The Virginia Aquarium’s Veterinary Science & Research section is seeking a Licensed Veterinary Technician with experience with a wide diversity of animals (fish, elasmobranchs, reptiles, birds, terrestrial and marine mammals) to join the veterinary team in providing medical care, including a comprehensive preventative health care program, to the Aquarium’s resident animals.
Duties:
- Assist the veterinary staff in the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions, disease, injury, and health maintenance of all animals at the Virginia Aquarium.
- Following the directions of senior veterinary staff (or approved protocols) while often working independently, perform minor medical procedures, diagnostic tests, and carry out prescribed treatments and therapies.
- Create and maintain 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.
- Assist the Lead Veterinary Technician – Hospital Manager, in maintaining needed supplies and equipment across several Aquarium facilities:
- Monitor and report inventory of medical supplies, medications, and dispensed medications.
- Maintain controlled drugs logs.
- Clean and sterilize instruments and materials.
- Maintain veterinary equipment and machines.
- Daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning and maintenance.
- 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 Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine, 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 the Hospital Manager, and Veterinarians 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.
- Perform other job duties requiring skills, knowledge and physical requirements as demanded by those duties described. Individual assignments will be determined by the supervisor based on current workloads and department needs.
Work Schedule:
- 5 days per week, 8-hour day shifts including up to one weekend day per week, and rotational standby coverage.
- Schedule may change seasonally or annually depending on program needs.
- Must be available to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime when required to meet operational needs.
Preferences:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in veterinary technology, animal sciences, biology, zoology, conservation, or another related field.
- 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 the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, and the City of Virginia Beach.
- 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.
- The City of Virginia Beach offers a generous benefits package such as health, dental and life insurance, retirement and savings plans.
- Other key benefits include:
Maternity/Paternity and Parental Leave
- Leave Donation Program
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Employee Assistant Program
- Professional Development
Experience Required
- Must have a current license, in good standing, to practice as a veterinary technician in Virginia in accordance with Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine eligibility requirements prior to first day of employment.
- This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to mandatory drug testing and annual exams.
- Positive drug test results may result in counseling and/or discipline, up to and including, termination. Successful completion of a pre-employment physical.
- Upon hire, the selected candidate will be required to receive rabies pre-exposure vaccination provided by the City of Virginia Beach Occupational Safety and Health Services.
Further Comments
- This vacancy announcement is being reposted to expand the applicant selection pool.
- If you have already submitted an application you do not need to reapply.
- This position is open until filled.
- Applications will be accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Perks
- https://virginia-beach-departments-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/city/Careers/Full-time-Employee-Benefits.pdf
Salary
- Pay Range: G.18, $39,328.30 - $60,958.87
