Senior Veterinary Technician

Job DetailsJob Location: Omaha Zoo - Omaha, NE 68107Position Type: Full TimeJob Category: Veterinary ServicesJob Title: Senior Veterinary Technician FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Classification: Full-Time Hours: Scheduled days likely Tuesday - Saturday Pay Rate: Range starts at $20.49/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 Senior Veterinary Technician is a key member of our team and will join a team of skilled veterinary technicians and veterinarians 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. 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 works in a newly renovated hospital at the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park and state of the art 32,000 square foot Bill and Bernice Grewcock Animal Hospital at the Zoo. The new zoo hospital features a sophisticated imaging suite, complete with a CT scanner, as well as enhanced laboratory facilities. This position includes a comprehensive benefit package, ongoing CE/licensure/association support, and full uniform provision, and it reports to the Hospital Supervisor. Duties and Responsibilities (include but not limited to): Provide veterinary technician support to provide excellent preventative, routine, and emergency care to all the Zoo, Aquarium, and Safari Park animals. Assist Lead Veterinary Technicians in the development and maintenance of skills-training programs for veterinary technicians. Assist in the development and maintenance of hospital related programming (plasma bank, radiology safety, animal training programming, etc.) under the guidance of the Lead Veterinary Technicians and Hospital Supervisor. Assist in the maintenance of the hospital including supply management, equipment care and disinfection protocols. Prepare for and assist with veterinary examinations with an emphasis on monitoring and anesthesia (cardiopulmonary support and monitoring) and perform diagnostics (phlebotomy, radiographs, CT studies, blood work, fecals, cytologies, etc.). Provide clinical laboratory support through in-house diagnostics (fecals, urinalysis, CBCs, biochemistry and cytologies) and sample submission to outside laboratories. Maintain sample storage programming set forth by Hospital Supervisor and Lead Technicians. Provide daily care, observation and monitoring of hospitalized cases including feeding, cleaning, enrichment, and training. Support and, as needed, fill in for hospital keeper to provide animal care for the quarantine areas, hospitalized patients and neonates being hand raised. Assist animal care professionals in the operant conditioning of animals for medical behaviors. Assist with pharmacy programs by filling prescriptions and assisting with inventory management and medication expiration dates.   Provide general support to the Animal Health department ensuring all documentation and medical records meet regulatory requirements, and are accurate, completed in a timely manner and accessible. Assist in controlled drug tracking and documentation in accordance with internal protocols to meet regulatory standards. Perform hospital equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, and ensure equipment is in ready-to-use condition. Attends and participates in daily rounds, general employee staff meetings and Animal Health staff meetings. Provide guidance and mentorship for visiting veterinary students, Zoo Academy students, veterinary technician students 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 and Lead Technicians. Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Must have earned a degree from an AVMA accredited veterinary technician program and must have successfully passed the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Examination). Bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology/nursing or a related field (zoology, biology, animal science, etc.) is preferred. Minimum of 5 years full-time experience working as a licensed veterinary technician in a zoological or wildlife rehabilitation setting. Able to work in a team environment with animal care staff and other departments and foster trust-based relationships. Communication skills sufficient to convey complex biological and scientific concepts to diverse and varied audiences and bring action to support an initiative or program. 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. Candidates will be required to pass a pre-employment background check, drug test, negative TB test, possess an up-to-date rabies vaccination, and possess a valid driver’s license with a good history. Working Conditions and Physical Effort: Will life, 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 amounts 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 diseases. 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 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. Qualifications