Organization: Akron Zoological Park

Location: Akron, Ohio

Position: Certified Veterinary Technician- Hospital Manager

Salary: Competitive with excellent benefit package

Reports to: Veterinarian

Summary: This position is responsible for providing all technical and medical assistance in the care and treatment of all zoo specimens both in the collection and in quarantine, under the supervision of the veterinarian. Manages the Animal Hospital and its staff.

Qualifications: Candidate must be a certified or licensed veterinary technician, preferably with a minimum of two years’ experience in a zoo or aquarium setting.

General duties and responsibilities include: Assists the veterinarian in medical/surgical procedures. Provides technical and supportive care of in-house patients and quarantine animals, and closely follows-up and monitors ongoing outpatient cases. Assists with neonatal care and hand rearing as necessary. Administers medications, prescriptions and therapies as instructed by the veterinarian. Monitors physiological parameters in anesthesia cases. Cleans and maintains anesthesia equipment. Cleans, wraps, sterilizes and stocks surgical instruments and equipment; maintains radiographic equipment. Assists during necropsies with sample collection, record keeping, tissue preparation and sample shipment. Provides routine clinical pathology analysis including: hematology, serum chemistries, cytology, microbiology and fecal parasite program. Oversees the parasite control program (e.g. schedules fecal collections, examinations and dewormings as instructed by the veterinarian). Assists in maintenance of medical and clinical pathology record system.

Maintains clinical pathology laboratory in a clean, orderly and professional manner. Maintains inventory of medical and lab supplies, checks for outdated medications, keeps pharmacy neat and orderly; also maintains inventory and record keeping for controlled drugs. Stocks lab supplies and maintains quality control standards in conjunction with keeping lab equipment in calibrated working order. Maintains tissue/serum bank and records. Organizes and packages biological sample shipments to outside laboratories and investigators. Maintains files of all current outside laboratories and tests available.

Maintains familiarity with and assists in the implementation of safety requirements such as OSHA and biomedical waste disposal. Maintains clinical working areas, in-house and quarantine animal holding facilities in a clean and professional manner.

Additional duties: Supervises hospital staff, interns and volunteers. Acts as intermediary between keeper staff and veterinarian.

Skills needed: Must be able to communicate effectively both in verbal and written format. Must be able to adapt to frequently changing conditions and various job details. Must be self-motivated, able to work independently under minimal supervision. Must have the ability to function as a team player with good interpersonal skills with co-workers and the public. Familiarity with Med-ARKS a significant plus.

Physical requirements: Must be able to work in weather conditions typical to the Midwest Ohio region. Must be able to lift minimum of 65lbs.Must possess visual acuity appropriate for animal care and general safety practices and ability to transverse zoo grounds on foot or in a zoo vehicle. Must be able to work weekends and holidays and some evenings for special events.

To apply for this salaried position, please send or email resume and cover letter, with salary history and requirements to:

HR Director Akron Zoological Park 500 Edgewood Ave. Akron, Ohio 44307 kmthomas@zkronzoo.org