Veterinary Technician - Potter Park Zoo

**Applications are accepted until there are sufficient numbers of qualified applications or qualified candidate has been identified. The position could possibly close at any time.***

Under the direct and indirect supervision of the Veterinarian, the veterinary technician performs a variety of specialized duties involved in the medical management of the animal collection, daily clinical operations and maintenance of the hospital facilities, equipment and records. General functions of the position include: to provide advanced clinical support to the Veterinarian in the delivery of health care to a wide variety of exotic and non-exotic animals; perform clinical laboratory testing, overs proper care, organization to sick or traumatized animals.

• Responsible for the maintenance and care of the hospital and its equipment to include care, repair and cleaning, mopping, laundry, disposal of garbage and bio-hazardous waste. Properly clean, disinfect and prepare items for both steam and ethylene oxide gas sterilization safely and effectively.
• Provide nursing care, administer treatments, therapies, and bandage changes and address other active clinical cases within the collection.
• Collect and process lab specimens from a wide variety of zoo animals; run complete highly specialized analysis of samples to include but not limited to; parasite checks, cytology, urinalysis, fungal cultures, manual hematology counts on mammals, avian, reptiles and amphibian patients; distribute samples to proper clinical pathology laboratories following appropriate regulations for shipping biological samples; communicate technically with lab specialists based on veterinarian’s needs.
• Supervise and teach veterinary technician students, veterinary students, interns and volunteers.
• Responsible for ordering and monitoring supplies, drugs and medical equipment. Performs related activities such as tracking drug expirations, logging controlled drugs. Responsible for proper disposal of controlled and non-controlled drugs. Monitor incoming orders with invoices, codes and submits invoices to veterinarian. Makes sure all vendors used are registered with the county, if not, take proper steps to ensure that happens. Communicates with vendors regarding invoices and billing issues.
• Perform routine data entry in ZIMS Medical Records System. Fill out AZA Contraception Survey, write protocols, and gather information as requested by veterinarian.
• Demonstrate advanced understanding of radiology equipment, technique, and positioning for a wide variety of species in order to obtain quality diagnostic images, and the ability to troubleshoot problems with equipment. Maintain radiograph back-ups as required by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
• Assist veterinarian in all aspects of zoo medical procedures, particularly routine physical examinations, immobilizations, anesthesia, radiology, treatment, dentistry, preventive medicine, and surgery.
• Work with keepers on training animals to present voluntary behaviors for medical procedures.
• Preparation and cleanup of procedures, immobilizations and the needs of the veterinarians. Perform anesthesia, anesthesia monitoring, and other assigned procedures with limited veterinary supervision. Assist veterinarian with necropsy and pathology procedures; perform some necropsies and diagnostic sampling independently.
• Perform and interpret advanced pharmacological calculations to ensure proper and accurate drug dosing. Create prescription compliance form and dispense properly labeled medications.
• Participate in approved research and support institutional scientific research and conservation.
• Participates in birthing plans and preparation, hand raising of animals.

• During a public health emergency, the employee may be required to perform duties similar to, but not limited, to those in his/her job description.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Must adhere to departmental standards in regard to HIPAA and other privacy issues.

Education: Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology from an American Veterinary Medical Association Accredited Veterinary Technology Program

Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of experience working as a veterinary technician.

Other Requirements:

• Experience with exotics, zoo internship/externship preferred
• Must be licensed as a Veterinary Technician in the State of Michigan or have the ability to obtain within six (6) months of date of hire
• Must have and maintain a valid Michigan Drivers License

Working Conditions:

• This position is required to travel for meetings and appointments. Some appointments may be held at personal residences where levels of cleanliness and safety vary.
• This position operates power hand tools such as drills, sanders, grinders, staple guns, chainsaws, air compressors, mowers, etc.
• This position operates non-powered hand tools such as utility knives, hammers, pliers, wrenches, screwdrivers, chisels, saws, etc.
• This position is exposed to variety of hazards such as traffic, moving vehicles, moving mechanical parts, electrical current, slippery surfaces, chemicals, cleaning solutions, oils, hazardous materials, etc.
• This position is exposed to air quality conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, poor ventilation, etc.
• This position works in both an indoor and outdoor environment. While indoors, there is no planned exposure to notable lights, noises, odors, temperatures or weather conditions. While outdoors, exposure to lights, noises, odors, temperatures or weather conditions cannot be controlled and may be extreme.
• This position is exposed to noise levels which require shouting in order to be heard.
• This position works closely with domestic and wild animals with unpredictable temperaments.
• This position operates a variety of vehicles including cars, trucks, tractors, forklifts, cranes, hoists, bucket trucks, etc.
• This position is exposed to communicable diseases, blood, other body fluids, etc.
• This position is exposed to close quarters which could cause claustrophobia such as crawl spaces, narrow passage ways, shafts, enclosed rooms, manholes, pipelines, etc.
• This position is provided, and required to use, Personal Protection Equipment to minimize the risks associated with the working conditions listed above.

Physical Requirements:

• This position requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, traverse, climb, balance, twist, bend, stoop/crouch, squat, kneel, crawl, lift, carry, push, pull, reach, grasp, handle, pinch, type, endure repetitive movements of the wrists, hands or fingers.
• This position primarily requires medium visual acuity to perform tasks at arm’s reach such as operating machinery, operating vehicles or heavy equipment, performing cleaning tasks, etc.
• This position performs medium work requiring the ability to exert between 20-50 pounds of force in the physical requirements above.
• This position’s physical requirements require continuous stamina in standing, walking, traversing, twisting, bending, squatting, kneeling, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, reaching, grasping, typing and enduring repetitive movements of the wrists, hands or fingers
• This position requires the ability to operate a PC/laptop and to enter & retrieve information from a computer.
• This position requires the ability to communicate and respond to inquiries both in person and over the phone.
• This position’s physical requirements require regular stamina in sitting, climbing, balancing, stooping/crouching, crawling, handling and pinching
• This position requires the ability to handle varying and often high levels of stress.

(This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. These include, but are not limited to, the requirements listed above. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements.)

March 2018

UAW Zoo Level III

UAW Zoo 600 - Prev

This position is benefited and is subject to the UAW - ZOO CBA.

Ingham County offers a wide range of benefits to support you in your career.