Animal Health Technician

Under the direction of the Veterinarian and Zoo Curator, monitors the overall health of the animal collection at the Bergen County Zoo and cares for and treats sick or injured animals.

Job Details Bergen County Zoo is seeking an Animal Health Technician to perform duties related to the medical care and management of the health and well-being of our animal collection.

The Animal Health Technician is involved in the daily operation and maintenance of the Zoo’s hospital and records. Essential Functions :

• Duties include, but are not limited to, medicating and observing animals, performing laboratory tests, conducting routine fecal analysis, running x-ray equipment, assisting the Veterinarian during surgeries, cleaning hospital cages, and other work as assigned.
• Renders treatment to sick or injured animals as directed by the Veterinarian and / or Zoo Curator.
• Medicates animals as prescribed.
• May perform preliminary visual or physical examination of animals and report findings to the Veterinarian and / or Zoo Curator.
• Performs diagnostics, including radiographs and routine laboratory tests.
• Has knowledge of animal care and handling.
• Assists in surgery by participating in sedation / immobilization, surgery site preparation, IV catheter placement, anesthetic monitoring and patient recovery.

Duties also include record keeping, sterilizing instruments, securing supplies, and cleaning the operating area.

• Disinfects cages for the control and eradication of infections and communicable diseases.
• Under the direction of the Veterinarian, would be involved in euthanasia and necropsy of terminally sick animals.
• May provide direction to Animal Keeping staff regarding animal medical issues.
• Gathers and records information regarding cases to prepare animal patients for examinations and ready drugs and equipment for use.
• Helps to organize and maintain the Zoo’s technical library to ensure a complete selection of necessary volumes pertinent to the Zoo’s operation.
• May attend conferences or continuing education courses related to the veterinary care field.
• Has knowledge of zoology, biology, and animal management.
• Is able to recognize and analyze problems with the purpose of solving them in an efficient and effective manner.

Education :

• Satisfactory completion of sixty (60) college credits, including eighteen (18) credit hours in veterinary science / technology, animal science technology, zoology, biology, animal husbandry or related fields, at an accredited college or university.
• Note : Applicants who possess eighteen (18) credit hours in veterinary science / technology, animal science technology, zoology, biology, animal husbandry or related fields but who do not meet the remaining educational requirement may substitute one (1) additional year of experience as described below for each thirty (30) credit hours they are lacking.

Experience :

• One (1) year of experience in a veterinary office, animal hospital or animal shelter performing vaccinations, diagnostic tests, euthanasia, and / or various other medical treatment on animals or work involving animal nutrition, taxonomy, animal behavior, parasitology or bacteriology,
• Zoo or exotic animal experience preferred.

NOTE :

A passing score on the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) administered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) may be substituted for the required education and experience.

Schedule :

• Full Time, 40 hours per week
• Occasional overtime
• Must work one weekend day and some holidays

Benefits include :

• Paid time off (vacation, sick, personal, holiday)
• Medical, prescription and dental insurance plans
• Pension plan
• Tuition reimbursement
30+ days ago