Registered Veterinary Technician

The Registered Veterinary Technician is responsible for assisting Zoo Veterinarians and Animal Care staff in all aspects of animal care (preventative medicine, emergency care, and anesthesia). 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 is  $22.00 - $24.20 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 ZIMs in a 7day period. Inputs necropsy/histology reports into ZIMs record keeping program within a month of result 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 veterinarian daily.
• Undertake or assist in the disposition of nuisance wildlife or feral animal population 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.

Provide Excellent Animal Care

• Provides excellent care to quarantined and hospitalized animals. Effectively performs all zookeeper duties as needed.
• Thoroughly cleans and disinfects assigned animal enclosures and ensures cleanliness of hospital facilities throughout the day.
• 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

• Performs special assignments and projects as requested and assists with other shifts as needed.
• Assumes other responsibilities as necessary to assure achievement of established objectives.
• Supervise veterinary students, veterinary technician students, and volunteers.
• 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 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.
• Performs daily cleaning of hospital areas and ensures proper hygiene of hospital areas and equipment.
• Promotes a safe work environment daily by reporting concerns, removing debris and clutter.
• Schedules routine equipment maintenance as indicated.
• Aids in all zoo signal response as appropriate.

EDUCATION AND JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Must hold a Degree in Veterinary Technology or related field from an accredited university.
• Must obtain a California Veterinary Technician license within 6 months of employment and maintain throughout employment.
• Minimum two years related experience required. Applicable experience in an AZA facility preferred.
• Valid California driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 60 days of employment and a clean driving record.
• Excellent written and verbal English communications skills required. Bilingual communication skills a plus.
• Availability to work or be on-call, including weekends, evenings, and holidays.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• These are 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 a 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.
• The employee is regularly required to lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds, and occasionally up to 75 pounds.
• 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

• The position functions both indoors and outdoors, with potential exposure to heat, cold, and inclement weather.
• The employee is regularly exposed to a variety of animals with risk of animal bites, zoonotic disease, and other animal-related injury.
• The employee may be required to work at heights.
• The ability to stay late, come in early, work weekends and holidays as required by emergency or critical care of animal cases.

Experience Required

• Minimum two years related experience required.
• Applicable experience in an AZA facility preferred.

Perks

• 100% employer paid Medical/Dental/Vision,
• Employee Assistance Program,
• 401k,
• 10 Paid Holidays,
• Paid Sick and Paid Vacation time on an accrued basis

Salary

• $22.00 - $24.20 per hour