Veterinary Technician

$23 - $25/Yr

Aza - Niagara Falls, NY

Full-time - Entry Level

Niagara Falls, NY

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations

About the position

This support staff position reports to the Veterinarian. This position requires an experience across a wide diversity of animals (pinnipeds, fish, elasmobranchs, penguins, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates) to join our veterinary team in providing medical care, including a comprehensive preventative health care program, to the animals in our care.

Responsibilities

• Assist the veterinary staff in the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions, disease, injury, and health maintenance of all animals at the Aquarium.
• Following the directions of the veterinarians, while often working independently, perform minor medical procedures, diagnostic tests, and carry out prescribed treatments and therapies.
• Assist Registrar and Animal Health Manager in creating and maintaining accurate case documentation in the medical record keeping system (ZIMS) and other relevant databases.
• Monitor and observe the behavior and condition of animal patients, as well as their health indicators and clinical signs, and appropriately report to the veterinarians.
• Maintain and perform skills for a variety of sample collection techniques, sample preparation to send out to external diagnostic labs, in-house laboratory testing, and other diagnostics tests.
• Properly utilize equipment such as: portable digital radiograph system, ultrasound, endoscopy, i-STAT; therapeutic laser, centrifuges.
• Conduct diagnostic imaging, including patient positioning, exposure techniques, ALARA, properly hanging and uploading images for veterinarian review.
• Prepare for regular veterinary exams and rounds with all needed equipment and supplies. Assist veterinary staff with examinations, recording, and communicating treatment plans to animal care staff.
• Under direct supervision of the Aquarium veterinarians, assist with procedures and surgery requiring intubation, ventilator use, sedation and/or anesthesia. Perform pre- and post-op surgery duties; prepare and set-up anesthesia and surgery equipment; administer anesthesia and monitor animals' response adjusting dosages as indicated; sterile prep of animals and equipment; scrub in as a surgical assistant; recovery and post-op monitoring; supportive care.
• Accurately calculate dosages, prepare, and administer medications, fluids, and other treatments, as prescribed by the Aquarium veterinarians. Dispense prescribed medications and assist in maintaining animal staff training schedule for medical administration protocols.
• Perform and/or assist with euthanasia as directed by the Aquarium veterinarians.
• Perform and/or assist with necropsies, post-mortem sampling, data collection and disposal.
• Maintain needed supplies and equipment for the department including inventory of medical supplies, medications, and dispensed medications, controlled drugs, etc.
• Create SOP's for cleaning and sterilizing instruments and materials, veterinary equipment and machines and maintain daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning and maintenance schedules and logs.
• Assist in developing protocols for vet staff and the training of other staff, volunteers, and interns.
• Ensure veterinary protocols are adhered to and required staff safety training is updated according to approved schedules.
• Adhere to all regulations, standards and guidelines of OSHA, USDA, DEA, AZA and New York State Office of the Professions, ensuring compliance in all areas.
• Coordinate with veterinary team in carrying out daily/week medical care plans, communicating and scheduling with animal care staff as needed.
• Communicate regularly with veterinary and zoological operations staff regarding the status of medical cases (medical procedures, treatments, diagnostics).
• Maintain quality standards through regular maintenance and cleaning activities; keep service areas and personal workspace clean and organized.
• Maintain courteous and professional demeanor in all interactions with volunteers, staff, collaborators, guests visiting the Aquarium, and the general public.
• Special projects and duties assigned by the Veterinarian.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in veterinary technology, animal sciences, biology, zoology, conservation, or another related field.
• New York Veterinary Technician License or ability to obtain within 90 days.
• Three (3) or more years of experience working as a licensed veterinary technician.
• One (1) or more years working in an animal care related position at an aquarium, zoo, wildlife facility.
• Prior experience working as a veterinary technician in an avian or exotic pet veterinary practice.
• Prior experience working with sea turtles, teleosts, elasmobranchs, or marine mammals.
• Knowledge and experience performing basic live animal diagnostic tests including collecting and recording vital signs, blood draw and preparation, use if portable blood gas analyzers such as i-STAT, digital radiograph safety and technique.
• Experience with public speaking or guest engagement (e.g. oral presentations, guest experiences or tours) and communicating biological or veterinary concepts and conservation messaging.
• Experience working in and around water.
• Strong listening, communication, retention, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain highest levels of professionalism and a positive attitude, as a representative of Aquarium of Niagara.
• Ability and willingness to both provide and follow direction and procedures from other staff to ensure the health and safety of staff, volunteers and animal patients, and to ensure compliance to laws and guidelines.

Benefits

• Salary: $23.00-$25.00/per hour