Veterinary Technician

Veterinary Technician

Benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Relocation bonus
• Vision insurance
• Wellness resources

Job Classification:

Title Class: Veterinary Technician

Descriptive Title: Veterinary Technician

Shift: Normally days, including weekends and holidays. Night work may be required.

FLSA: Non-exempt

Risk Level: 3

Organizational Overview:

At Chimp Haven we believe we're not that different, humans and chimpanzees. Chimps have personalities, emotions and relationships, just like us, and we are on a mission to connect them to the happy healthy lives they deserve. That is why we are providing and promoting personalized care for chimpanzees (most of whom were retired from biomedical research) by helping them, for their remaining years, live a good life – the chimp life. Chimp Haven serves as The National Chimpanzee Sanctuary and is located on 200-forested acres in northwest Louisiana just outside of Shreveport. Chimp Haven provides excellent care for more than 300 chimpanzees retired from research or no longer used in the entertainment industry or as pets. Chimp Haven has a well-designed facility to support the physical and emotional well-being of all animals, experienced staff and high standards for operational excellence. Chimp Haven offers a competitive salary, excellent benefits, extensive training and an opportunity for professional advancement. We wish to thank all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position, however, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

Chimp Haven is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability or any other protected class. U.S. Citizenship is required for most positions.

Job Summary:

Provide medical care for chimpanzees. Most duties performed under general supervision.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist veterinarian with physical exams, treatments and procedures, including the collection of samples for testing as needed.
• Assist during necropsies, including operation of equipment.
• Take medical notes during sedations, documenting anesthesia maintenance.
• Observe chimpanzees for detection of symptoms associated with disease.
• Dispense medication to chimpanzees under direction of veterinarian.
• Maintain med bottles, trays and medical log books.
• Prepare med bottles for AM and PM distributions.
• Record observations and may maintain chimpanzee medical records.
• Recover chimpanzees.
• Maintain cleanliness of clinics
• Stock veterinary supplies as instructed.
• Maintenance of medical and surgical equipment.
• Work with behavioral staff to train chimpanzees to cooperate during medical procedures.
• Assist behavioral or husbandry staff as required.
• Assist with training of new employees.
• May train other animal care staff on procedures.
• May supervise volunteers.
• Perform related duties as required.

Education and Experience Required:

Veterinary Technician requires a high school diploma or equivalent and three years working as a veterinary technician. A veterinary technical degree is preferred.

The veterinary clinic at Chimp Haven is a fast paced, dynamic environment that requires our techs to take initiative, be proactive and quick thinking under pressure.

Applicants must have an aptitude for the care and wellbeing of animals, flexibility for change, be a strong team player, and mentally resilient in high pressure situations.

One year working in an emergency animal care setting is highly desirable. Although experience with nonhuman primates is preferred, we will train the right person with urgent care experience.

Physical Demands:

• Physical strength and agility (ability to run, jump and climb).
• Ability for physical activity with the use of PPE for long periods indoors/outdoors in potentially extreme temperatures.
• Ability to bend, crawl, stretch, twist, reach out, kneel, squat, sit, stoop, lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects-including overhead.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time.
• Ability to consistently lift ~75 lbs. from floor to waist assisted by another tech.
• Ability to perform repetitive motions for long periods of time.
• Ability to keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position, including height and unstable ground.
• Ability to ascend/descend ramps, stairs and/or ladders.
• Manual dexterity:
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Use hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Assist with veterinary procedures and/or surgeries.
• Near and far visual acuity.
• Ability to hear, understand and distinguish speech and/or other sounds.
• Ability to express or exchange ideas verbally-accurately, loudly and quickly.
• Educational multitasking:
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Ability to quickly retain information and hear and write at the same time.
• Ability to enter text or data into a computer or other machine by means of a keyboard or touchscreen.
• Ability to dart an awake and active chimpanzee with restricted vision and/or shooting range.
• Comfortability within confined spaces.

Other Requirements and Working Conditions:

Must be able to work both independently and within a team. Be open and receptive to embodying the Chimp Haven values of positivity and kindness, unity, adaptability, collaboration, and resiliency.

Although Chimp Haven prioritizes safety for both humans and chimpanzees, working with and around animals does create the potential for animal bites, scratches and injury and exposure to chemical, biological, physical, environmental, infectious and psychosocial hazards including, but not limited to unpleasant odors, animal wastes, welding fumes, dust and allergens, animal tissues and body fluids, toxic chemicals, zoonotic diseases (tuberculosis, shigella etc.), and infectious agents (Hepatitis B, C, HIV, etc.).

Weekend, holiday and night work may be necessary.

Duties require driving Chimp Haven's vehicles which requires a valid driver's license. Must also meet Chimp Haven's motor vehicle operating standards.

Participation in a medical monitoring and surveillance program that includes hepatitis B and other inoculations is required.

Safety training, equipment, clothing allowance and supplies will be provided.