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Veterinary Technician

Employer
National Aquarium
Location
East Case, Maryland, US
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Aug 1, 2021

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Sector
Aquarium / Zoo / Botanical garden
Field
Conservation science
Discipline
Invertebrates
Salary Type
Salary
Employment Type
Full time
The Veterinary Technician is responsible for implementing clinical and preventative medicine care as directed by the veterinarian on all collection animals (invertebrates, amphibians, fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals). Including, but not limited to, daily monitoring and treatment of medical cases, inventory control of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, operation and maintenance of medical equipment, collection of diagnostic sample, collection animal anesthesia, preparation of medical case histories, and clinical laboratory procedures. Essential Functions: * Implements clinical and preventative medical programs for collection animals (invertebrates, amphibians, fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals) as directed by a veterinarian. * Performs medical treatments and updates records as appropriate. * Provides feedback to veterinarian regarding clinical cases. * Prepares medicines to be administered, including accurate calculations of appropriate doses and filling of prescriptions. * Assists veterinarians in surgical procedures including anesthesia administration and monitoring and appropriate surgical equipment set up. * Capable of performing the clinical radiology demands of an exotic practice, including following technique charts, creating new machine settings if none available, and improvising with positioning techniques. * Performs phlebotomy on collection animals. * Performs or assists in necropsies on collection animals, including collection of sterile samples. * Responds to emergency situations during or after hours. * Must be able to apply general principles of veterinary technician duties in novel animals and situations, utilizing primary experience, consulting with other professionals, and published references. * Maintains clinical records * Responsible for maintaining daily treatment book. * Implements and can organizes daily schedule of activities, such as treatments, animal procedures, and sample deliveries. * Gathers information from husbandry staff regarding animal progress, problems, and scheduling. * Maintains controlled drug inventory log. * Updates computerized medical records as appropriate, including laboratory submissions. * Maintains supplies/equipment inventories and orders supplies and equipment as directed by Hospital Manager * Stocks medical supplies in work areas as assigned. * Removes expired medications from use as per NAIB protocol. * Cleans and maintains instruments and equipment. * Orders supplies and equipment as directed by Hospital Managers or Director of Animal Health. * Performs laboratory procedures including blood analysis, CBC, serum/plasma prep for send outs and storage, parasitology, urinalysis and microbiology when necessary. * Follows standard operating procedure protocols * Capable of improvising when necessary to ensure safety of staff, animals, and equipment. * Identifies areas where protocols can be improved to increase the safety for staff, animals, and equipment and communicates these to Hospital Manager. * Develops protocols as directed by the Hospital Manager or Director of Animal Health * Maintains communication with all relevant personnel and fosters team based approach to animal care. * Utilizes electronic and direct communication techniques to ensure appropriate patient care. * Provides feedback to Hospital Manager on ways to improve teamwork and communication in department. * May be provided opportunity to attend and present at relevant conferences. * Instructs veterinary preceptors and volunteers as needed. * Complies with all safety protocols established by NAIB * Takes proactive measures to prevent unsafe work practices * Adheres to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures * Other duties as assigned or required Qualifications/Position Requirements: * Must have at least 1-3 years of veterinary technician experience in a comparable practice (if not with exotic species). * Registered through a state board and national board examination as a veterinary technician, or become registered within 2 years of employment. * Preferred: BA/BS in biology, completion of an accredited veterinary technical program, direct experience with zoo/aquatic/exotic animals. Competencies: * Must be competent in practice of veterinary technology, medical department protocols (i.e. Quarantine, Controlled Drugs), clinical laboratory practices/procedures, ordering procedures, and equipment operation/maintenance. * Must be skilled in technician areas, such as sampling, treatments, lab procedures, and dispensing medications. * Must possess capacity to become knowledgeable regarding aquatic and exotic animal anatomy and be able to apply standard clinical/veterinary technician procedures to an Aquarium setting. * Must have an affinity for animals, and have the capacity to make decisions based on the best interest of the collection. * Additionally, they should be able to quickly make decisions in emergencies. Must be able to evaluate situations and to know when to act independently or to seek consultation from veterinarian. * Should be familiar with: radiograph machines, radiographic processors, ultrasound machine, digital imaging equipment, laparoscope, endoscope, electrocautery, gas sterilizer, overhead crane, slit lamp, laboratory equipment (microscopes, centrifuge, blood analyzer, water quality equipment, etc) * Familiar with Windows based PC's. * Must possess capacity to communicate effectively and empathize with staff to provide the best care possible for collection. The National Aquarium is committed to diversity and invites individuals who bring a diversity of culture, experience and ideas to apply. ABOUT THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM Recently named one of Baltimore's Best Places to Work, the National Aquarium opened in 1981 as a nonprofit aquatic education and conservation organization, the jewel of the city's Inner Harbor redevelopment. SmartCEO Magazine honored the National Aquarium with the Healthiest Workplace award and the Corporate Culture award in 2016. With a mission to inspire conservation of the world's aquatic treasures, the Aquarium is consistently ranked one of the nation's two top aquariums and has hosted over 51 million guests since opening. Today, the National Aquarium builds on a 40-year history of local, regional and global conservation initiatives that provide real solutions for protecting marine life, ecosystems and aquatic communities. Its Animal Rescue team has rescued, rehabilitated and released hundreds of marine mammals and endangered sea turtles throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Its Animal Care and Welfare teams participate in important research efforts to confront pressing ocean conservation issues and advocate for smarter policies at local, state and federal levels. Through education, research, conservation action and advocacy, the National Aquarium is pursuing a vision to change the way humanity cares for our ocean planet. HOW TO APPLY Interested and engaged applicants should apply through our website http://aqua.org/jobs. Requests for reasonable accommodation can be made by e-mailing HR@aqua.org

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