Lead Veterinary Technician

Summary:

The Lead Veterinary Technician is a member of the Veterinary Care Team and assists in the overall administration and management of the animal health program and the Tennity Wildlife Hospital. This person has a minimum of 2 years experience working as a veterinary technician in a zoo setting and is a motivated energetic and positive team player with strong organizational and leadership skills. This person works closely with the veterinarians to ensure the utmost animal welfare and highest standards of medical care for TLDs animals.

The Lead Veterinary Technician is part of the management team at TLD. As such this person must be an enthusiastic individual with strong medical decision making and leadership skills who can work effectively with all levels of staff. This person must have the ability to make good decisions regarding the welfare of animals team members and guests.

The Veterinary Care Team:

Practices high quality medicine and maintains exceptional professional standards.

Has great enthusiasm for the profession of zoological medicine.

Adheres to the highest animal welfare standards and works well in a team.

Performs all job assignments with a positive attitude that will move TLD into the future.

The Lead Veterinary Technician will support the zoo in our mission To support desert conservation through preservation education and appreciation and will help the zoo achieve a forwardthinking vision of a modern zoo and inclusive culture.

Lead Technician Duties and Responsibilities:

Oversee and manage drug supply and equipment inventory with consultation of Head Veterinarian. Remove all expired medications from drug inventory monthly.

o Dispose of expired medications properly on a routine basis.

Manage controlled and ensure are properly inventoried and the drug logs are compliant with DEA standards.

o Perform drug audits on a routine basis.

Manage the following aspects of the Preventative Health Program under the direction of veterinarians:

o Vaccination schedule

o Anthelmintic schedule

o Fecal schedule

o Beak and nail trim schedule

o The Lead Veterinary Technician may delegate these duties to other veterinary technicians while providing supervision and support to those technicians

Maintain and update the Master Prevention Log as needed.

o Research and discuss with Head Veterinarian preventative protocols for new species.

Manage long term medication dispensing and compliance under the direction of veterinarians.

Manage chronic case followup under the direction of veterinarians.

Manage technician hospital projects including educational Tech Talks for TLD team members delegating as needed.

Is the primary oncall technician for afterhours emergencies able to delegate oncall duties appropriately with other technicians

Attend and participate in weekly Vet/Animal Care Team meetings especially with a primary role to manage hospital procedure schedule/calendar

Schedule and lead staff meetings and group projects.

Have weekly meetings with Head Veterinarian and act as liaison between veterinarians and technicians.

Implement and oversee the Veterinary Technician volunteer program.

Oversee the writing and implementation of new hospital SOPs.

Maintain key box protocol.

Manage necropsy log and ensure timely disposal of carcasses.

Provide mentorship training and feedback to fellow veterinary technicians and veterinary students.

Assist Head Veterinarian with Technician appraisals.

Submit work orders for the hospital as needed.

Perform quarterly checkins/progress assessments with Technicians.

Approve and edit veterinary technician timecards

Is the primary veterinary representative to provide veterinary updates at the regularly scheduled Animal Department meetings

May be required to participate in afterhours zoowide events as part of the management team

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

Deliver uncompromising excellence in animal care welfare and guest engagement.

Provide medical treatments and nursing care to hospitalized animals.

Perform medical treatments for outpatient animals on zoo grounds.

Perform standard technical skills during exams and procedures including but not limited to vital sign monitoring/recording anesthesia catheter placement venipuncture treatments pharmaceutical calculations dental prophylaxis radiographs etc.

Perform laboratory work including fecal centrifugation CBC biochemistries cytology and urinalysis.

Process and send laboratory samples; may include research to locate laboratories for specific testing.

Serve as a member of the animal escape dart team with the ability to use all tranquilization equipment in the event of an animal escape.

Evaluate the health status of an animal and contact the veterinarian as necessary.

o Treat animals in shock or cardiac arrest until veterinarian arrives.

Ensure all hospital work areas and equipment are always clean and ready for an emergency.

Maintain emergency equipment and supplies (including emergency medications).

Order medication and supplies.

Monitor medication administration compliance with Animal Care staff.

Schedule routine equipment maintenance and repairs as needed.

Maintain timely and accurate medical records in ZIMS.

Preform preparation and sterilization of surgical instruments and other equipment.

Preform basic restraint of animals for examination by veterinarians.

Document and file SDS sheets for all chemicals used by veterinary services.

Coordinate with animal care team to implement operant conditioning for veterinary procedures such as injections and venipuncture.

Ensure necropsy room is cleaned and adequately stocked.

Aid other departments as needed.

Other related responsibilities as necessary to accomplish department objectives.

General Skills and Requirements:

Liaison between Supervisors and Animal Care Team as needed.

Strong leadership organizational problemsolving observational and communication skills.

Maintain open communications with Animal Care Team and Veterinary Care Team.

Actively participate in discussions of how to move the animal care/veterinary department and TLD forward.

Emergency situations be able to remain calm. Give and receive instructions succinctly and stabilize an animal in the absence of a veterinarian (including tranquilization transport emergency treatment).

Maintain a safe and productive workplace for animals guests and staff.

Have knowledge of contemporary practice standards of zoo veterinary care particularly as established by the AAZV and as practiced in AZA Accredited institutions.

Be familiar with the State of Californias regulations and standards that apply to the practice of veterinary medicine in California.

Have knowledge of zoonotic diseases that may affect the collection animals personnel and guests.

Ability to work safely with potentially dangerous animals.

Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.

Be a motivated selfstarted who needs minimal supervision and can work well in a team setting.

Ability to make independent decisions in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Able to interact with guests courteously and effectively while representing The Living Desert at the highest standard of professionalism.

Equipment Used:

PC computer general office equipment telephone radio electric cart vehicles xray machine xray processor autoclave anesthesia machine pulse oximeter ECG machine ISTAT dental unit miscellaneous medical equipment pepper spray (Counter Bear Deterrent) rake shovel wheelbarrow catch pole capture net baffle board snake hook weight scale garden hose small handheld and power tools such as hammer screwdriver wire cutters etc.

Working Conditions:

Standing walking twisting climbing crawling kneeling reaching motions lifting (up to 50#

Exposure to extreme heat chemicals and dust/airborne materials.

Works with potentially dangerous animals (large ungulates carnivores venomous snakes)

Holiday evening weekend work required. Available on as needed basis for emergencies and events.

Travel opportunities for conferences workshops and/or conservation projects as appropriate. Some or all expenses paid.

To apply for this position: Qualified applicants must apply with resume three 3 references and cover letter. The cover letter should include how you will be key in moving the Animal Department forward and how you will move The Living Desert mission forward. Positions will be open until filled.

Desert Conservation Through Preservation Education and Appreciation.