Under regular direction and in compliance with standard operating procedures and policies, performs veterinary technician duties related to the medical care of the animal collection and upkeep of the veterinary hospital facilities. Assists Veterinarian and Veterinary Hospital Coordinator with routine, clinical and emergency treatment, surgical and anesthetic procedures. Provides for the care of animals that are in the hospital for quarantine, and/or hospitalization, as well as coordinates continuity of care instructions with animal care staff and animal care managers. Follows Animal Health Calendar and implements the schedule as directed by supervisor. Enters medical records in Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS Medical) and files the physical medical records and collection specimen records centrally at the hospital. Assists in scheduling on-call veterinary support staff as directed and coordinates the activities of the Veterinary Department in conjunction with supervisor. Communicates with Veterinarian, Veterinary Hospital Coordinator, animal care staff, animal care managers, as well as other staff regarding protocols, procedures, and appropriate animal updates. Complies with Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) and South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH), local, state, and federal standards and regulations. Assists with ordering of supply inventory as needed. Coordinates logistics of transport within and off-grounds as directed. Participates with area animal care staff in operant conditioning related to veterinary related behaviors (e.g., ultrasound examinations, blood collection, etc.) as directed by supervisor. Maintains a clean and sterile environment in the hospital, including treatment, necropsy, and surgery areas. Assists in stocking and maintaining inventory of all medications and supplies. Performs lab tests and other veterinary related procedures. Assists with on-site research projects. Cares for animals housed in the hospital for holding purposes, quarantine, or hospitalization. May be required to work after normal working hours and holidays to resolve emergency situations and adjust schedule to accommodate veterinary coverage needs.

Essential Functions

% of Time

• Perform Veterinary Technician Duties: Assist Veterinarian and Veterinary Hospital Coordinator with routine, clinical and emergency treatment, surgical and anesthetic procedures. Clean, pack, and sterilize instruments via autoclave and gas sterilization techniques. Provide care of animals during quarantine, holding, and hospitalization periods. Follow regulatory and occupational safety and compliance regulations (radiation safety, controlled substances inventory/reporting, biohazardous materials, etc.). Perform dental cleanings, monitor anesthesia, place intravenous (IV) catheters, perform venipuncture for blood collection, obtain samples for diagnostics, set up IV fluids, and monitor electrocardiogram (ECG), and other vital signs. Administer medications via various routes. Fill and dispense prescriptions prescribed by veterinarian. Educate animal care staff about medications and instructions as directed. Follow up with animal status post-procedures with animal care staff. Communicate animal care medication and instructions for animals under medical care to animal care staff and animal care managers. Act as a liaison between animal care staff, animal care managers, and on-call veterinarian when Veterinarian or Veterinary Hospital Coordinator is absent. Assist with medical operant conditioning training as directed by supervisor.

40%

• Support Administration of Medical Records and Procedures: Assist with scheduling and coordinating clinical and preventative health care of all collection animals in conjunction with Veterinary Hospital Coordinator and Veterinarian, including implementation of activities as noted in Animal Health Calendar. Maintain ZIMS medical records by entering anesthesia records, prescriptions, necropsy and biopsy records, and sample analysis results as well as clinical notes where applicable. Maintain various hospital logs (e.g., necropsy, fecal, nuisance animal, and cryovial). Assist with supply inventory and order supplies as directed. Implement medical waste and carcass disposal procedures per protocol. Coordinate vehicle transportation as needed for procedures. Coordinate nuisance wildlife and feral animal disposition with staff and appropriate agencies as directed by veterinarian or veterinary hospital coordinator. Comply with regulations and standards for radiation safety, controlled substances inventory, and Prescription Monitoring Program. Schedule and coordinate exams and procedures as directed.

30%

• Perform Animal Hospital Maintenance: Maintain a clean and sterile environment in the hospital, including treatment, necropsy, and surgery areas with appropriate housekeeping and cleaning in animal areas. Maintain appropriate biosecurity within the hospital. Assist in stocking and maintaining inventory of all medications and supplies. Test, calibrate, and maintain hospital equipment as directed. Contact and coordinate with appropriate companies regarding equipment preventative maintenance and/or repair as directed.

10%

• Perform Technical Responsibilities: Perform in-house laboratory testing, including hematology, urinalysis, cytology, fecal flotation and microscopic evaluations, microbiology, and preparation and shipping of samples for outside laboratories per biomaterial shipping standards referenced in certifications. Use in-house I-Stat chemistry machine and other instrumentation when needed. Setup, position, and take detailed radiographs and assist with ultrasound examinations and other diagnostic procedures. Maintain banked sample log and inventory. Assist with Species Survival Plan (SSP), on-site, and other approved research requests as needed. Facilitate sample collection for research and species sustainability projects (e.g., fecal samples for hormone monitoring).

