Veterinary Technician II - Wildlife Clinic - Tufts University

The Department of Iinfectious Disease and Global Health combines public/population health, international medicine, wildlife and conservation medicine and infectious disease teaching and research.  The department’s goal is to improve human, animal, and ecosystem health locally, nationally, and internationally. 

The Wildlife Clinic is a teaching hospital. All fourth-year veterinary students rotate through this section. The clinic provides diagnostic, surgical, and professional consultation services for diverse wildlife species native to new england and works with state and federal agencies and licensed wildlife rehabilitators as well as with a local nature/science center. The clinic serves the six new england states. The mission of the wildlife clinic at the cummings school of veterinary medicine at tufts university is to:

• Educate and engage veterinary students in the practice of wildlife medicine as well as the larger ethical and conservation issues that impact wildlife individuals and populations
• Provide humane, appropriate, and best achievable medical care and rehabilitation for wildlife patients with the goal of eventual release back to the wild
• Advance knowledge in the fields of wildlife and conservation medicine through high quality research activities with the goal of improving the well-being of wildlife individuals and populations
• Serve as an educational resource for veterinarians, wildlife rehabilitators, government agencies, and the general public

The veterinary technician II will provide high quality nursing care for wildlife patients, including handling and restraint, animal husbandry needs and assisting in all diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.  These include, but are not limited to, patient admissions, laboratory procedures, radiology, surgical assistance, and specialized treatment for wildlife species.  The technician provides vital input into clinical decisions for wildlife patients.  S/he will provide supervision, vital training, support, guidance and instruction to students, interns, and volunteers.  The technician also works with clinic veterinarians to provide for the husbandry needs of the wildlife patients by helping with upkeep and maintenance of enclosures/housing; to assist with the acquisition of patient housing, clinical equipment, and medical supplies; and to oversee the nursery ward, including organizing scheduling and managing the training program of nursery team. Weekend and holiday coverage will be required. This position is considered essential and is therefore required to report to work as scheduled during emergency closings.

Essential Functions include:

Patient care/technical support

• Management, monitoring, and treatment of > 4,000 wildlife cases/year in a progressive, high standard manner.
• Participate in patient admissions and provide input into triage decisions.
• Ensure proper care is given to all patients housed within the wildlife clinic by implementing and facilitating clinicians’ care decisions.
• Utilize knowledge of captive wildlife needs and independently make decisions regarding rehabilitation needs to provide optimum care.
• Provide quality technical assistance for clinical, academic and research applications daily and as needed.
• Clinical teaching of fourth-year veterinary students to be performed concurrent with these daily duties.
• Follow directions given by clinicians to ensure prompt patient care.
• Organize the wildlife baby team each spring and ensure that all shifts are covered when needed.
• Accurate record keeping in the clinical electronic medical record system is a requirement.

Teaching

• Instruct veterinary students and supervise student technicians in all technical aspects of wildlife cases. Provide support, guidance, and instruction to ward attendants, interns, work study students, summer undergraduate students, and volunteers.

Cleaning/stocking

• With other wildlife clinic staff members, coordinate and prioritize daily patient care and maintenance of adequate inventory for the clinic wards (medical supplies and pharmaceuticals).
• Responsible for accurate inventory of controlled drugs and recordkeeping of controlled drug use.
• Clean/stock/maintain clinic areas, which include but are not limited to wards and special procedures rooms. Facility maintenance duties may include laundry, cage cleaning and other duties.

Miscellaneous

• Other responsibilities as needed include public outreach. Provide coverage for other technician shifts and sections of the hospital as needed. Participate in service and hospital-wide initiatives as required.

Basic Requirements:

• 2 years related experience in a teaching hospital.
• Associates or BS degree in veterinary technology or other animal biology related field.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively as a member of a diverse team of clinical and administrative professionals
• CVT in good standing
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn electronic medical record systems and other software systems used.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. With or without accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two plus years of experience working with wildlife species.
• Knowledge of husbandry needs for common wildlife species seen in the clinic.
• Candidate should possess the ability to handle a high caseload and stressful situations.
• Following direction and prioritizing the workload is a necessity.
• Candidate should have a good understanding of medical terminology and familiarity with veterinary pharmacology.
• Technical abilities should include patient restraint, venipuncture skills, knowledge of fluid administration, knowledge of anesthesia of a range of species (avian, mammal, reptile,) medicating, monitoring, and treating patients.
• This position requires good interpersonal skills in relating to co-workers, clinicians, students, staff, and the general public. Candidate should be a highly motivated, enthusiastic self-starter with a professional attitude.