Job Title: Senior Veterinary Technician
Job Department: Animal Health
Schedule: Full Time
Job Type: On-site
Location: National Aquarium Pier 3 501 E Pratt St Baltimore, MD 21202/ACRC 901 E. Fayette St Baltimore, MD 21202
JOB SUMMARY:
The National Aquarium is seeking a Senior Veterinary Technician to join our Animal Health Team. The Senior Veterinary Technician is responsible for providing exemplary clinical care for the National Aquarium’s diverse collection of invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and rehabilitating seals and sea turtles. Specifically, this includes the use of independent judgement and critical thinking while taking a leading role role in coordination of daily medical treatments, maintenance of the Animal Health clinical spaces, management of medical equipment, and assistance with training and mentorship of veterinary technicians and interns. The Senior Veterinary Technician works collaboratively as part of the Animal Health team on developing and implementing policies and procedures to meet the Association of Zoo and Aquariums (AZA) top tier standards. Provides rotating, on-call coverage for emergencies and after-hours medical treatment needs including admittance of Animal Rescue animals.
KEY REQUIREMENTS:
Essential responsibilities include:
• Prepares and dispenses medications while possessing advanced pharmacologic knowledge, including drug classes, routes of administration, common side effects, and storage requirements.
• Independently performs medical drug calculations and medication preparations including water immersion treatments, medicated gel foods, dilutions, fluid additives, and compounded formulations.
• Performs and teaches venipuncture on a variety of species.
• Coordinates and administers daily medical treatments and care, including the offsite facility.
• Leads in-house processing of laboratory samples, including sample transport to local partnering institutions. Runs critical bloodwork on an as needed basis after hours.
• Adheres to standard radiographic safety protocols when performing clinical radiographs of exotic animals, including proper technique, record keeping, and data management. Also responsible for training veterinary and husbandry staff members on these protocols.
• Assists with routine and emergency exams, including acting as a scrub or circulator for surgical procedures.
• Administers anesthesia including, monitoring, administration of drugs, intubation, and recovery under the direction of the veterinarian.
• Assists veterinarians with clinical necropsies onsite and with collaborating facilities and independently performs routine necropsies including cytologic evaluation as needed.
• Implements Controlled Substance standard operating procedures while working with class II-IV controlled drugs, adhering to Drug Enforcement Agency standard language under the direction of the Director of Animal Health.
• Directly responsible for operation, maintenance, and repair of medical equipment including but not limited to CR and DR radiology, ultrasound, scoping equipment, steam and gas sterilization, microscopes, anesthetic equipment, ventilators, electrocautery, and in-house laboratory equipment.
• As needed, provides 24-hour supportive care for critical medical cases outside of normal operating hours.
• Works cooperatively with all of Animal Care and Welfare (ACW). Acts as a liaison to relay medical histories and clinical case feedback to the veterinarians.
• Collaborates with the Animal Rescue department through strong team-based approaches and communications to provide exceptional medical care for rehabilitating seals and sea turtles.
• In the absence of a veterinarian or the hospital manager, acts as the departmental point of contact. Responsible for patient assessment, communication with veterinarian, as well as implementation of diagnostic and treatment plan. In emergent situations, coordinates initial response while communicating with a veterinarian.
• Serves as a mentor for veterinary technicians and interns including training of clinical skills and development of leadership competencies.
• Works collaboratively with the Hospital Manager in developing and implementing policies and procedures.
• Performs supply/medication inventories and purchasing as needed.
• Leads department projects as assigned.
• Support company mission.
• Adhere to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned or required.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:
• Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology, Animal Sciences, Biology, related science, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 3 years veterinary technician experience in a zoo or aquarium setting.
• Licensed Veterinary Technician through AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology Program, or equivalent experience with the ability to obtain a Maryland Veterinary Technician license within 6 months of employment.
• Must maintain Veterinary Technician license in good standing.
o Attends a minimum of 24 hours of lectures/seminars/workshops tri-annually to obtain mandated continuing education credits.
o Adheres to protocols set forth by the Maryland Board of Veterinary Medical Practitioners.
• Possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator’s license, have an acceptable driving record, and possess the ability to drive a variety of vehicles (cars, vans/trucks).
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes holidays, weekend and/or evening hours, including the ability to shift schedules as needed based on clinical needs and staffing.
• Routine on call coverage (able and ready to work)
• Ability to perform duties that may include walking or standing for extended periods, lifting, climbing ladders, and working closely with others.
Preferred:
• 5+ years experience in an aquarium setting.
• Experience with cetacean phlebotomy.
• Active Member of AZVT, AZA.
• Experience with necropsy (basic understanding of normal appearance and anatomy, sample collection)
• Experience with or exposure to principles of positive reinforcement training.
• Experience with TRACKS medical record keeping software
• Be able to apply general principles of veterinary medicine in novel animals and situations while utilizing primary veterinary technician experience and innovative skill sets.
• Be knowledgeable regarding aquatic and exotic animals with the ability to network with colleagues in the field, collaborate with other professionals, and regularly access published references.
• Must be competent in the practice of veterinary technology including drug calculations, medical department protocols, biosecurity practices, and clinical laboratory practices/procedures.
• Must possess the skills to be an excellent leader and role model for Animal Care and Welfare through interpersonal effectiveness, mentorship, and fostering a learning culture.
• Must have exceptional communication skills and the ability to work alongside a diverse staff.
• Advocate for a positive and productive work environment to achieve departmental and organizational success.
• Foster bother inter and intra departmental collaboration and teamwork
• Be able to quickly make decisions in emergencies and evaluate when to act with independent judgement or when to seek consultation from a veterinarian.
TOTAL COMPENSATION INFORMATION
Salary range: $45,000-55,699 annual
National Aquarium provides an excellent benefits package, including four weeks paid time off, and six paid holidays and up to four weeks of paid family leave. Employees are eligible for health care (single and family) after first of the month following hire. Conservation day leave and 401(k) plan with employer match available.
About the National Aquarium
Established in 1981, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet. The Aquarium’s award-winning habitats are home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. We are proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and exceed industry standards in all aspects of animal care and welfare.
More than 1.2 million people visit the Aquarium each year to experience our immersive exhibits, and we reach far more through our science-based education programs and hands-on field conservation work. The National Aquarium is one of the top three aquariums in the United States and the largest paid cultural attraction in Maryland.
Our Mission and Goals
The Aquarium’s mission—to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet—begins within the walls of its buildings, but it does not end there. The Aquarium protects, enhances and restores natural resources through education and engagement, habitat restoration, animal rescue and sustainable business practices, with its conservation work guided by three overarching goals—to combat climate change, save wildlife and habitats, and stop plastic pollution.
Our Values
At the National Aquarium, our core values form the basis for our beliefs about our organization, our colleagues and ourselves, and serve as the framework to guide our behaviors and actions to achieve our mission.
Connection: We take the time to build lasting connections with each other, our guests, the animals in our care and the nature that surrounds us. We communicate clearly and collaborate readily within and across teams. We engage thoughtfully with our partners. We practice shared accountability.
Curiosity: We center learning and growth in all that we do. Our people are empowered to explore new approaches. We support taking risks. We value diverse perspectives and bold ideas. We embrace change.
Optimism: We celebrate the power of positive moments and shared experiences. We seek out opportunities to have fun. We reconnect with our purpose through sharing successes with our colleagues.
Service: We are in service to each other, our guests and our communities. We make intentional decisions and actions for the benefit of the people and animals within our organization.
Wellbeing: We ensure our people and animals have what they need mentally and physically to thrive. We are committed to improving the wellbeing of communities and sharing the healing power of natural for all.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice
National Aquarium values an inclusive and diverse environment for all employees, volunteers, and interns. Our goal is to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a candidate pool representative of the variety of communities we serve. With a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, the Aquarium is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and promotes an environment free from all discrimination and harassment.
In the selection and retention of employees, volunteers, and interns, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social, or ethnic origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical, mental, or sensory disability, sex (including pregnancy or childbirth), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, arrest record, family or caregiver status, HIV status, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Our organization is dedicated to this policy with respect to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, training, promotions, performance management, and separation, and general treatment during time of employment.
