Supervisor, Veterinary Technician

The Veterinary Technician Supervisor works under the direction of the Veterinarians and is responsible for the functional supervision, including operational assistance, staff development, and technical guidance, of the veterinary technician team. Provides a variety of semi-technical and technical animal health tasks encompassing animal management, diagnostic radiology, laboratory and surgical procedures, and therapy/treatment techniques. Required to work weekends, holidays, some evenings, rotating schedules and beyond scheduled work hours.

Our Mission:

• Connect communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife.

Our Vision:

• Be a leader in the global movement to save wildlife.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides functional supervision, operational assistance, and technical guidance to a team of four Licensed Veterinary Technicians in daily functions.
• Creates schedules and provides performance evaluations for direct reports.
• Assists veterinarians with routine, diagnostic, and emergency procedures, including, but not limited to surgery, digital radiology, ultrasonography, dental prophylaxis and radiology, anesthesia induction, monitoring and recovery, medication administration, IV catheter placement, and record keeping in a new state-of-the-art zoological medicine facility.
• Performing routine pharmacy related skills including medical calculations involving dilutions, dosages, and compounding medications.
• Skilled in interpreting, dispensing, and administering medications as prescribed by a veterinarian.
• Prepares specimens and performing diagnostic laboratory tests at the Houston Zoo in-house laboratory, including, but not limited to fecal analysis, hematology, serum chemistry, urinalysis, and cytology.
• Participates in gross necropsies and sample preparation as needed.
• Works with Veterinary Radiation Safety Offices to ensure department maintains Health and Human Services/ State of Texas Radiation Control registration.
• Manages individual badge testing and records, manages equipment safety testing and facilitates state inspection as is required by law.
• Coordinates collection, storage and shipments of biological samples for a variety of purposes including fixed tissues and cryopreservation units. Prepares specimens for shipment to reference laboratories.
• Maintains animal health, anesthesia and surgical records.
• Performs routine equipment maintenance to assure proper function and quality results, including surgical suite preparation, instrument sterilization and routine re-stocking.
• Trains veterinary technicians, veterinary technician/student interns/externs or other volunteers on procedures and protocols.
• Triages native wildlife cases as directed by a veterinarian.
• Oversees master spreadsheet for all veterinary hospital equipment needs related to preventative maintenance or repair.
• Evaluates the condition of area facilities and equipment, communicates issues and concerns to the appropriate staff and if applicable generates and tracks work order requests; monitors repair and maintenance work as needed.
• Maintains daily logs, research or veterinary records, as appropriate and according to established guidelines; requires basic skills with TRACKS and Microsoft Office software applications. Maintains animal anesthesia and health records during procedures.
• Coordinates the proper disposal of standard pharmaceuticals and controlled substance disposal. Coordinates the proper disposal of medical waste.
• Trains veterinary technician interns/externs, veterinary students or other volunteers on procedures and protocols.
• Participates in regular staff meetings.
• Ensures a safe work environment by following all safety guidelines and modeling safe work practices.
• Understands and applies a practical understanding of operant conditioning as it relates to veterinary procedures and partners with animal keepers to train medical husbandry behaviors under veterinary direction.
• Identifies potential maintenance or safety issues and reports them to supervisor.
• Exhibits good teamwork and communication skills both within the home team and when working with other teams or departments. Demonstrates both verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates proficiency in all duties and work areas.
• Performs husbandry tasks such as cleaning, feeding, and/or maintenance as needed.
• May be required to safely operate a motor vehicle.
• Assists with departmental research projects, conservation, AZA, or other industry activities as directed/approve by the Zoo Supervisor or Curator; provides support for the Zoo projects
• Assists with training, mentoring, and may oversee and direct activities of students, interns, volunteers, and other veterinary technicians.
• Serves as a point of contact for other veterinary technicians to veterinarians, Facilities staff, and/or other departments.
• Maintains good communication and relationships with service providers, vendors; may trouble shoot problems with service providers via verbal (phone), written (email) or in person communication.
• Assists in the oversight of team projects.
• Assists in the development and implementation of area standard operating guidelines.
• Serves as a positive role model for interns, volunteers, and other staff.
• Provides input on budget formulation and monitoring.
• Demonstrates a clear understanding of the roles AZA zoos play in conservation and saving animals in the wild.
• Actively pursues feedback and other resources to develop leadership skills.
• Contributes to saving animals in the wild through: reduction of waste, water and energy use and inspiring guests and staff to take wildlife protecting actions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Two (2) year degree from an accredited program in animal technology
• Ability to status as a Licensed Veterinary Technician or ability to obtain Texas license within 6 months.
• Five years’ experience working in a veterinary clinic or hospital.
• Two years of supervisory experience in a veterinary clinic, hospital, or laboratory.
• One (1) year in a laboratory setting for diagnostic sample processing or research.
• Valid Texas driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 60 days of employment.
• About the Houston Zoo
• The Houston Zoo is made up of many moving parts with over 6,000 permanent residents (our animals) for whom we provide housing, meals, medical care and yes, even education!
• There are over 2 million guests each year who come to experience our incredible variety of animals and ecosystems, as well as attend special private and public events and entertainment.
• Our dedicated staff works around the clock to ensure that the Zoo is always running smoothly for the safety and well-being of our residents and guests.
• We strive to ensure the protection of all the counterparts of the animals we have at the Zoo and in the wild.
• Join the Houston Zoo and become a part of an organization that is focused on the preservation of wildlife and their habitats by combining conservation with education and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods in the local communities.
• Houston Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer.