Hospital Supervisor

The Hospital Supervisor position is a new position and will be an integral member of the Animal Health team in management of the Animal Health medical programing at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium and the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park. This position has responsibilities encompassing every aspect of zoological medicine and joins a team of 6 veterinarians, 5 veterinary technicians, 1 hospital keeper, and 1 hospital administrator. This position reports directly to the Director of Animal Health and provides supervisory support to the veterinary technicians, hospital keeper, and hospital administrator. This position works directly with Animal Care staff to ensure our veterinary program meets all regulatory and industry accrediting bodies.

Duties and Responsibilities (include but not limited to):

• Assist the Director of Animal Health in overseeing the medical program to ensure that all preventative, routine, and emergency medical care is provided to all the Zoo, Aquarium, and Safari Park animals.
• Attend and participate in daily morning/ afternoon rounds, weekly animal affairs meeting, and monthly Animal Health staff meetings to ensure that Animal Care departments receive timely, effective communication.
• Work with technicians, hospital keeper, and hospital administrator in their professional development through one-on-one meetings for direct feedback, as well as helping create Individual Development Plans.
• Provide daily supervision of Animal Health clinical case management as well as oversee veterinary technician support of pathology programming.
• Oversee quarantine programming (transport, husbandry, records, etc.) and husbandry of hospitalized patients through direct support of the hospital keeper and technicians. Support animal transitions to Animal Care areas through direct communication with area Curators and Supervisors.
• Work directly with the Hospital Administrator to ensure that all medical records and regulatory information is entered into medical software in a timely manner and meet all local, state, and federal regulations and industry accreditations.
• Work directly with Lead Veterinary Technician to develop and maintain skills-training/ review program for veterinary technicians.
• Create detailed animal health policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure industry best practices.
• Develop and oversee planning and implementation of safety protocols for animal-related emergencies involving staff or guests.
• Assist Lead Veterinary Technician with additional hospital programming (plasma bank, radiology safety, animal training programming, etc.).
• Assist Lead Veterinary Technician in the maintenance of hospital programming including supply management and hospital standards (i.e. cleaning and disinfection) are being maintained.
• Prepare for and assist with veterinary examinations with an emphasis on monitoring and anesthesia (cardiopulmonary support and monitoring) and perform diagnostics (phlebotomy, radiographs, 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.
• Oversee pharmacy program maintenance by ensuring all medications are inventoried within date along with filling prescriptions.
• Assist in controlled drug tracking and documentation in accordance with internal protocols to meet regulatory standards.
• Oversee hospital equipment maintenance schedules and ensure equipment is in ready-to-use condition.
• Provide guidance and mentorship for visiting veterinary students, technicians, 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 Director of Animal Health.

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.) and/or certification as a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Zoo medicine is preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years full-time experience working as a licensed veterinarian technician in a zoological or wildlife rehabilitation setting.
• Must have demonstrable leadership, supervisory and management experience, equivalent to at least 4 years of experience managing a complex veterinary technician team. Additional education or certification in hospital management or leadership preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of established principles and best practices of Zoo and aquarium animal medicine, including safety, animal restraint, dangerous drug administration, record keeping and observation skills.
• 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 a diverse and varied audiences and bring action to support an initiative or program.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations and guidelines relating to the application of veterinary medicine in zoological parks and related programs.
• Must possess high emotional intelligence, and situational awareness.
• Strong Computer skills, including Microsoft Office, preferred.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid state driver’s license.
• Proof of negative TB Screening and up to date Rabies vaccination.
• Must have the willingness and ability to function as a team member in a fast-paced environment with a high caseload.
• Candidates might be (depending on position) required to pass a pre-employment background check, drug test, negative skin tuberculosis test, and possess a valid driver’s license with a good history.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

• Will lift, 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 amount 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 disease
• 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 an 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.