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Title

Veterinary Technician 

Description

Love animals? Want to make a positive impact on the planet? Come join Woodland Park Zoo as a Veterinary Technician. We have two, full-time, benefitted positions open.    

SUMMARY

Responsible for assisting zoo Veterinarians and other Animal Health staff with the medical care of zoo animals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Assist Veterinarians during medical examinations and treatments, surgical procedures and emergency care of zoo animals.
  • Provide daily care for animals while in the hospital, nursery and/or quarantine when Zookeepers are unavailable, including feeding, cleaning, and observing health status.
  • Prepare, dispense and/or administer vaccines, antibiotics and dewormings as directed by the Veterinarian; administer anesthesia under the direction of the Veterinarian.
  • Monitor and care for animals in intensive care as directed by the Veterinarian, to include: feeding and cleaning, bandage changes, administering oxygen therapy and medications, providing emergency care, and assisting in animal handling and restraint for medical exams.
  • Assist Veterinarians in post-mortem procedures, including the maintenance of necropsy room and equipment; work with vendors for disposal of necropsy specimens.
  • Assist in the preparation of Birth Management Plans; work with designated team members on developing drafts, prepare edits and comments for BMP drafts, and take the lead on creating hand-rearing protocols for BMPs in development.
  • Prepare standard medication and pharmaceutical forms for distribution to various zoo units and enter medical records into ZIMS medical program.
  • Perform all duties related to purchasing of pharmaceuticals, hospital and laboratory supplies, maintaining pharmaceutical inventory, and properly disposing of expired drugs and supplies.
  • Coordinate scheduling of appointments with Veterinarians, Curators and Zookeepers for animal medical care and health care programs, including preventive medicine, quarantine, treatment and pathology.
  • Collect laboratory samples, process lab test requests, package and ship lab specimens, and enter lab test results into ZIMS medical program.
  • Perform automated and manual laboratory tests, including hematology, chemistry, parasitology, cytology, iSTAT and urinalysis.
  • Communicate as directed by Veterinarian with zoo staff to maintain schedule of laboratory sample submissions for pre-shipment, quarantine, preventive medicine and clinical cases.
  • Review proposed research requests to determine Animal Health staff involvement, and comply with research requests involving lab samples by communicating with researchers and shipping samples.
  • Perform hospital maintenance and cleaning, including sterilization and organization of medical and laboratory equipment, maintenance of darting and other equipment, and maintenance of oxygen supply for hospital.
  • Act as part of the emergency response team for animal escapes.
  • Assist Animal Management staff with training plans that include health-care elements.
  • Write reports and graph information as requested by Veterinarians.
  • Participate with other zoo employees in public education programs and respond to public inquiries.
  • Perform other duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team, in consultation with the Veterinarian, and independently with little supervision.
  • Must be able to provide first-response and emergency first-aid patient care in the absence of the Veterinarian.
  • Must have a basic understanding of radiology equipment and positioning various species for radiographs for quality diagnostic images, and the ability to troubleshooting problems with the equipment; must have the ability to translate these skills to portable radiograph equipment in the field.
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Ability to drive an ambulance and/or electric cart.
  • Ability to shoot darts accurately.
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, nights and/or holidays as needed; must also be able to share a 24/7 on-call schedule in case of emergency situations,
  • Commitment to the mission of the zoo and the institution’s Core Values.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Veterinary Technician degree from an accredited organization; and a minimum of two years of experience as a licensed technician in the care and treatment of animals; or equivalent experience. Previous experience with non-domestic, zoo and wildlife species highly preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

  • Current State of Washington Veterinary Technician license
  • Valid US driver’s license required
  • TB Test done annually

COMPUTER SKILLS

Knowledge and experience with or ability to learn Microsoft Office programs and Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from group of managers, clients, customers and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL ABILITY

Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations with a focus on filling prescriptions and determining medical dosage calculations and formula concentrations.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear and use hands to finger, handle or feel. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk and sit, reach, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch and/or crawl extensively. Lifting animals is one of the most physically tasking job aspects. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. Substantial physical exertion is also required to restrain heavy animals. This position relays heavily on all senses every day to evaluate patients. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus while evaluating, examining and darting patients, performing surgery and post-mortem examinations, and/or using a microscope. Touch is important for physical examinations, taking blood samples, performing surgical procedures and giving medication. Hearing is important for communicating with co-workers, visitors and patients, and listening for heartbeats and breathing. Smell is important for identifying some diseases, infections, body fluids, medications, etc.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to x-rays, hazardous chemicals, drugs, dangerous and venomous animals, and contagious disease. The noise level in the work environment varies with occasional load noise from animals or equipment. The employee is sometimes exposed to various environmental conditions, including wet/humid conditions (non-weather) and variable weather, when working with animals. The position also spends a moderate amount of time at a computer.

Pay: $28.61 per hour, plus benefits 

Employment Requirements: 

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a valid WA driver's license with a safe driving history. A criminal background check, driving record review, pre-employment physical, and pre-employment tuberculosis test will be required of the selected applicant. The selected applicant must reside and conduct work in Washington State. 

COVID-19 Vaccination  

  • As of November 24, 2021, employees working on or accessing zoo grounds are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If hired, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination by your first day of employment. 
  • People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine. 
  • Employees may make requests for a reasonable accommodation based on a medical disability or for sincerely held religious beliefs. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation. 
     

Application Directions: Applications are accepted online through our Jobs Page at zoo.org/jobs; no other forms of application will be accepted. Cover letter and resume are required. 

Woodland Park Zoo is pleased to offer a comprehensive program of group benefits to help maintain your and your family’s health and wellbeing. These include: 

  • Medical  
  • Dental 
  • Vision 
  • 403(b) Retirement Plan 
  • 11 paid holidays, 2 personal holidays 
  • Vacation and sick accrual  
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA) 
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 
  • Tuition reimbursement 
  • Free zoo membership that includes zoo admission and discounts 
  • 4 complimentary tickets per year plus other discounts and perks  
  • Free staff parking 
  • Working for an organization that cares about wildlife conservation! 

Woodland Park Zoo is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in application and employment for any reason, including race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, age, disability or medical status including genetic information, and/or veteran’s status. 

Woodland Park Zoo is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in all of its services. If you need accommodation in the application or interview process, please contact our recruiting team at careers@zoo.org

 
Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time  
Exempt/Non-Exempt Non-Exempt  
Req Number ANI-22-00029  
EOE Statement Woodland Park Zoo is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in application and employment for any reason, including race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, age, disability or medical status including genetic information, and/or veteran’s status.
 

This position is currently not accepting applications.

To search for an open position, please go to http://WoodlandParkZoo.appone.com



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