Veterinary Technician

Job Title: Veterinary Technician

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Classification: Full-time

Hours: Sunday - Thursday; 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM (subject to change based on need)

Pay Rate: Range starts at $18.62/hour

Summary

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium (OHDZA) is a leader in animal care and its mission is to inspire, educate and engage people to serve as lifelong stewards for animals and their habitats. The Veterinary Technician is a key member of our team and will join the Animal Health team consisting of a pathology technician, five clinical veterinary technicians, five associate veterinarians, a veterinary resident, hospital keeper, hospital coordinator, Hospital Supervisor and a Director of Animal Health to support a high quality veterinary medical program for our animals at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium and the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park.

This position will be based in our brand-new, state-of-the-art 32,000 square foot Bill and Bernice Grewcock Animal Hospital. The role also assists with veterinary operations in a newly renovated hospital within the Lee G Simmons Wildlife Safari Park. The zoo’s new hospital features an updated imaging suite, including a CT scanner, and expanded onsite clinical laboratory capabilities. The facility includes a large viewing room for our surgical suite, 2 treatment rooms, and an advanced imaging area that is utilized for programming for our onsite Education programs, including post-graduate training.

OHDZA offers an exceptional opportunity for individuals to work in a unique setting that encompasses a zoo, aquarium and safari park within one company. This position includes a comprehensive benefit package, ongoing CE/licensure/association support, and full uniform provision. It reports directly to the Hospital Supervisor.

Duties and Responsibilities (includes but not limited to) :

• Collaborate with the veterinary technician team to provide clinical support to provide excellent preventative, routine, and emergency care to all of the Zoo, Aquarium, and Safari Park animals.
• Assist animal care professionals in the operant conditioning of animals for medical behaviors.
• Assist in the maintenance of hospital programming through supply management, equipment care, hospital cleaning/disinfection and readiness.
• Prepare for and assist with veterinary examinations with an emphasis on monitoring anesthesia (cardiopulmonary support and monitoring) and performing diagnostics (phlebotomy, radiographs, CT exams, blood work, fecals, cytologies, etc.).
• Provide clinical laboratory support through in-house manual and point-of-care diagnostics (e.g. fecals, urinalysis, CBCs, biochemistry and cytologies) and sample submission to outside laboratories.
• Provide husbandry assistance for hand-rearing neonates as needed in collaboration with Hospital Keeper.
• Participate in maintaining a high-volume sample storage program.
• Provide daily care, observation and monitoring of hospitalized cases including feeding, cleaning, enrichment, and training.
• Assist with the pharmacy program by filling prescriptions and assist the Hospital Supervisor and Lead Veterinary Technicians with inventory and medication expiration dates.
• Provide general support to the animal health department ensuring all documentation and records are accurate, completed in a timely manner and accessible and all regulatory requirements are met.
• Assist in controlled drug tracking and documentation in accordance with internal protocols to meet regulatory standards.
• Perform hospital equipment maintenance and ensure equipment is in ready-to-use condition.
• Attends and participates in daily morning/afternoon rounds, and Animal Health staff meetings.
• Participate in skills-training/review program for veterinary technicians.
• Provide guidance and mentorship for visiting veterinary students, Zoo Academy students, veterinary resident and interns, as needed.
• Perform other duties as needed to ensure the care of the animals in the collection, the smooth functioning of the department, and/or the reputation of the zoo as directed by the Hospital Supervisor, Veterinarians and the Lead Veterinary Technicians.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Must have earned a degree from an AVMA accredited veterinary technician program and must have successfully passed the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Examination).
• Must have the ability to obtain a registered veterinary technician license from the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Board within 6 months of the hire date.
• Able to work in a team environment with animal care staff and other departments and foster trust-based relationships.
• Must have the willingness and ability to function as a team member in a fast-paced environment with a high caseload.
• Must possess high emotional intelligence, and situational awareness.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, preferred.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid state driver’s license.

Candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment background check, drug test, negative TB test, possess a valid driver’s license with a good history, and obtain the rabies vaccine.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• Will lift, push, pull, and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 75 pounds using safe and proper lifting methods.
• Ability to frequently bend, stoop, crouch, kneel, reach upward, twist, and have good lateral movement.
• Ability to perform large amount of walking and walk up and down stairs.
• Ability to perform tasks requiring heavy use of arms, wrists, and exertion of upper body, arms, and hands to perform duties.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions year-round sometimes on uneven terrain.
• Ability to work with animals with potential zoonotic disease.
• Able to work with narcotics for use in animal immobilizations as well as pain control which can be life-threatening to humans.
• Willing to work a flexible schedule to include weekends, holidays and evening hours and in all weather conditions.
• Must be able to be on call as necessary.

DISCLAIMER

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor is it to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC.