Veterinary Technician

Veterinary Technician

The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is looking for a skilled and dedicated Veterinary Technician to join our dynamic veterinary team. In this role, you’ll play a key part in providing exceptional medical care to a diverse range of species at our Zoo, Aquarium, and International Conservation Center. Experience [LK1] with aquatic, avian, herptile, non-human primate, megavertebrate, mammal, and invertebrate species preferred, including potentially dangerous animals. 

Essential Job Functions

• Under general supervision, assist veterinarians in clinical procedures:

1. Prepare treatment area or surgery room with appropriate instruments, monitoring equipment, and emergency supplies
2.  Assist in safe and appropriate manual and chemical animal restraint techniques

• Perform as surgical nurse or anesthetist as directed
• Administer medical treatments, collect biological samples, and maintain organized anesthesia records
• Use advanced imaging equipment to produce diagnostic quality studies
• Perform cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of surgical instruments, medical equipment, and all hospital and operating areas to ensure the zoo hospital maintains a clean and orderly condition

1. Follow protocols to assist in responding to veterinary and animal emergencies

• Operate and maintain the clinical pathology laboratory[LK2] , including but not limited to:
  • Testing of manual hematology, automated biochemistry analysis, fecal analysis, urinalysis, and cytology
  • Sample preparation and shipment to outside laboratories

1. Sample banking

• Maintain accurate and comprehensive medical records[LK3] 

• Prepare, dispense, and administer prescribed medications following appropriate labeling and controlled drug regulations 
• Contribute to the daily care and treatment of hospitalized, neonatal, and critical patients[LK4] 
• Assist hospital assistants in the care of Quarantine animals
• Participate in operant conditioning training for medical behaviors and procedures as required by medical needs and as directed by the veterinarians
• Understand and be prepared for Emergency Codes
• Provide occasional assistance with nuisance wildlife
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Maintain active membership in the Association of Zoological Veterinary Technicians (AZVT)

• Reports directly to the Lead Veterinary Technician and supports the Animal Health Team

• Perform other duties as assigned
• Must demonstrate knowledge of occupational hazards and consistently apply appropriate safety practices while in proximity of potentially dangerous animals or hazardous substances

Qualifications

• Degree in Veterinary Technology from an AVMA accredited institution
• Current Pennsylvania veterinary technician license in good standing, or the ability to transfer a current license to Pennsylvania within three months of hire
• Maintain veterinary technician license with continuing education and ethics
• Minimum 2 years of veterinary technician experience in a clinical setting, with experience with zoo/exotic/aquatic species preferred

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); ZIMS experience preferred

Requirements

• Valid driver's license
• Must obtain rabies vaccination prior to hire date. Must be willing to participate in rabies titer testing as requested by facility during employment
• Must provide proof of negative TB test within 1 year prior to hire date
• Ability to work outside in a variety of weather conditions
• ·         Manual dexterity is required to operate machinery, equipment and restraining devices, including restraint nets, pathology supplies, personal computers, etc.
• Must be physically able to exert up to ten pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects
• Work involves standing, walking, bending, reaching, crawling, crouching, etc. for periods of time
• Must be able to lift and/or carry weights of fifty to seventy pounds[LK5] 
• Must be willing to always carry work-provided communication devices on person during work shifts
• Position may require occasional off-site driving