What are the responsibilities and job description for the Veterinary Technician (Certified, Vet Tech) position at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens?
Are you passionate about animal care and eager to make a real difference? We’re seeking a skilled and dedicated full-time, Certified Veterinary Technician to join our Animal Health team and play a crucial role in the care and well-being of over 1,400 resident animals.
In this dynamic role, you’ll collaborate with our expert hospital staff, including veterinarians and keepers, to perform exams, surgeries, and first aid, ensuring that our animals receive the highest standard of care. Whether monitoring vital signs, documenting case histories, or conducting diagnostic procedures like X-rays, EKGs, and lab tests, your expertise will be vital to our animals' health.
You’ll also need to demonstrate proficiency in converting dosages from milligrams to kilograms, pounds, and other necessary measurements, ensuring accurate medication administration. Your ability to apply this knowledge in a real-world setting will be critical in providing safe and effective treatments for our animals.
- Perform exams, assist with surgeries, and provide first aid.
- Conduct diagnostic procedures like X-rays, EKGs, and lab tests to help with accurate diagnoses.
- Administer medications accurately, converting dosages from milligrams to kilograms, pounds, and other necessary units.
- Manage emergencies, providing first aid and assisting veterinarians with critical care procedures.
What You Bring:
- Completion of an accredited Veterinary Technician program with current certification or licensure as Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), or the Licensed Veterinary Medical Technician (LVMT).
- Experience in inputting and managing species-specific medical dosages and treatment protocols within a system like ZIMS, ensuring that dosages are customized based on the animal’s size, age, and condition.
- Proficiency in utilizing tools for converting between various units of measurement (e.g., milligrams to kilograms, pounds to grams) to ensure accurate and precise medication dosing, particularly when working with exotic species or handling different types of medications.
- Hands-on experience in veterinary care within a zoo and/or aquarium, particularly in surgical prep, nursing, and emergency response.
- Hands-on experience in veterinary care, within a zoo and/or aquarium, particularly in working with exotic animals.
- Proficient in monitoring vital signs, performing diagnostic tests, and assisting with surgeries.
- Effective communication skills to interact with both the veterinary team and zoo guests.
- Ability to consistently remain on your feet for 6-8 hours on shift.
- Ability to consistently speak (enunciate) clearly in conversation and communications.
- Ability to consistently remain on your feet for prolonged periods of time.
- Manual dexterity for standing, reaching, flexibility, and body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling, stoop, bend, lift, kneel, crawl, climb, jump, dig and prolonged standing.
- Auditory ability for verbal communication/conversation/responses via telephone, telephone systems, two-way radio, and face-to-face interactions.
- Ability to work outdoors and indoors under all environmental conditions and temperatures.
- Ability to transport and move items up to 50 pounds occasionally, without difficulty.
- Ability to ascend/ descend ladders, steps, and uneven terrain, while maintaining body equilibrium while performing various jobs.
- Ability to access and navigate each department at the organization on foot, including any construction sites.
- Visual and auditory acuity appropriate for safety and discern differences in documents.
- Exceptional visual acuity is required, along with the ability to communicate, comprehend and decipher/hear information accurately, using a two-way radio.
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens embraces diversity in a meaningful way and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of a person's actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, place of birth, sex, age, religion, creed, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, weight, or height.
EOE / DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE
