Veterinary Technician

Veterinary Technician

Responsible for providing veterinary technical support for The Florida Aquarium's main animal collection, off-site facilities, and/or animal rehabilitation programs. Works closely with the veterinary team as well as a diverse team of biologists and researchers dedicated to responsible animal care and health practices. This position will be based mostly at our main campus facility in Tampa, FL and provide support to the Aquarium's sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation center in Apollo Beach, FL and other offsite facilities. The veterinary technician plays a key role to help maintain compliance with the rules and regulations of relevant regulatory agencies as well as the standards and guidelines of accrediting and certifying organizations such as the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and American Humane Association (AHA). This position supports other TFA departments as needed to fulfill TFA's shared purpose.

Essential Position Functions:

• Performs veterinary diagnostics and provides medical treatments for the collection and rehabilitation of animals
• Performs daily treatments and triages medical concerns
• Works as part of a team or via telemedicine with the primary veterinarian
• Ensures medical and laboratory areas/equipment are clean and maintained to OSHA and AZA standards
• Assists veterinarian with medical record keeping
• Assists with necropsies of collection animals across taxa
• Assists with euthanasia and necropsies of collection animals across taxa
• Maintains medical equipment in proper working order
• Ensures surgical suite and exam room cleanliness, and is stocked for daily use and treatments
• Assists with training veterinary technician students, interns and volunteers
• Assists with biohazard disposal, scheduling, histopathology management, and performs all other duties as assigned by manager.
• Helps manage the clinical schedule and inputting of clinical lab work
• Part of a rotating overnight on-call schedule
• Assists as needed with inventory, ordering, permit assistance, new business relations, and scheduling
• Performs all other duties as assigned by manager.

Education Requirements and Technical Skills:

• Must be a graduate of an AVMA-accredited veterinary technical program and be a certified, licensed or registered veterinary technician.
• Must hold or be eligible to obtain a Florida Veterinary Technician license within 6 months of offer acceptance
• Valid Florida Driver's license with a clear driving record required
• Two years of experience in a veterinary technician position as well as experience with exotic/aquatic animals or sea turtles is preferred
• Thorough understanding of general disease processes, diagnostics, and prevention programs
• Familiar with the use of medical equipment including radiology, endoscopy, anesthesia, and surgery equipment as well as autoclaves and microscopes
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Knowledge of Tracks digital record keeping preferred.

Competencies:

• Customer Service Demonstrates courtesy, cooperation and friendliness with staff, volunteers and customers. Actively listens, anticipates and evaluates the customer's needs. Ensures that customer satisfaction is a priority in all areas of responsibility. Actively engages our customers while fulfilling job responsibilities.
• Interpersonal Skills/Teamwork Supporting, facilitating, and participating in activities that promote team effectiveness; demonstrating sensitivity for the feelings and needs of team members and supporting team goals.
• Professional and Technical Knowledge Remains current on developments in the fields within and outside the organization; maintains proficiencies.
• Initiative Taking actions to achieve goals; self-starting and proactive; asserting oneself to support others in the achievement of their goals; originating action rather than responding only to the action of others; anticipating the needs of both internal and external constituencies.
• Work Standards Applies high performance standards to all work-related activities.

Typical Physical Requirements:

• Standing (up to 8 hours per day)
• Walking (6 hours per day)
• Lifting up to 65lbs. - Occasionally
• Carrying up to 65lbs. - Occasionally
• Exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity
• Exposure to chemicals, dust, fumes, gases
• Ability to conduct field work in collection and research
• Typing on a computer keyboard
• More than normal talking
• Ability to travel via driving car or truck
• Ability to maintain daily contact with a living collection of plants and animals
• Flexibility in working weekends and evenings
• Flexibility in working holidays
• Ability to interact and be around animals
• Ability to work outdoors for extended lengths of time