Do you have a passion for exotic animal medicine? Do you want to join a dynamic team practicing and teaching the highest standards of veterinary medicine? Do you want to advance your technical skills and work in an environment with leading veterinary specialist experts? Do you want to be part of shaping the next generation of veterinarians? If so, we’d love to have you join us!

The Veterinary Teaching Hospital requires an Animal Health Technician to work in the Zoo, Exotic, and Wildlife service. The position will provide technical support for the Exotics Service, which is on clinics 50% of the year (exotics emergencies are also accepted at any time). Additional responsibilities will include support for the Wildlife Service, which runs 100% of the year, as well as primary Exotics and Zoo follow-up and client communication during off clinics time. This position will also provide secondary support to Community Practice, triage service, and the ICU, with the intention that they will offer support to those services with both exotics and small animal patients.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the direction of the Zoo, Exotics, and Wildlife clinician, this position will provide technical assistance to the Zoo, Exotics, and Wildlife veterinary medicine service. Job responsibilities will include:

• Assisting veterinarians in the medical care of all species (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates) of client owned exotic animals, wild animals, and animals from regional facilities (zoos, rehabilitation centers, other)
• Client/rDVM communication (in person, phone, email) including estimates, consent/history forms, client education, and discussion regarding husbandry, treatments, and follow-up
• Communicating with clinicians/technicians regarding case triage and treatments
• Provision of various levels of care including coordination and completion of animal treatments and ICU care, administering anesthesia under the direction of a veterinarian, and assisting in surgery and emergency care
• Monitoring animals and reporting to clinician any abnormalities
• Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of instruments, equipment, and service areas to maintain an orderly space and to maintain biosecurity
• Performing diagnostics (hematology, biochemistry, cytology, parasitology)
• Maintaining supplies including rotating inventory, removing expired products, stocking supplies, and ordering and organizing supplies
• Updating patient billing and assisting in the maintenance of medical records
• Practicing safe work practices with potentially dangerous animals or substances
• Supporting students and junior veterinarians and participating in post graduate programs with confidence and compassion
• Assisting in research programs related to exotic and wildlife species
• Work in a position of flux and change as part of a team within the VTH, including on call shifts on a rotational basis
• Other related duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate of an Animal Health Technician program from a recognized facility
• RVT designation and 3 plus years of experience working in a clinical setting
• Minimum of 1 year of Veterinary Zoo, Wildlife, and Exotics experience required with a preference to VTS specialization in Avian/Exotics or Zoo Medicine
• Experience in wildlife medicine, rehabilitation, and natural husbandry
• Training and experience with remote drug delivery systems
• Ability to handle and restrain a wide variety of species
• Ability to perform a variety of physical tasks that include but are not limited to climbing, bending, stooping, kneeling, twisting, reaching, crawling. Ability to work in small, confined spaces and in all weather (including adverse) conditions.
• Demonstrated ability to perform nursing skills for various levels of care required including sedation, monitoring, recovery, venipuncture, catheter placement, patient monitoring, patient preparation for surgical/medical procedures, treatment, technical assistance with exotics and small animal patients
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and response in emergency situations
• Excellent oral and written communication (including client) skills
• Demonstrated reliability, self-motivation, strong work ethic and a positive attitude
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Demonstrated skills in multi-tasking, time-management, and adaptability
• Strong computer skills, demonstrated ability in Windows and IOD
• Previous experience with computerized veterinary medical record systems (RxWorks and SmartFlow preferred)
• Current Rabies vaccination
• Valid driver’s license and able to maintain a good driving record