The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is looking for a skilled and dedicated Veterinary Technician to join our dynamic veterinary team. In this role, you’ll play a key part in providing exceptional medical care to a diverse range of species at our Zoo, Aquarium, and International Conservation Center. Experience [LK1] with aquatic, avian, herptile, non-human primate, megavertebrate, mammal, and invertebrate species preferred, including potentially dangerous animals.
Essential Job Functions
Under general supervision, assist veterinarians in clinical procedures:
Prepare treatment area or surgery room with appropriate instruments, monitoring equipment, and emergency supplies
Assist in safe and appropriate manual and chemical animal restraint techniques
Perform as surgical nurse or anesthetist as directed
Administer medical treatments, collect biological samples, and maintain organized anesthesia records
Use advanced imaging equipment to produce diagnostic quality studies
Perform cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of surgical instruments, medical equipment, and all hospital and operating areas to ensure the zoo hospital maintains a clean and orderly condition
Follow protocols to assist in responding to veterinary and animal emergencies
Operate and maintain the clinical pathology laboratory[LK2] , including but not limited to: Testing of manual hematology, automated biochemistry analysis, fecal analysis, urinalysis, and cytology
Sample preparation and shipment to outside laboratories
Sample banking
Maintain accurate and comprehensive medical records[LK3]
Prepare, dispense, and administer prescribed medications following appropriate labeling and controlled drug regulations
Contribute to the daily care and treatment of hospitalized, neonatal, and critical patients[LK4]
Assist hospital assistants in the care of Quarantine animals
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 Codes
Provide occasional assistance with nuisance wildlife
Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team
Maintain active membership in the Association of Zoological Veterinary Technicians (AZVT)
Reports directly to the Lead Veterinary Technician and supports the Animal Health Team
Perform other duties as assigned
Must demonstrate knowledge of occupational hazards and consistently apply appropriate safety practices while in proximity of potentially dangerous animals or hazardous substances
Qualifications
Degree in Veterinary Technology from an AVMA accredited institution
Current Pennsylvania veterinary technician license in good standing, or the ability to transfer a current license to Pennsylvania within three months of hire
Maintain veterinary technician license with continuing education and ethics
Minimum 2 years of veterinary technician experience in a clinical setting, with experience with zoo/exotic/aquatic species preferred
Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); ZIMS experience preferred
Requirements
Valid driver’s license
Must obtain rabies vaccination prior to hire date. Must be willing to participate in rabies titer testing as requested by facility during employment
Must provide proof of negative TB test within 1 year prior to hire date
Ability to work outside in a variety of weather conditions
· Manual dexterity is required to operate machinery, equipment and restraining devices, including restraint nets, pathology supplies, personal computers, etc.
Must be physically able to exert up to ten pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects
Work involves standing, walking, bending, reaching, crawling, crouching, etc. for periods of time
Must be able to lift and/or carry weights of fifty to seventy pounds [LK5]
Must be willing to always carry work-provided communication devices on person during work shifts
Position may require occasional off-site driving