Facility

Save the Chimps – Fort Pierce, FL

Closing Date

Description

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
Save the Chimps (STC) operates one of the largest chimpanzee sanctuaries in the world. Located on 150 acres on the Treasure Coast of Florida, the Sanctuary provides high quality clinical and lifetime care and enrichment for over 220 chimpanzees rescued from research laboratories, the U.S. Air Force, the entertainment industry, and the pet trade. The work of the organization is accomplished by a team of over 80 full-time dedicated employees, an impassioned community of volunteers, and a committed accomplished board of directors.

JOB SUMMARY
The Certified Veterinary Technician will work with the veterinarians and pharmacy/veterinary assistants to provide high quality well-being care to the chimpanzees and must be capable of working independently and as a team member. The candidate will report to the Managing Certified Veterinary Technician.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
None

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Clinical Procedures
• Phlebotomy, blood typing
• IV catheter placement and IV fluid set-up and monitoring
• Intra-arterial catheter placement
• CRI calculations and syringe pump use and monitoring
• Induction, intubation, maintenance and monitoring of anesthesia including a detailed written anesthesia log
• Surgical prep, monitoring, recovery and post-op patient care
• Dental prophylaxis and dental surgical assistance
• Laboratory analysis of urine, feces and blood
• Preparation of biological samples for shipment to outside laboratories
• Dose calculation, preparation and administration of injectable medications
• Perform ultrasound-guided cystocentesis
• Perform 12-channel ECG
• Perform digital radiography, including dental, as directed by veterinarians
• Hand-injection of chimpanzees
• Remote injection of chimpanzees using pole syringe or dart
• Perform first-line case evaluation, triage wounds and inform veterinarians
• Set up, clean up and assist with post-mortem examinations; document examinations with photographs and written records
• Prepare post-mortem tissues for shipment
• Prepare drug cocktail for capture immobilization under veterinary supervision
• Load and charge darts for immobilization, clean darts after use
• Serve as an adjunct member of STAT team, under direction of the veterinarian(s)
• Score and evaluate wounds
• Enter clinical notes into medical records
• Manage prescriptions
• Train chimps for medical procedures using operant conditioning
• Receive mortally injured or deceased wildlife; work with veterinarians to submit any with chimpanzee contact for rabies testing

Animal Care
• Prepare and deliver chimpanzee medications to Chimpanzee Care Technicians
• Maintain record of individual oral medication delivery method preferences
• Assist veterinarian(s) during daily care and observation of chimpanzees
• Assist veterinarian(s) with medical rounds
• Become knowledgeable of resident chimpanzees’ histories and personalities
• Other duties as required

Hospital Duties
• Maintain, clean and stock veterinary rooms and veterinary transport van
• Operate, calibrate and maintain all veterinary department equipment
• Maintain, clean, pack and sterilize all surgical, dental and necropsy instruments

Education and Pre-requisites

EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE, LICENSURE
• Associate degree from AVMA CVTEA Accredited school of Veterinary Technology required
• Florida Veterinary Technician Certification
• Proficiency in veterinary technical and hospital management skills as listed above
• VTNE or state equivalent required
• Minimum of three years of full-time clinical experience as a veterinary technician

OTHER REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand for long periods of time; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds singly and team-lift up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Able to drive and operate golf cart or other vehicles for use on sanctuary property.
• Must be able to run and swim in the face of danger.
• Must be able to pass a pre-hire drug screen.
• STC follows and adheres to all local, state and federal regulations and CDC recommendations for COVID infection control and other public health mandates. STC currently requires all employees to be vaccinated for COVID, Hepatitis A & B, Tetanus, annual Flu and have an annual negative TB test.
• Employees must be comfortable and compliant with sanctuary protocols which may include: remote or in-person attendance, working in proximity to both humans and chimpanzees, and wearing of PPE, among other best practices in public health management.
• Tasks are regularly performed with potential for exposure to adverse conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, animals/wildlife and zoonotic diseases.
• Employees must not object to unpleasant chimpanzee behaviors including spitting of water or saliva, throwing of feces, food or other waste, and chimpanzee displays that may include banging, kicking of the mesh barrier, and loud screams or hooting.
• This position will involve working outdoors in Florida, often in hot and humid conditions and at times in inclement weather.
• Hours worked will include one weekend days and may include nights and holidays.

Compensation and benefits

This is a full-time, non-exempt position.

Application instructions

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to hr@savethechimps.org.
For more information, please visit https://savethechimps.org/wp-content/uploads/Job-Descriptions/Certified-Veterinary-Technician_0522.pdf

Save the Chimps
16891 Carole Noon Ln
Fort Pierce, FL 34945
Website: https://savethechimps.org/