Veterinary Technician
Location
Oregon Zoo, Oregon, United States
Work type
Hybrid
Employment
Full Time
Experience
3-7 years
Compensation
$33 - $44 per hour
Posted
4d ago
Summary and responsibilities
Role overview
Summary
The Oregon Zoo is seeking a Veterinary Technician to provide exceptional medical care to diverse species at its Veterinary Medical Center. This role involves assisting veterinarians in clinical procedures, performing diagnostics and laboratory analysis, and contributing to the daily care of hospitalized animals. The technician will utilize expertise in anesthesia monitoring, imaging, and emergency response for exotic animals.
Metro is seeking a Veterinary Technician to join the Oregon Zoo’s dynamic veterinary team and provide exceptional medical care to a diverse range of zoo species at its state-of-the-art Veterinary Medical Center. The Veterinary Technician will assist veterinarians with clinical procedures, anesthesia monitoring, diagnostics, imaging, laboratory testing, emergency response, animal restraint, medication administration, and treatment of exotic animals. Responsibilities include preparing treatment and surgical areas, assisting with manual and chemical restraint, serving as a surgical nurse or anesthetist, administering treatments, collecting samples, maintaining medical records, performing diagnostic imaging, sterilizing instruments and darts, and assisting with emergency and resuscitation procedures involving mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and other non-domestic species. The role will perform in-house laboratory analyses including automated and manual hematology and chemistry, fecal parasite identification, advanced parasitology, urinalysis, urine sediment evaluation, and cytology across a variety of zoo species, including specialized analysis of elephant blood samples. The technician will dispense prescribed medications in accordance with labeling and controlled-drug regulations, educate animal care staff on medication administration, perform triage and treatments, and support hospitalized, neonatal, and critical patients. The position will also participate in operant conditioning for medical behaviors and procedures, emergency code responses, and animal immobilization when directed by a zoo veterinarian.
Successful candidates will have strong anesthesia monitoring skills across a wide range of species, including exotic animals, as well as experience with IV catheter placement, phlebotomy, laboratory diagnostics, and veterinary clinical procedures. Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, disease treatment, infectious disease control, animal nursing, occupational hazards, and safety precautions associated with zoo animals is required. Candidates should be proficient with veterinary and laboratory equipment including anesthesia machines, monitoring systems, IV pumps, radiology, ultrasound, endoscopy equipment, microscopes, and centrifuges. Strong communication, professionalism, integrity, confidentiality, organization, and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment are essential.
Minimum qualifications include an Associate’s degree in a veterinary science-related field and three years of full-time professional veterinary technician animal-care experience, including significant and current anesthesia monitoring experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Candidates must be legally credentialed to practice as a Veterinary Technician and maintain an Oregon veterinary technician license in good standing, or be eligible to obtain Oregon licensure within six months if currently licensed in another state. A current rabies vaccination or willingness to receive required vaccination and boosters is required, as is a valid driver’s license and driving record that meets Metro’s insurance requirements. Experience working at an AZA-accredited facility and experience with exotic animals are preferred. The position is primarily based in a veterinary hospital or laboratory environment with frequent walking, standing, lifting, grabbing, and stooping. Employees routinely work around dangerous animals and potential zoonotic risks and must be able to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds and occasionally more.
Updated 4d ago
Candidate fit
Skills and qualifications
Additional skills
Experience
3-7 years
Certifications
How this role is positioned
Role classification
Job domains
Industries
Employment
Full Time
Contract duration
Permanent
Hiring type
Direct
Global hiring
Location specific
Offer details
Compensation and benefits
Compensation
$33 - $44 per hour
Location, schedule, and role shape
Work setup
Work conditions
Bandwidth profile
Context on the employer
Company snapshot
Company
Oregon Zoo
Team size
Growing team
Location
Oregon Zoo, Oregon, United States
Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow. The Oregon Zoo is looking for a Veterinary technician to join our dynamic veterinary team where you will play a key part in providing exceptional medical care to a diverse range of species at our state-of-the-art Veterinary Medical Center. As part of the Metro family, the Oregon Zoo helps make greater Portland a great place to call home. Metro brings people together to shape the future of our area and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. The Oregon Zoo inspires visitors to learn about protecting endangered species and restoring native habitats and is the state's most popular paid attraction.
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Veterinary Technician
Oregon Zoo, Oregon, United States • Full Time