Registered Veterinary Technician I - San Diego Zoo Safari Park

San Diego Zoo Safari Park; Escondido (CA); On-site; USD 53,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free admission to the San Diego Zoo

Free passes to San Diego Zoo Safari.

Complimentary Tickets

Free Parking

Employee Assistance Program

Wellness Program

Job summary

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is seeking a Registered Veterinary Technician to join our Veterinary Services team in Escondido, CA. The RVT will support clinical and surgical procedures, perform radiographs, and provide nursing care while advocating for wildlife health.

Responsibilities include anesthesia machine maintenance, medication preparation, and safe handling of remote injection equipment. Candidates must meet vaccination and TB testing requirements and pass a physical ability test.

Qualifications

• Must pass a physical ability test.
• Rabies and measles vaccination required.
• TB testing satisfactory.

Responsibilities

• Provide care, evaluate, medicate and maintain records for compromised/sick animals.
• Set up procedures, sterilize instruments and care for tools.
• Perform diagnostic radiographs across species (in-house and field).
• Maintain anesthetic machines and monitor patients before/during/after anesthesia.
• Handle and use remote injection equipment safely.
• Operate Class IV Laser following safety guidelines.
• Follow CDC quarantine regulations.

Skills

CPR & first aid

Lab procedures

Preventive health

Teamwork & communication

Computer literacy

Safety awareness

Education

Associate's degree or some college

CA licensure as RVT (within 180 days)

AVMA/VMB RVT program accreditation (preferred)

Tools

None

Job description

HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSION

The Registered Veterinary Technician supports San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's mission integrating wildlife health and care, science, and education to develop sustainable conservation solutions. The Registered Veterinary Technician assists the veterinary staff with clinical and surgical procedures, is responsible for performing diagnostic radiographs, and provides technical support and nursing care, while advocating for the animals entrusted to our care. This position reports to the Veterinary Services Wildlife Care Supervisor.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Recognize, provide care for, treat, evaluate, medicate and maintain records for the compromised, sick, ill, dying, and/or arresting patients.Setup for various scheduled and emergency procedures, as well as clean, sterilize and care for all specialized instruments associated with the procedures.Perform diagnostic radiographs on all animal species in our collection using various radiographic modalities such as mammography, digital radiography (in house and in the field), Computed Tomography (with and without intravenous contrast).Maintains all anesthetic machines to ensure proper function and monitor animal patients before, during and upon recovery from anesthetic procedures.Fill or compound prescribed medications including controlled drugs for animal patients as well as maintain appropriate records.Correctly handle and use pneumatic CO2 darting pistol and rifles as well as other remote injection delivery equipment in a safe and professional manner.Proficient in operating Class IV Laser, following all safety and training guidelines and protocols.Follows all CDC quarantine regulations and protocols.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park Veterinary Services department is seeking an RVT to join our team. You will partner with our existing team in caring for a wide variety of taxa in our Safari Park population and contribute to our eight SDZWA global Conservation Hubs as well as our local amphibian, avian and mammal population sustainability programs. Desired candidates hold a passion for wildlife well-being, a drive to practice high quality medicine, the ability to embrace teamwork, and the skillset to exercise veterinary nursing within both a state-of-the‑art veterinary hospital and wildlife field habitats. This position requires successful completion of a physical ability test, possession of current rabies and measles vaccination, and satisfactory completion of a Tuberculosis (TB) Test.

JOB EXPERIENCE

Prior paid experience working as an RVT in a zoological setting preferred.Prior paid experience working as an RVT in veterinary setting required.

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

Associate's Degree or Some college preferred.California licensure as a Registered Veterinary Technician within 180 Days required.Graduate of an AVMA accredited program or VMB approved RVT program within 180 Days preferred.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Understand the dangers and be situationally aware when ultra-potent narcotics are in use.Strong working knowledge of laboratory procedures in the analysis of biological samples.Ability to plan, organize and implement preventative heath projects as directed for overall health of collection animals.Human CPR and first aid is desirable.Able to operate moderately complex computer software programs.Demonstrated ability to work with teams and communicate effectively with others.

SOME OF THE REWARDS YOU WILL ENJOY AS A TEAM MEMBER

Free admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari ParkFamily PassesComplimentary TicketsFree Parking at the San Diego Zoo & San Diego Zoo Safari ParkLocal and In-House DiscountsEmployee Assistance ProgramWellness Program

IMPORTANT DETAILS

Location:Escondido, CAPosition Type:Hourly Full-Time Non-Exempt PositionHourly Rate: $46.87