Animal Health Technician

The Cape May County Park and Zoo is seeking a full-time Animal Health Technician that, under the supervision of a veterinarian, cares for and treats sick or injured animals and does other related duties as required in a zoological park.

Definition

All duties will be under the supervision of a veterinarian. Render treatment of sick or injured animals, including administering medication. Administer supplements, vaccinations or other preventative care and perform venipuncture. Observe, monitor and report abnormal behavior or conditions of animals to veterinarians. Operate, clean and maintain veterinary related equipment including but not limited to x-ray machine, anesthesia machine, monitoring equipment, fluid pumps, CRI pumps, active warming systems, ultrasound machine, microscopes, surgical instruments/supplies, centrifuge, etc. Assist in veterinary exams, procedures, and surgeries. Must be comfortable with appropriately restraining animals. Collect and prepare samples for laboratory testing. Perform basic in-house cytologic exams. Maintain on site veterinary pharmacy, controlled drug inventory and monitoring and manage ordering of outside compounded medications when deemed necessary. Perform dental work, basic wound care and emergency first aid. Assist zookeepers with animal care when deemed necessary. Maintain veterinary clinic.

Examples Of Work

• Renders treatment of sick or injured animals as directed by the veterinarian.
• Performs various animal husbandry, including, cleaning and maintaining animal areas.
• Administers prescribed medication as directed by the veterinarian. 
• Observes the behavior and condition of animals, monitors their clinical symptoms and reports findings to the veterinarian. 
• Performs preliminary examinations of animals to determine symptoms of disease or injury, and reports findings to the veterinarian.
• Operates x-ray equipment. 
• Restrains animals during exams or procedures.   
• Administers emergency first aid, such as emergency resuscitation or other life-saving procedures.   
• Collects, prepares, and labels samples for laboratory testing, culture, or microscopic examination.
• Performs laboratory tests to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems.   
• Prepares and administers medications, vaccines, serums, or other treatment, as prescribed by the veterinarian.   
• Prepares the operating area for surgical procedures.
• Assists the veterinarian in the preparation of animals for surgical procedures.
• Assists the veterinarian during surgical procedures by sterilizing instruments, securing supplies, providing requested surgical instruments, and disinfecting and cleaning operating areas, and  equipment.
• Cares for and monitors the condition of animals recovering from surgery.
• May administer anesthesia, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to the anesthetics.
• Assists with animal euthanasia and the authorized disposal of remains. 
• Performs dental work, such as cleaning, polishing, or extracting teeth.   
• Dresses wounds and applies splints or other protective devices.
• Cleans and disinfects kennels, animal holding areas, surgery suites, examination rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.   
• Schedules appointments and procedures.   
• Provides information regarding issues such as animal health care, behavior problems, or nutrition.    
• Maintains controlled drug inventory and related log books.
• Establishes and maintains essential records and files. 
• Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only.  A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Requirements

Education:

Satisfactory completion of sixty (60) college credits, including twelve (12) 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 (12) credit hours in veterinary sciences/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 in work involving animal nutrition, taxonomy, animal behavior, parasitology, or bacteriology.

NOTE: Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 11A:9-11b an applicant with five (5) years of experience in a veterinary office, animal hospital, animal shelter, or other similar place of work where animals are cared for or kept performing vaccinations, diagnostic tests, euthanasia, or various other medical treatments on animals or work involving animal nutrition, taxonomy, animal behavior, parasitology, or bacteriology and who does not meet all of the education requirements shall be eligible for the Animal Health Technician job title within the Civil Service local title listing.

Knowledge And Abilities:

• Knowledge of animal care and handling.
• Knowledge of the principles of normal and abnormal animal life processes.
• Ability to work closely with animals and assist in their care and treatment.        
• Ability to assist veterinarians in diagnostic, medical, and surgical procedures by preparing medications and applying dressings.
• Ability to gather and record information regarding cases. 
• Ability to prepare animals for examination and ready instruments for use. 
• Ability to collect various specimens and perform standardized laboratory tests. 
• Ability to disinfect cages and keep area in a sanitary condition.

Excellent medical benefits including prescription, dental and vision. Paid time off and enrollment in the State pension system.