Clinical Rehabilitation Associate

About The Job

The Clinical Rehabilitation Associate supports TRC’s mission by providing cross-functional patient care assistance throughout all phases of treatment and rehabilitation. This role is designed to be flexible, adapting to the needs of different stages of care and shifting responsibilities based on patient caseloads, staffing coverage requirements, seasonal demands, and operational priorities. It will fill critical staffing gaps and ensure continuity of care for our patients. It will also contribute to the teaching and supervision of student employees and volunteers, provide guidance to interns and visiting professionals, and represent TRC to the general public.

Key Competencies

• A basic level of skill in providing professional care to animals
• Strong observation skills
• Customer service experience
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Basic skills in the Microsoft Suite
• Ability to problem-solve

Location and Work Environment

The work will be performed in-person in the hospital at The Gabbert Raptor Center and is NOT hybrid eligible.

Work Schedule: 40 hours/week between the hours of 7AM and 7PM. This position requires flexibility in scheduling, including weekends, holidays, and periods of high patient volume.

Appointment Term

This position is for a term of 12 months.

Essential Employee Designation

This position is an Essential Employee.

Visa Sponsorship Eligibility

This position is not eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship.

Job Responsibilities

45%- Clinic Support Tasks and General Patient Care
Perform patient restraint for examinations, diagnostics, treatments, and procedures.
Conduct treatments, medication administration, daily patient assessments, feeding, cleaning, and husbandry.
Assist with diagnostics, sample preparation, laboratory procedures, radiographs, bloodwork, and anesthesia according to training and qualifications.
Participate in treatment planning discussions with veterinarians, SVTs, and CVT(s).
Complete medical records and patient documentation accurately and promptly.
Assist with clinic maintenance tasks, including inventory, restocking, and cleaning; preparing treatment areas; and preparing medications.

35%- Rehabilitation Duties
Participate in the rehabilitative care of all raptor patients who have completed medical care.
Tasks include but are not limited to: creating physical reconditioning schedules, evaluating flight mechanics, performing live prey training, pre-release examinations and diagnostics with a staff veterinarian, coordination of releases, imping (fe at her replacement), beak/talon coping, and participation in developing and updating in-house protocols and documentation of rehabilitation process for use in teaching and consultations.
Participate in the care for juvenile raptors during baby season
Tasks include, but are not limited to: providing care to juvenile raptors in the hospital who have completed medical treatment; training volunteers in basic care for juveniles; performing and coordinating renesting and fostering; and following up with the general public on reunites or fosters.
Assist in managing the mouse colony

10%- Teaching and Outreach
Assist with training and supervising students involved in patient care and rehabilitation activities.
Provide guidance and support to student employees, interns, and visiting professionals.
Communicate professionally with members of the public regarding injured birds, patient updates, transport arrangements, and rehabilitation activities.
Contribute to educational programming and training initiatives.
Represent TRC professionally in public-facing activities.

5%- Volunteer Training and Engagement
Assist with training and supervising volunteers involved in patient care and rehabilitation activities.
Support volunteer engagement efforts and educational opportunities.
Contribute to educational programming and training initiatives.

5%- Other Duties as Assigned

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in an animal-related field, biology, wildlife ecology/conservation, OR certified veterinary technician training plus two years’ experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience in veterinary technology, animal science, biology, wildlife rehabilitation, or related field to equal 4 years
• Ability to maintain composure in high-stress, emotionally charged environment, including through the euthanasia process
• Ability to communicate respectfully, clearly, and effectively through speaking, listening, writing, and responding to a variety of audiences, including volunteers, colleagues, and members of the public
• Ability to provide excellent customer service – in person, online, and on the telephone
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and effectively with others
• Comfort in speaking in front of audiences
• Basic competency in the Microsoft suite: Word, Excel, Gmail, PowerPoint
• Ability to project a positive attitude towards co-workers, supervisor, volunteers, and the public
• Ability to use time efficiently and take initiative to respond to departmental needs
• Ability to work as a team member in a highly dynamic, busy environment
• Flexibility in schedule that includes an ability to work during all seasons, weekends, evenings, and holidays, and the ability to fill some shifts on short notice

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) or eligibility for certification in Minnesota
• Two years of professional experience in wildlife rehabilitation, veterinary medicine, zoological medicine, or a related animal care field
• Experience with avian hematology and manual complete blood cell counts
• Knowledge of veterinary medicine terminology
• Knowledge of proper restraint and handling of large and small animals
• Basic raptor knowledge
• Experience working with raptors in a wildlife rehabilitation setting
• Experience working with volunteers
• Experience teaching and working with students