Veterinary Technician

The veterinary technician reports directly to and works with the full-time veterinarian to coordinate and implement animal health programs throughout the zoo. The technician aids the full-time veterinarian with medical record entry and is responsible for preparing and assisting routine and emergency animal procedures, including but not limited to anesthetic events in the field and hospital, examinations, collection of diagnostic samples, and administration of treatments. The veterinary technician is responsible for maintaining hospital cleanliness, inventory/restocking, and maintenance of the veterinary equipment. The technician will work with veterinary students, veterinary technician students, and house officers on a regular basis and will actively participate in the guest special events throughout the year.Education Required: Associate’s degree; Graduate of an American Veterinary Medical Association Accredited Veterinary Technology Program.

Education Preferred: Graduation from an accredited 4-year college or university.
 
Area of Study (Major) Required: 
 
Certification(s) Required: Combination of veterinary technician work experience and associate’s degree in veterinary technology, wildlife management, zoology, biology, or related field may be considered.   

Certification(s) Preferred: Veterinary-Science Technology
 
License(s) Required: Valid driver's license. Must be able to obtain LA driver's license within 60 days of hire.
 
Years Relevant Work Experience: At least two years of full-time veterinary technician clinical experience.  At least one year spent preferably with zoo, exotic, wildlife, and/or emergency room experience. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.  

Years Relevant Work Preferred: (5) or more years related experience
 
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Exhibits strong attention to detail and organization.
• Collaborates with full-time veterinarian to uphold and update the standard operating procedures and practices of the zoo's veterinary hospital.
• Knowledge of and experience using, maintaining, and troubleshooting anesthetic machines (rebreathing & non-rebreathing systems), anesthetic monitoring equipment, fluid pumps, digital radiology equipment (including portable x-ray unit), dental unit, tabletop CBC and biochemistry machines, microscopes, centrifuge, and autoclave.
• Knowledge of/experience with veterinary and human medications, treatments, and potential drug reactions.
• Knowledge of controlled drug regulations and experience with appropriate controlled drug use, record keeping, and proper storage and handling.
• Knowledge of, experience, and comfort using remote capture equipment, ultra[1]potent opioids, preparing/firing darts, and using firearms is preferred.
• Knowledge of and experience detecting multiple species of animals’ behaviors and ability to detect abnormalities.
• Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and disease of a variety of exotic/zoo animals.
• Experience handling a wide variety of taxa including avians, mammals, herps, and fish.
• Knowledge of infectious diseases (bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic) and appropriate practices to reduce cross-contamination/spread and improve treatment success.
• Exhibits sufficient strength, agility, and coordination to assist in capture and/or restraint of large, strong animals.
• Able to work safely around high-stress, delicate, and sometimes dangerous exotic animals.
• Ability to perform accurate, detailed data input for effective record keeping in a computerized animal management system. Exhibits proficiency in the use of computers and software applications, including MS Office Suite. Experience with Zims Species 360 is also preferred.
• Exhibits effective verbal and written communication, strong interpersonal skills, and professionalism with ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with management, volunteers, employees and zoo guests.
• Exercises sound judgment during emergency situations with the ability to learn all zoo protocols, participate actively, and follow them adequately, including instances of animal escape and venomous species handling.
• Experience working at an AZA-accredited zoological institution/aquarium is desired

Essential Functions and Duties:

• Facilitates animal health-care program for Zoo by communicating with husbandry staff and veterinarians.
• Helps full-time veterinarian maintain the computer-based and hard copy animal record keeping systems in a timely, organized, and accurate fashion.
• Exhibits knowledge of USDA and AZA inspection practices and aids maintenance of hospital to ensure standards are always met.
• Maintains hospital cleanliness and manages/organizes all hospital, anesthesia, lab, surgery, pharmacy, and field procedure inventory, including ordering of supplies and restocking.
• Prepares for all procedures in a timely, organized fashion and aids cleanup/disinfection of equipment and facility post procedures.
• Performs full range of in-house laboratory testing as directed by the veterinarian, including but not limited to fecal exams, manual CBC, blood chemistry, and cytology.
• Coordinates with outside laboratories to collect, prep, pack, and ship appropriate samples.
• Performs accurate drug dose calculations under direction of the veterinarian.
• Reads, fills, & accurately dispenses prescriptions to Animal Care Staff.
• Administers preventative medicine therapies and patient treatments via multiple routes under direction of full-time vet and sometimes with aid of veterinary students and/or house officers.
• Aids the veterinarian, veterinary students, and/or house officers in performing daily treatments for hospitalized patients.
• Aids the veterinarian in ensuring medication/treatment compliance for chronic medications and/or treatments being performed by Animal Care Staff for animals outside the hospital.
• Exhibits proficiency in full range of veterinary nursing skills, including but not limited to phlebotomy, automated hematology and chemistry, identification of fecal parasites, intubation, IV/IO catheter placement, radiographs, dental prophylaxis, basic wound care, gavage feeding, fluid therapy, effective anesthetic monitoring 
• (manual & equipment-based), and CPR/emergency procedures under supervision of the veterinarian.
• Participates in operant conditioning/training events with Animal Care Staff and veterinarian.
• Maintains function and sterility of surgical instruments, performing surgical instrument cleaning, lubrication, and appropriate packing for autoclave.
• Maintains hospital tools and equipment/machinery in a scheduled, routine fashion to ensure proper function and use.
• Aids communication with other institutions regarding medical records and pre-shipment needs for animal transfers.
• Aids quarantine scheduling, entry, and exit procedures with veterinarian and Animal Care Staff.
• Aids sample collection during necropsy, clean up post procedure, and prep of bodies for disposal.
• Participates in daily rounds of active cases.
• Initiates maintenance requests when needed for the hospital, and tracks progress of repairs/submitted work orders to completion.
• Maintains hospital golf cart.
• Performs monthly inspection reports of hospital.
• Presents oral and written reports.
• Acts as a liaison to the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine to mentor veterinary students and veterinary house officers (LSU interns & residents) during zoo externships

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties as requested by his or her supervisor.  This is a full-time position, generally, 5 days per week, 8 hours per day with a 1- hour lunch break daily, and overtime as required. Some evening, weekend, and holiday work is required

Salary : $32,386 - $51,813