Facility
Chicago Zoological Society
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
The Chicago Zoological Society has a team of dedicated veterinary professionals committed to maintaining the health and well-being of all the animals at Brookfield Zoo, which is a big task! The Veterinary Services Department is quick to provide medical and surgical care whenever problems arise in an animal, but actually spends most of their time preventing medical problems from occurring in the first place through a robust, comprehensive preventative medicine program as animals at the zoo receive routine examinations, testing, and close monitoring as part of the zoo’s program. The zoo’s hospital features advanced imaging equipment like ultrasound and a CT (CAT) scanner to help diagnose problems, a complete laboratory for analysis of blood and other samples, advanced equipment for monitoring anesthesia, and even an intensive care unit for animals that must be hospitalized for special care.
The Supervisory Veterinary Technician contributes to the success of the Chicago Zoological Society by supervising, instructing, and working alongside the Veterinary Technicians who provide experienced technical and medical support to veterinary clinicians in the care of the animal collection. This position also assists the Veterinary Services staff and the Society in creating innovations and excellence in conservation leadership and animal welfare through the most current standards for specialized veterinary care.
The primary duties and responsibilities: Provides supervision, training, accountability, and leadership of Veterinary Technician staff in a proactive role. Communicates and monitors performance expectations and work assignments. Provides regular and timely feedback related to work performance and prepares and conducts performance appraisals. Creates and maintains a positive team environment by engaging staff in professional development activities and celebrating staff achievements/accomplishments. Participates in the training of interns, seasonal or temporary employees, and volunteers. Participates in preparation for procedures and assistance provided to veterinary clinicians in performing procedures. Oversees staff training, proficiency, and participation in zoo-wide and area emergency procedures as needed or directed.
Maintains and monitors anesthesia, including the operation of inhalation anesthesia equipment, remote drug delivery systems, and patient monitoring devices. Participates in various types of diagnostic imaging (positioning of the patient, exposure, and storage of digital images) and laboratory tests including, but not limited to comprehensive hematology and serum chemistry, cytology, and fecal analysis for parasites to ensure accuracy and operational efficiency. Under certain conditions, will assist with sample preparation. Responsible for the forwarding samples for analysis of non-routine tests and research requests to outside referral laboratories. Responsible for the accurate dispensing and recording of medical prescriptions, administer medications and vaccinations as directed by veterinarians. Create and maintain accurate medical records documentation of clinical procedures, prescriptions, and diagnostic laboratory work.
Maintains appropriate levels of inventory in all areas of the Animal Hospital. Responsible for ordering drugs, medical supplies, laboratory supplies in accordance with the Society’s policies. Responsible for the cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of the treatment room, surgical suite, surgical instruments and equipment, animal enclosures, pools, and service areas. Ensures proper operation and maintenance of imaging equipment, including digital radiography, mammography, computed tomography (CT), and ultrasound with direction from veterinary staff. Participates in the troubleshooting, quality control procedures, and required maintenance on all clinical and laboratory equipment/instruments. Responsible for timely reporting of facility maintenance needs.
Communicates regularly with hospital supervisors/managers regarding the performance of technical staff and management of active medical cases, such as medical procedures, laboratory operations, nutrition, training, and behavioral enrichment. Communicates and monitors hospital guests to ensure protection of Society property as well as animal and human safety. Other related duties as assigned.
Education and Pre-requisites
The requirements for this position include the following: Associate’s degree in veterinary technology from a program approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association or a Bachelor’s of Science degree in veterinary technology required. Ten years of experience as a veterinary technician, seven years of experience working with non-domestic animals, and five years of supervisory experience required.
Licensure to work as a Veterinary Technician in the state of Illinois required within 90 days of hire. Excellent technical skills including proficiency in the restraint, sample collection techniques, patient monitoring, intravenous catheter placement, cytology, parasitology, and blood analysis, with domestic and exotic animals. Detailed knowledge and experience working with digital radiography equipment and computed tomography. Knowledge of CT image protocols and reconstruction. Detailed and current knowledge of veterinary medical practices, animal anatomy and physiology, and basic pharmacology and principles of anesthesia. Knowledge of best practice standards and requirements from accreditation and regulatory agencies including, but not limited to American Veterinary Medical Association, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, and U.S. Department of Agriculture as well as state and local agencies to assist with compliance within the veterinary practice. Knowledge of and experience with sterile techniques, surgical equipment cleaning and sterilization, and infection control and quarantine practices.
Sound decision-making and judgment skills, analytical skills, integrity, critical and strategic thinking, compliance, resourcefulness, and excellent communication skills including verbal, written and listening. Proven proficiency in detecting and acting upon relevant changes in animal behaviors and conditions. Ability to work with minimal supervision. Ability to maintain confidentiality of all privileged information. Team player with strong interpersonal skills.
English fluency at a professional working proficiency required. Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, and Excel, and Species360 ZIMS. Experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience required. A valid driver’s license is required.
Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency a plus, is a preferred qualification.
Additional Information: This position description summarizes the primary duties and functions of this position, but should not be considered a complete listing of every duty the incumbent may ever be called upon to perform. Must represent the Society in a professional manner at all times. Incumbent must demonstrate knowledge of occupational hazards and safe work practices around such hazards. Must be able to work with zoo animals and native wildlife safely. Incumbent is expected to demonstrate initiative in identifying and solving problems and recommending ideas and viable suggestions to improve operations. Veterinary technicians are frequently subjected to potential hazards that include direct contact with or close proximity to live animals. These positions are physically demanding, and employees may be subjected to a variety of physical demands and environmental factors and exposures. This is a full-time position including weekends and holidays. This job description contains the primary duties and responsibilities of the position, but in no way implies that these are the only duties the employee may ever be called upon to perform.
Compensation and benefits
Not specified.
Application instructions
The Chicago Zoological Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
If interested in being considered for this opportunity, please visit the CZS Career Center to obtain more details about the position and to apply by submitting your profile. Please visit our website at www.czs.org/careers. Please look for requisition number 1663BR.