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 Senior Veterinary Technician is a key member of our team and will join a team of skilled veterinary technicians and veterinarians to support a high-quality veterinary medical program for our animals at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium and the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park.
- OHDZA offers an exceptional opportunity for individuals to work in a unique setting that encompasses a zoo, aquarium, and safari park within one company.
- This position works in a newly renovated hospital at the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park and state of the art 32,000 square foot Bill and Bernice Grewcock Animal Hospital at the Zoo.
- The new zoo hospital features a sophisticated imaging suite, complete with a CT scanner, as well as enhanced laboratory facilities.
- This position includes a comprehensive benefit package, ongoing CE/licensure/association support, and full uniform provision, and it reports to the Hospital Supervisor.
Duties and Responsibilities (include but not limited to):
- Provide veterinary technician support to provide excellent preventative, routine, and emergency care to all the Zoo, Aquarium, and Safari Park animals.
- Assist Lead Veterinary Technicians in the development and maintenance of skills-training programs for veterinary technicians.
- Assist in the development and maintenance of hospital related programming (plasma bank, radiology safety, animal training programming, etc.) under the guidance of the Lead Veterinary Technicians and Hospital Supervisor.
- Assist in the maintenance of the hospital including supply management, equipment care and disinfection protocols.
- Prepare for and assist with veterinary examinations with an emphasis on monitoring and anesthesia (cardiopulmonary support and monitoring) and perform diagnostics (phlebotomy, radiographs, CT studies, 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.
- Maintain sample storage programming set forth by Hospital Supervisor and Lead Technicians.
- 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.
- Assist animal care professionals in the operant conditioning of animals for medical behaviors.
- Assist with pharmacy programs by filling prescriptions and assisting with inventory management and medication expiration dates.
- Provide general support to the Animal Health department ensuring all documentation and medical records meet regulatory requirements, and are accurate, completed in a timely manner and accessible.
- Assist in controlled drug tracking and documentation in accordance with internal protocols to meet regulatory standards.
- Perform hospital equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, and ensure equipment is in ready-to-use condition.
- Attends and participates in daily rounds, general employee staff meetings and Animal Health staff meetings.
- Provide guidance and mentorship for visiting veterinary students, Zoo Academy students, veterinary technician students 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 Hospital Supervisor and Lead Technicians.
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.) is preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years full-time experience working as a licensed veterinary technician in a zoological or wildlife rehabilitation setting.
- 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 diverse and varied audiences and bring action to support an initiative or program.
- Must have the willingness and ability to function as a team member in a fast-paced environment with a high caseload.
- Must possess high emotional intelligence, and situational awareness.
- Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, preferred.
- Candidates will be required to pass a pre-employment background check, drug test, negative TB test, possess an up-to-date rabies vaccination, and possess a valid driver’s license with a good history.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort:
- Will life, 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 amounts 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 diseases.
- 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 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.
