an accredited university required.
• Must obtain a California Veterinary Technician license within six (6) months of employment and maintain it throughout employment.
• Minimum two (2) years of paid full-time employment as a veterinary technician is required. One (1) year of experience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Accredited facility preferred.
• A valid California driver's license, valid vehicle insurance, enrolled in the CA Employer Pull Notice program, and successful completion of the FCZ Drivers Training Program required within 6 months of hire date. 
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills required. Bilingual communication skills are a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• These are the physical and mental requirements of the position as it is typically performed.  Inability to meet one or more of these physical or mental requirements will not automatically disqualify a candidate or employee from the position. 
• Upon request for reasonable accommodation, the Zoo may be able to adjust or excuse one or more of these requirements, depending on the requirement, the essential functions to which it relates, and the proposed accommodation. 
• This position is regularly required to bend, stoop, crouch, and kneel; use hands and arms for care of animals and cleaning of enclosures. Occasionally required to climb stairs or ladders.
• Fine motor skills and hand/eye coordination are required. Small repetitive movements with your hands, such as pipette use while preparing samples or dental scaling during dentals, may be required for extended periods of time.
• May be required to stand and walk for the entirety of an 8-hour shift.
• The employee is regularly required to lift or carry up to 50 pounds, and occasionally up to 75 pounds of equipment or animal.
• Evaluating animal health, diet, or environment requires hearing and smell.
• Visual acuity to read printed instructions and safety information, and to assess animal behavior. Color perception is also required.
• Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication (in person and via telephone), at normal speaking levels with or without correction.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position functions both indoors and outdoors, with possible exposure to heat, cold, inclement weather, poor air quality, insects, Zoo environments, and external events.
• The employee is regularly exposed to a variety of animals with risk of animal bites (including venomous), zoonotic disease, and other animal-related injury. 
• The employee may be exposed to environmental substances such as dust/dirt from Zoo grounds. 
• The position works in close proximity to Zoo animals. 
• The employee may be required to work at heights.
• Regular local travel and occasional out-of-town travel may be required.
• Ability to work overtime, evenings, weekdays, weekends, and holidays.