10%

• Provide Animal Care: Care for animals housed in the hospital for holding purposes, quarantine, or hospitalization, including cleaning, providing enrichment, preparing or tearing down enclosures, and other husbandry needs. May also assist in animal care in other animal areas when needed at supervisor direction.

10%

Perform other duties as assigned.

• Associate degree in veterinary technology.

• This is an entry level position for which training will be provided. 

• Veterinary Technician License issued by South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation.

• Must receive rabies immunization if needed and/or allow for titer testing. 

• Obtain International Air Transport Association (IATA), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) certifications for shipping biological substances, infectious substances and related hazards within two (2) months of hire.

• Experience as a veterinary technician working with exotic or zoo animals. 

• Experience in exotic species anatomy and physiology.

• Valid South Carolina Class D Driver's License.

• Domestic species anatomy and physiology. 

• Biosecurity and disinfection/sterilization/aseptic technique practices.

• Operant conditioning. 

• USDA regulations. 

• SCDES and DPH regulations, including rabies control, controlled substances, radiology, biohazardous materials, and federal, state, and local regulations. 

• Daily animal husbandry.

• Veterinary anesthesiology and pharmacology.

• Zoo emergency protocols.

• Diagnostic imaging including radiography and ultrasonography.

• Laboratory and clinical diagnostic skills.

• Best practices as applied to veterinary medicine. 

• Support activities of Veterinary Department. 

• Provide administration of medical records and procedures. 

• Perform laboratory testing, diagnostics, and research.

• Provide animal care. 

• Learn AZA Accreditation Standards. 

• Ensure compliance with departmental policies and procedures. 

• Order and maintain inventory of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical supplies. 

• Maintain a clean hospital environment. 

• Test and calibrate hospital equipment. 

• Maintain excellent organization and attention to detail. 

• Read, analyze, and interpret general industry periodicals, professional journals, technical journals and procedures, invoices, contracts and governmental regulations, as well as, literature, books, reviews, reports, and abstracts. 

• Make mathematical calculations and draw logical conclusions. 

• Write records, notes and other communications utilizing proper medical terminology, and compose emails in a clear and professional manner.

• Operate equipment such as digital radiology machine, ultrasound, dental machine, anesthesia machine, gas scavenger system, nasal oxygen regulator, ECG machine, multiple scales, microscope, centrifuge, autoclave, refractometer, IV fluid pump, ultra-low freezer, fume hood, calculator, doppler monitor, I-Stat blood machine, immobilization equipment, and some power tools such as a drill.

• Operate general office equipment to include scanner, copier, printer, telephone, radio, and computer with Microsoft Office Suite.

• Utilize specialized software and systems to include ZIMS. 

Primary Work Location: Office, animal hospital, inside and outdoor animal enclosures, and Zoo grounds.

Protective Equipment Required: Safety glasses, face masks, exam gloves, radiation protective lead apron/gloves/thyroid shield, shoe covers/boots, and leather bite gloves. Other designated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for specific areas and activities within the Zoo based on needs.

Environmental/Health and Safety Factors:

Frequent exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards. Majority of work performed outside or with exposure to risk. Daily exposure to physical hazards from animals, communicable diseases. Weekly exposure to x-ray radiation, respiratory and chemical hazards. Monthly exposure to noise and vibration, electrical, fire, and explosive hazards; and seasonal exposure to mechanical hazards, extreme temperatures, wetness and humidity.

Physical Demands:

Constantly requires vision and hearing. Frequently requires standing, pushing/pulling, fine dexterity, climbing, walking/running, lifting, carrying, sitting, bending, reaching, crouching and stooping, handling/grasping, kneeling, twisting, and talking. Occasionally requires foot controls and balancing. Heavy strength demands include exerting 50-100 pounds occasionally, 20-50 pounds frequently, or from 10 up to 20 pounds constantly. Frequently requires restraining and capturing collection and non-collection animals for various procedures and installing/maintaining props/furniture in animal exhibit areas of the hospital.

Mental Demands:

Constantly requires working closely with others as part of a team. Frequently requires time pressures, change of tasks, performing multiple tasks simultaneously, tedious or exacting work, and irregular schedule/overtime. Occasionally involves noisy distracting environment and emergency situations.

The City of Greenville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Prospective and current employees should contact Human Resources to request an ADA accommodation.

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.