Veterinary Technician

Veterinary Technician

The Oregon Zoo is looking for a Veterinary Technician to join our dynamic veterinary team where you will play a key part in providing exceptional medical care to a diverse range of species at our state-of-the-art Veterinary Medical Center. If you have experience with anesthesia monitoring, diagnostics, imaging, clinical procedures, laboratory techniques, emergency response, and exotic animals, this is your opportunity to use your expertise in a truly unique and meaningful environment.

As the Veterinary Technician you will:

• Assist veterinarians in clinical procedures on a variety of zoo animal species:
• Prepare treatment area or surgery room with appropriate instruments, monitoring equipment, and emergency supplies as indicated by the veterinarian.
• Assist in safe and appropriate manual and chemical animal restraint techniques.
• Perform as surgical nurse or anesthetist as directed by the veterinarian.
• Administer treatments, collect medical samples in a variety of zoo animals, and maintain medical records.
• Use advanced imaging equipment to produce diagnostic quality studies in all size of patients.
• Clean instruments and work areas following medical procedures and sterilize surgical instruments and darts.
• Perform resuscitation and emergency procedures in non-domestic mammals, avian and herptile species.
• Perform in-house lab analysis including but not limited to:
• Automated hematology and chemistry analysis in most mammal species.
• Manual hematology of avian reptile and amphibian species.
• Manual hematology with cell morphology description in elephant samples.
• Identification of fecal parasites of avian, herptiles, and zoo mammal species.
• Use of advanced parasitological examinations in zoo animals.
• Urinalysis and urine sediment evaluation of non-domestic species.
• Cytology of samples from a variety of zoo animal species.
• Dispense prescribed medications following appropriate labeling and controlled drug regulations with ability to provide keeper education on proper administration and observations.
• Perform triage and treatment administration in non-domestic animals.
• Contribute to the daily care and treatment of hospitalized, neonatal, and critical patients. Participate in operant conditioning training for medical behaviors and procedures as required by medical needs and as directed by the veterinarians.
• Understand and be prepared for Emergency Code Responses.
• May be required to prepare darts and immobilize an animal under the directive of a zoo veterinarian during an emergency situation.

Attributes for success:

• Proven ability to monitor anesthesia in a large variety of zoo animals ranging from fish and insects to megavertebrates and apes.
• Demonstrated ample technical skillset working with exotic zoo animals in a clinical environment including IV catheter placement and phlebotomy in zoo animals.
• Adequate knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and treatment of disease in non- domestic species.
• Demonstrated knowledge of modern laboratory principles, techniques and equipment with the ability to apply them in clinical analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to perform manual hematology on avian, amphibian and reptile species. Demonstrated ability to perform CBC's and advanced skills for analysis of elephant blood samples. Demonstrated skills to adequately perform cytology of samples of mammals, avian and herptile species.
• Experience with infectious diseases and control procedures related to zoo animals. Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions while working with zoo animals including knowledge of risk while working with ultra- potent opioids.
• Knowledge of animal nursing concepts pertaining to zoo animals.
• Demonstrated skill in the proper use of laboratory and veterinary medicine equipment such as gas anesthesia machines and monitoring equipment, IV fluid pumps, radiology equipment, ultrasound and endoscopy equipment, and microscopes and centrifuges.
• Proven ability to maintain a high level of professionalism, integrity and confidentiality. Ability to clearly communicate technical medical information to non-technical staff.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize workload and maintain efficiency in a dynamic setting under the direction of multiple veterinarians.

Diversity and inclusion

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro's goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.

To qualify

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum qualifications

• Associate's degree in a veterinary science-related field, and
• Three years of full-time professional animal care veterinary technician experience that is current and includes significant experience monitoring anesthesia, or
• Any combination of experience, education and training which provides the equivalent scope of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the essential job duties.

Required:

• Must be legally credentialed to practice as a Veterinary Technician.
• Must maintain an Oregon veterinary technician license and be in good standing (those with out-of-state licensure must be eligible to apply for Oregon licensure within 6 months).
• Rabies vaccination or willingness to receive vaccination and boosters as needed.
• Must possess a current driver's license and driving record sufficient to be insured by Metro insurance carrier.

Working Conditions:

• Work is generally performed in a hospital or laboratory setting with frequent interruptions. Work includes frequent walking, standing, lifting, grabbing, and stooping.
• Work is routinely done with dangerous animals and/or potential zoonotic risk.
• Duties frequently require the ability to lift, carry, push or pull up to 50 pounds and occasionally higher

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply:

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Like to have qualifications:

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Experience working in an AZA accredited facility.
• Experience working with exotic animals

Screening and evaluation

The application packet:

• A completed online application
• A cover letter

The selection process:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments (if applicable)
• Reference check
• Background, driving records check for finalist candidate

Compensation, benefits and representation

The full-salary range for this position is step 1 $33.36 to step 5 $44.74. However, unless a candidate's qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro's internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between Step 1 $33.36 to the equity range Step 4 $41.88.

This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by LiUNA Local 483. It is classified as a Veterinary Technician.

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.