Veterinary Technician

The Veterinary Technician ensures the well-being of collection animals by partnering with veterinarians to provide exceptional health care. This position will serve as a member of the emergency response team and will maintain hospital readiness for emergencies and inspections. Technicians will rotate through clinical, laboratory, pharmacy, and necropsy duties. This position will also collaborate with animal care staff to train medical behaviors.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with medical and surgical procedures and administer treatments as directed.
• Set-up and clean-up after animal procedures, both in the hospital and in animal areas, including preparation of necessary pharmaceuticals and equipment
• Perform venipuncture, anesthetic induction and monitoring, injections, weighing, placement of intravenous catheters, and fluid therapy
• Act as x-ray technician and ultrasonographer
• Serve as surgical technician or circulating technician as indicated.
• Provide safe and effective animal restraint and handling as needed.
• Maintain hospital and vehicle readiness, including cleaning, disinfection, restocking of materials, sterilization of instruments, maintaining workspace tidiness, upkeep of procedure kits and emergency boxes.
• Perform routine dental cleanings and obtain dental radiographs
• Fill prescriptions, assist with controlled pharmaceutical record keeping and inventory.
• Assist veterinarians in monitoring efficacy, form of medication, and prescriptions for each patient.
• Provide attentive care for hospitalized patients.
• Provide accurate patient observations and medical record entry.
• Perform collection, processing, preparation for shipment and evaluation of clinical laboratory samples, including blood, fecal, urine and water samples; provide accurate and timely reports for mammal, avian, reptile and fish hematology.
• Perform and maintain records of laboratory quality control testing.
• Maintain, clean and restock necropsy suite; assist with post-mortem exams and tissue collection, preservation and submission
• Operate onsite incinerator as needed
• Develop and maintain proficiency on remote delivery (dart) system
• Serve on emergency immobilization team and maintain readiness for animal emergencies.
• Assist Director of Hospital Operations with drug and equipment inventory.
• Provide proper care and husbandry for animals housed in the hospital and quarantine buildings as needed
• Participate in zoo wide operant conditioning efforts.
• Supervise veterinary and technical students.
• Follow all safety protocols and understand the veterinary department’s role in emergency procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Eligibility to become an Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) in Texas within one year of employment.
• Must be a graduate of an accredited veterinary technician program with minimally an Associates of Applied Science degree.
• Must have a minimum of 1 year of experience as a working veterinary technician.
• Must have at least three months volunteer or paid experience in a zoo, wildlife or exotic animal practice.
• Knowledge of Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) preferred, but not required
• Must be flexible, self-motivated and a team player.
• Must be able to establish and maintain an effective rapport with all levels of management, employees, and zoo guests.
• Must have good observational and communication skills
• Must be able to walk, stand, sit, kneel, stoop, crawl, twist, reach above head, pull bend, climb stairs and ladders and carry up to 50lbs.
• Must be able to work holidays and weekends.
• Must be able to actively work in inclement weather.
• Must have a valid driver’s license (to operate Zoo vehicles) and reliable transportation.
• Employment is contingent upon a successful background check, drug screen, and TB test results.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must complete the rabies vaccine series within six (6) months of employment. Dallas Zoo Management, Inc. will cover this expense if hired.
• Rabies titers will be required on a biennial basis. Dallas Zoo Management, Inc. will cover this expense if hired.
• Maintain LVT license in good standing and required continuing education (CE)