Facility

Potter Park Zoo

Closing Date

Description

Description: Under the direct and indirect supervision of the Veterinarian, the veterinary technician performs a variety of specialized duties involved in the medical management of the animal collection, daily clinical operations and maintenance of the hospital facilities, equipment and records. General functions of the position include: to provide advanced clinical support to the Veterinarian in the delivery of health care to a wide variety of exotic and non-exotic animals; perform clinical laboratory testing, overs proper care, organization to sick or traumatized animals.

Essential Functions:
1. Assist veterinarian in all aspects of zoo medical procedures, particularly routine physical examinations, immobilizations, anesthesia, radiology, treatment, dentistry, preventive medicine, and surgery.
2. Preparation and cleanup of procedures, immobilizations and the needs of the veterinarians. Perform anesthesia, anesthesia monitoring, and other assigned procedures with limited veterinary supervision. Assist veterinarian with necropsy and pathology procedures; perform some necropsies and diagnostic sampling independently.
3. Provide nursing care, administer treatments, therapies, and bandage changes and address other active clinical cases within the collection.
4. Perform and interpret advanced pharmacological calculations to ensure proper and accurate drug dosing. Create prescription compliance form and dispense properly labeled medications.
5. Demonstrate advanced understanding of radiology equipment, technique, and positioning for a wide variety of species in order to obtain quality diagnostic images, and the ability to troubleshoot problems with equipment. Maintain radiograph back-ups as required by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
6. Collect and process lab specimens from a wide variety of zoo animals; run complete highly specialized analysis of samples to include but not limited to; parasite checks, cytology, urinalysis, fungal cultures, manual hematology counts on mammals, avian, reptiles and amphibian patients; distribute samples to proper clinical pathology laboratories following appropriate regulations for shipping biological samples; communicate technically with lab specialists based on veterinarian’s needs.
7. Perform routine data entry in ZIMS Medical Records System. Fill out AZA Contraception Survey, write protocols, and gather information as requested by veterinarian.
8. Work with keepers on training animals to present voluntary behaviors for medical procedures.
9. Responsible for the maintenance and care of the hospital and its equipment to include care, repair and cleaning, mopping, laundry, disposal of garbage and bio-hazardous waste. Properly clean, disinfect and prepare items for both steam and ethylene oxide gas sterilization safely and effectively.
10. Responsible for ordering and monitoring supplies, drugs and medical equipment. Performs related activities such as tracking drug expirations, logging controlled drugs. Responsible for proper disposal of controlled and non-controlled drugs.
Monitor incoming orders with invoices, codes and submits invoices to veterinarian. Makes sure all vendors used are registered with the county, if not, take proper steps to ensure that happens. Communicates with vendors regarding invoices and billing issues.
11. Supervise and teach veterinary technician students, veterinary students, interns and volunteers.
12. Participate in approved research and support institutional scientific research and conservation.
13. Participates in birthing plans and preparation, hand raising of animals.

Education and Pre-requisites

Education: Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology from an American Veterinary Medical Association Accredited Veterinary Technology Program

Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of experience working as a veterinary technician.

Compensation and benefits

Salary: $47,179.86

This position is benefited and is subject to the UAW – ZOO CBA. Ingham County offers a wide range of benefits to support you in your career.

Application instructions

Applicants must apply online at:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ingham/jobs/3658232/veterinary-technician-potter-park-zoo?page=9&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs