Veterinary Technician, #JR-00815

City of Virginia Beach; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Rabies vaccination provided

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

The Virginia Aquarium is seeking a licensed Veterinary Technician to join the Veterinary Science & Research team. You will assist in medical care and preventative health programs for resident animals.

Responsibilities include assisting with diagnoses, treatments, imaging, anesthesia, necropsies, and maintaining accurate medical records, under supervision. Requires a veterinary technology degree and relevant experience; rabies vaccination program provided. City of Virginia Beach benefits apply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in veterinary-related field.
• 3+ years licensed veterinary technician experience.
• Aquarium, zoo, or wildlife facility experience preferred.
• Avian, exotic, or emergency practice experience preferred.
• Experience with sea turtles, elasmobranchs or marine mammals.
• Experience with live animal diagnostic testing and sample collection.
• Familiarity with radiography safety and techniques.
• Public speaking or guest engagement experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinary staff in diagnosis, treatment, and health maintenance of all aquarium animals.
• Follow directions of senior staff; perform minor procedures and prescribed therapies.
• Document cases in medical records and databases (ZIMS).
• Monitor animal patients and report clinical signs to veterinarians.
• Collect samples and prepare for diagnostic tests and labs.
• Utilize imaging and anesthesia equipment under supervision.
• Prepare for exams and rounds; assist with treatment plans.
• Assist with sedation/anesthesia, intubation, surgeries; assist in pre/post-op duties.
• Administer medications and maintain medication logs; assist in training staff.
• Perform euthanasia and necropsies as directed; collect samples for data.
• Help develop protocols and train staff, volunteers, and interns.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, USDA, DEA, AZA, and VA Board regulations.

Skills

Communication skills

Public speaking

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in veterinary technology, animal sciences, biology, zoology, conservation, or related field

3+ years licensed veterinary technician experience

1+ year aquarium/zoo/wildlife facility experience

Experience in avian, exotic or urgent/emergency practice

Experience with sea turtles, elasmobranchs or marine mammals

Experience with live animal diagnostic testing and sample collection

Tools

Istat

Digital radiograph system

Ultrasound

Endoscope

Job description

The Virginia Aquarium is seeking a licensed Veterinary Technician with experience working with a diverse range of animals — including fish, elasmobranchs, reptiles, birds, and both terrestrial and marine mammals — to join it's Veterinary Science & Research team. The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting the team in providing medical care, including a comprehensive preventative health care program, to the Aquarium’s resident animals.

Duties:

• Assist the veterinary staff in the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions, disease, injury, and health maintenance of all animals at the Virginia Aquarium.
• Following the directions of senior veterinary staff (or approved protocols) while often working independently, perform minor medical procedures, diagnostic tests, and carry out prescribed treatments and therapies.
• Create and maintain accurate case documentation into the medical record keeping system (ZIMS) and other relevant databases.
• Monitor and observe the behavior and condition of animal patients, as well as their health indicators and clinical signs, and report appropriately to the veterinarians.
• Maintain and perform skills for a variety of sample collection techniques, sample preparation for send out to external diagnostic labs, in-house laboratory testing, and other diagnostics tests.
• Properly utilize equipment such as: digital radiograph system, ultrasound, endoscope, bronchoscope, incubator, ventilator, i-STAT, therapeutic laser, centrifuges.
• Conduct diagnostic imaging, including patient positioning, exposure techniques, ALARA, and uploading images for veterinarian review.
• Prepare for regular veterinary exams and rounds with all needed equipment and supplies. Assist veterinary staff with examinations, recording, and communicating treatment plans to animal care staff.
• Under direct supervision of the Aquarium veterinarians, assist with procedures requiring sedation and/or anesthesia, intubation, or surgery. Perform pre- and post-op surgery duties; prepare and set-up anesthesia and surgery equipment; administer anesthesia and monitor animals’ response adjusting dosages as indicated; sterile prep of animals and equipment; scrub in as a surgical assistant; recovery and post-op monitoring; supportive care.
• Accurately calculate dosages, prepare, and administer medications, fluids, and other treatments, as prescribed by the Aquarium veterinarians. Dispense prescribed medications and assist in maintaining animal staff training schedule for medical administration protocols.
• Perform and/or assist with euthanasia as directed by the Aquarium veterinarians.
• Perform and/or assist with necropsies, post-mortem sampling, and data collection.
• Assist in developing protocols for and the training of other staff, volunteers, and interns.
• Ensure veterinary protocols are adhered to and required staff safety training is updated according to approved schedules.
• Adhere to all regulations, standards and guidelines of OSHA, USDA, DEA, AZA and Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine, ensuring compliance in all areas.
• Coordinate with veterinary team in carrying out daily/week medical care plans, communicating and scheduling with animal care staff as needed.
• Communicate regularly with the Hospital Manager, and Veterinarians regarding the status of medical cases (medical procedures, treatments, diagnostics).
• Maintain quality standards through regular maintenance and cleaning activities; keep service areas and personal workspace clean and organized.
• Maintain courteous and professional demeanor in all interactions with volunteers, staff, collaborators, guests visiting the Aquarium, and the public.
• Assist the Lead Veterinary Technician – Hospital Manager, in maintaining needed supplies and equipment across several Aquarium facilities:
• Monitor and report inventory of medical supplies, medications, and dispensed medications
• Maintain controlled drugs logs.
• Clean and sterilize instruments and materials.
• Maintain veterinary equipment and machines
• Daily, weekly and monthly cleaning and maintenance

Preferences:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in veterinary technology, animal sciences, biology, zoology, conservation, or another related field.
• Three (3) or more years of experience working as a licensed veterinary technician.
• One (1) or more years working in an animal care related position at an aquarium, zoo, wildlife facility.
• Prior experience working as a veterinary technician in an avian, exotic or urgent/emergency veterinary practice.
• Prior experience working with sea turtles, teleosts, elasmobranchs or marine mammals.
• Knowledge and experience performing basic live animal diagnostic testing, use of portable blood gas analyzers such as Istat, reading fecal cytology, collecting and recording vital signs, blood draw and sample preparation, digital radiograph safety and technique.
• Experience with public speaking or guest engagement (e.g. oral presentations, guest experiences or tours) and communicating biological or veterinary concepts and conservation messaging.
• Experience in assisting with and conducting necropsies, including proper sample collection.
• Experience working in and around water.
• Strong listening, communication, retention, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain highest levels of professionalism and a positive attitude, as a representative of the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, and the City of Virginia Beach.
• Ability and willingness to both provide and follow direction and procedures from other staff to ensure the health and safety of staff, volunteers and animal patients, and to ensure compliance with laws and guidelines.

Work Schedule: 5 days per week, 8-hour day shifts including up to one weekend day per week, and rotational standby coverage. Schedule may change seasonally or annually depending on program needs. Must be available to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime when required to meet operational needs.

Required to receive rabies pre-exposure vaccination provided by the City's Occupational Health Services Office.

The City of Virginia Beach provides a comprehensive benefits package, which includes health, dental, and life insurance, retirement and savings plans, maternity, paternity, and parental leave, as well as paid holidays and leave. Additional key benefits include:

Employee Wellness Program

The City of Virginia Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer.