Lead Veterinary Technician

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium (OHDZA) is a leader in animal care and its mission is to inspire, educate and engage people to serve as lifelong stewards for animals and their habitats. The Lead Veterinary Technician will support our mission by assisting the Director of Animal Health in management of a high quality veterinary medical program for our animals through oversight of daily clinical operations 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 5 veterinarians, 6 veterinary technicians, 1 hospital keeper, and 1 hospital administrator.
• This position reports directly to the Hospital Supervisor.
• The position will be officed in a brand new, state of the art 34,000 square foot Grewcock Animal Hospital when completed and will also have responsibilities in our newly renovated hospital at the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park.

Duties and Responsibilities (include but not limited to):

• Assist the Director of Animal Health/Hospital Supervisor in leading the veterinary technician team to provide excellent preventative, routine, and emergency care to all of the Zoo, Aquarium, and Safari Park animals.
• Provide daily work direction and assist with technician staff training/evaluation.
• This includes the clinical and gross pathology programming at both facilities.
• Assist with supervision, evaluation, and mentoring of veterinary technicians including licensing and continuing education requirements.
• Under the direction of the Hospital Supervisor, develop and maintain skills-training/review program for veterinary technicians.
• Assist with providing monthly veterinary technician scheduling and oversee daily veterinary technician clinical activities/responsibilities.
• Assist with creating detailed animal health policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure industry best practices. In addition, actively participate in planning and implementation of safety protocols for animal-related emergencies involving staff or guests.
• Oversee and guide programming lead by veterinary technicians (plasma bank, radiology safety, animal training programming, etc.).
• Oversee 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.
• Assist veterinary technicians in maintaining sample organization and storage.
• Provide daily care, observation and monitoring of hospitalized cases including feeding, cleaning, enrichment, and training.
• Support and, as needed, fill in for hospital keeper to provide animal care for the quarantine areas, hospitalized patients and neonates being hand raised.
• Work with technicians alongside animal care professionals to assist in the operant conditioning of animals for medical behaviors.
• Assist with pharmacy program maintenance by ensuring all medications are inventoried within date along with filling prescriptions.
• Provide general support to the animal health department ensuring all documentation and records are accurate, completed in a timely manner and accessible and all regulatory requirements are met.
• 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.
• Attends and participates in daily morning/afternoon rounds and monthly Animal Health staff meetings.
• 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/ Senior Veterinarian.

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 Veterinarian technology/nursing or a related field (zoology, biology, animal science, etc.) and/or certification as a Veterinarian 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.
• 2 years in a leadership position on a complex veterinary technician team.
• 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.