Technologist, Animal Care

Position Summary

Support Staff Full-time New Position

(First consideration for Support Staff and Academic positions will be given to internal applicants in accordance with the respective Collective Agreements)

Conestoga College is excited to announce the launch of our new animal care programs starting in fall 2025. These programs, based at our newly renovated Kitchener-Doon campus, are designed to address the growing need for skilled professionals in animal care.

Our programs feature state-of-the-art laboratory facilities where students will engage in hands-on learning experiences. These labs are equipped with realistic animal models and advanced simulation technology, allowing students to develop essential veterinary skills in a controlled environment. Students will participate in various lab activities, including animal anatomy, clinical pathology, and surgical procedures, before applying their knowledge in real-world clinical placements.

We are seeking a dedicated technologist to join our team and support these innovative lab experiences. The Technologist, Animal Care plays a crucial role in supporting our animal care programs within the School of Community Services. Their responsibilities encompass various laboratory activities across the Pet Grooming, Veterinary Assistant, and Veterinary Technician programs.

Successful candidates will be required to conduct work on-site five days per week, Monday to Friday, at Conestoga’s Doon campus located at 299 Doon Valley Drive in Kitchener. Flexibility in scheduling, including weekends may be required to meet program needs.

Responsibilities

Laboratory preparation and pet coordination

• Responsible for preparing all laboratory materials including models, cadavers, solutions, chemicals, media, tissue preparations, blood, and feces
• Ensures samples are available for student labs, which may require picking up samples from requisite sites both on-campus and off-campus
• Maintains the cleanliness and organization of lab spaces, equipment and models
• Contributes to effective learning experience for students by providing a well-prepared and hygienic environment
• Organizes pets for live animal labs to ensure sufficient numbers to meet the learning objectives of the lab
• Assists faculty in organizing and guiding students in labs delivered at off site locations, such as a farm, research facility, etc.
  
  

Student assessment

• Under the direction of faculty, contributes to the evaluation of student performance in the lab, in relation to program standards, documents and consults findings
• Provides remedial skill assistance to students on referral from faculty
• Tests student performance following remedial assistance as well as return demonstration of a skill
  
  

Laboratory equipment and maintenance

• Maintains and operates laboratory equipment within the Animal Care lab spaces in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications and requirements
• Documents scheduled and non-scheduled hours of lab usage, equipment usage and other data
• Promotes good public relations through contacts with personnel from other educational facilities, agencies and commercial sales representatives
• Participates in program promotional activities related to prospective students
• Supports supervisor in maintaining and ordering lab equipment, general supplies and consumables for labs in the Animal Care program spaces
• Assists in the assessment of capital and non-capital equipment and supplies
  
  

Safety And Compliance

• Ensures faculty and students are always following established safety guidelines
• Monitors the overall safety of both animals and learners while participating in lab activities
• Follows established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in the event of an injury of staff or students, or a medical crisis of a pet
  
  

Protocol Development And Committee Membership

• Participates on committees relevant to the Animal Care programs (e.g. accreditation committees, Occupational Health and Safety review, lab safety committee and animal care committee)
• Contributes to curriculum development through input at team meetings
• Participates in the development and review of SOPs
  
  

Qualifications

• Minimum two-year diploma in Veterinary Technician or Veterinary Technology
• Minimum two years of experience working as a Registered Veterinary Technician is required
• Must be registered in good standing as a Registered Veterinary Technician in the Province of Ontario
• Fear Free certification and RECOVER Rescuer CPR certification is an asset
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills in working with faculty, students and others
• High-level organizational skills for planning activities in the lab
• Self-motivated and creative abilities to develop and maintain the lab as a relevant dynamic learning resource for the Animal Care programs
• Ability to work independently
• Able to lift weighted patient models such as large dog mannequins and pets for grooming
  
  

This position works with animals. The successful applicant will be required to provide proof of rabies vaccination and protective titre. Maintenance of a fully vaccinated status for rabies will be required.

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