Veterinarian Technician- Harborview Aquarium

Full-time position at $21/hour.

About the role

This position performs a variety of duties related to the care and wellbeing of Aquarium animals. Primarily responsible for disease prevention, performing disease and injury treatments, and monitoring collection health, as well as the overall monitoring and reporting of health and behavior. These observations may include sick animals, safety hazards, maintenance problems, or treatment of animals.

Responsibilities

• Undertake daily operations within the Life Sciences Department to ensure the highest level of safety, courtesy, education, efficiency, and operational readiness at all times.
• Maintain positive representation to professional agencies, institutions, and various committees.
• Comply with health and safety standards in accordance with local municipality, state, and federal rules and regulations.
• Routinely assist with all aspects of preventative and emergency exams, anesthesia monitoring, radiology, ultrasonography, endoscopy, surgery, and dental work.
• Perform a full range of veterinary technician skills including phlebotomy, gavage feeding, fluid therapy, restraint, and other supportive care treatments.
• Operate typical veterinary equipment such as x-ray, autoclave, diagnostic machinery, microscopes, blood chemistry machinery, gas anesthesia machinery, and laser therapy equipment.
• Perform calculations involving dilutions and dosages.
• Dispense, administer, and record medications as prescribed by a veterinarian.
• Maintain medical packs, perform routine equipment maintenance tasks, and assist in the upkeep of the medical supply inventories.
• Assist with necropsies, including the collection and preparation of tissues for histopathologic evaluation.
• Obtain various samples from Aquarium animals and prepare them for diagnostic laboratory testing, such as skin scrapes/gill clips, fecal analysis, hematology, cytology, parasitology, urinalysis, and microbiology.
• Collaborate with team members in organizing, prioritizing, and delegating various animal health tasks.
• Communicate courteously and effectively with all Life Science staff regarding animal medical-related information and treatments.
• Perform duties to reduce loss/waste, control costs, and accurately communicate expenses.
• Maintain up-to-date electronic records on animal health, system maintenance, system checks, and stock reports.
• Comply with all policy and procedure documents.
• Assist in emergency situations to minimize damage, loss, or injury to guests, team members, animals, or company property.
• In collaboration with Guest Experience Department and the Aquarium Foundation, ensure exhibits and programs engage, educate, and entertain diverse audiences.
• Work closely with the Aquarium Foundation to ensure volunteers and educators provide exemplary guest service and engagement.
• Perform dive requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• One year or more experience as a vet tech required.
• Vet tech certificate required.
• Open water certification preferred.
• First Aid, Emergency O2, and AED certification are preferred but will be provided if needed.
• Experienced with fresh and saltwater animals, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of disease prevention and treatment.
• Extensive knowledge of the disposition, habits, food requirements, and environmental needs of a diverse animal collection.
• Experience working with relevant authorities and accrediting associations.
• Competency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong teamwork, interpersonal, and organizational skills conducive to a positive work environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong listening, presentation, and decision-making skills.

Abilities

• Requires walking/standing for long periods of time, bending and crouching, climbing, working in small/tight spaces, and lifting up to 50 lbs.
• May require driving aquarium vehicles, operating heavy machinery, using power tools, and working around chemicals.
• Ability to read, listen, and communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to access and accurately input information using a moderately complex computer system.
• Hearing and visual ability to observe and detect signs of emergency situations.
• May require immunizations including TB testing and rabies.

Schedule

The leisure business functions seven days a week. Due to the seasonal nature of the industry, team members may be required to work varying schedules, weekends, holidays, and overtime to reflect the business needs of the property. Team members may also be required to attend group and/or department meetings in addition to the work shift as necessary.