Veterinary Technician

About the Job:

This position provides veterinary technician services at The Raptor Center (TRC)s veterinary hospital. The primary responsibilities include supporting diagnostic procedures and providing anesthesia assistance during medical and surgical procedures, along with performing a variety of veterinary medical support services and patient care duties. Incumbents are expected to develop proficiency in TRC clinic protocols and required tasks and, following training, to independently and completely carry out assigned responsibilities without close supervision. This position requires flexible scheduling, including working weekends, holidays, and outside normal business hours.

The essential functions of the job include tasks that support the overall daily functions of TRCs clinic by providing a continuum of veterinary and animal care support, including when a senior certified veterinary technician (CVT) is not on duty. This role requires exceptional communication and organizational skills to successfully work with multiple staff members, students, and volunteers.

Location and Work environment: In-person at The Raptor Center Clinic

Work Schedule: This is a full-time position averaging 40 hours per week. Shifts vary throughout the year based on daylight hours. Standard scheduling consists of five 8-hour shifts per week, with start and end times scheduled within the window of 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM. In some circumstances, schedules may be adjusted to four 10-hour shifts to meet operational needs. Overtime must be approved in advance by a supervisor.

Regular days off will generally fall midweek (most commonly Tuesday/Wednesday or Wednesday/Thursday). Staff schedules may be adjusted, with advance notice, to provide coverage during vacations.

Due to the high volume of patient care during the summer months, vacation time in July and August is limited for this position.

Primary Responsibilities:

Responsibilities vary seasonally and will include:

• Veterinary technician duties - 45%
  • Laboratory tests and procedures: perform manual avian complete blood cell counts, in-house blood lead testing, in-house fecal evaluations, in-house culture and sensitivity testing; coordinate sample submission to external labs; and enter diagnostic results into a digital medical record system.
  • Anesthesia and Surgery: set-up for surgical and anesthetic procedures, pre-medicate and induce general anesthesia in raptor patients, monitor general anesthesia, address anesthetic-related complications, place intravenous and intraosseous catheters, assist with sterile surgical procedures, recover patients from general anesthesia, enter anesthetic records into a digital medical record system, and assist with cleaning, restocking, and sterile instrument preparation.
• Clinic support tasks and general patient care - 40%
  • Assist with care of wild raptor patients undergoing medical treatment, which may include but is not limited to: basic patient restraint, bloodwork, radiographs, medication administration and treatments, feeding, cleaning, and completing all related medical records and paperwork.
  • Assist with clinic maintenance tasks, such as but not limited to: cleaning instruments, wrapping packs, autoclaving, restocking the treatment room space, compounding medications, inventory, and receiving.
  • Interface with the public, returning phone calls and answering questions about injured birds, and assist in arranging transport for injured patients as needed.
• Volunteer training and engagement - 5%
  • Assist with training and supervision of volunteers in the various aspects of their clinical work
  • Daily volunteer interaction and stewardship
  • Assist the clinic manager in providing volunteer training and volunteer engagement opportunities, such as patient updates and continuing education opportunities including but not limited to training, workshops, and patient update stories
• Teaching and outreach - 5%
  • Assist with hands-on training of visiting students and professionals
  • May have the opportunity to contribute to the development and implementation of TRCs clinical training offerings, and externally facing conference presentations
  • Represent TRC in a professional manner consistent with TRC clinics identified mission and goals
• Other duties as assigned - 5%

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• Graduate of an Animal Health Technician Program or equivalent training.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to effectively communicate with diverse groups, including volunteers and the general public
• Strong observational skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and effectively with others
• Comfort in speaking in front of audiences
• Physical abilities: must be able to meet the essential physical requirements of the job as listed below.
• Basic competency in the Microsoft suite: Word, Excel, Gmail, Google Office Suite
• Ability to project a positive attitude towards co-workers, supervisor, volunteers, and the public
• Ability to provide excellent customer service in person, online and on the telephone
• Ability to communicate respectfully and clearly in verbal and written communication, including speaking, listening, writing, and responding.
• Ability to use time efficiently and take initiative to respond to departmental needs
• Ability to work as a team member in a highly dynamic, busy environment
• Ability to adapt to a changing work environment and work effectively in an emergency room-type environment
• Problem-solving skills and strong interpersonal skills
• Flexibility to meet patient care needs.
• Flexibility in schedule that includes an ability to work during all seasons, weekends, evenings, and holidays, and the ability to fill some shifts on short notice.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified or eligible for certification as a licensed veterinary technician in Minnesota.
• Experience with avian hematology and manual complete blood cell counts
• Basic raptor knowledge
• Experience working with raptors or other wildlife in a rehabilitation setting
• Experience working with volunteers
• Knowledge of veterinary medicine terminology
• Knowledge of proper restraint and handling of large and small animals

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Lifting: Ability to lift up to 50 pounds without assistance regularly, and occasionally lift and/or move over 50 lbs with assistance. Ability to lift awkward, heavy objects from the ground.
• Standing/walking: This role involves continuous activity and requires the physical ability and mobility to remain on your feet for the duration of a 8 - 10 hour shift. Ability to stand for prolonged periods of time. Ability to walk mile, climb stairs, balance, stoop, lunge, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Bending/stooping: frequently reaching toward the floor or working at low levels.
• Pushing/pulling: Ability to move heavy equipment or machinery, Ability to use hands to perform fine motor skills to handle or feel animals, objects, tools or controls, to push and pull, and reach with hands or arms.
• Reach: the ability to extend arms overhead or horizontally retrieve items.
• Fine motor skills: picking up small components, typing or using precision tools
• Visual acuity: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Sensory awareness: ability to talk, hear, and smell in an animal care environment, ability to hear warning signals, alarms or communicate in loud environments.
• Ability and willingness to wear a fitted N95 respirator for significant periods of time.
• Ability and willingness to wear personal protective equipment and work in a biosecure quarantine space for significant periods of time.
• Ability to physically capture and safely restrain wild raptors, including large eagles with both hands and arms.