Veterinary Technician

Atlanta
225 Baker Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30313, USA

Position Title: Veterinary Technician (VT)

Department: Animal Health (AH)

Classification: Non-Exempt

Employee Type: TSN - Team Spec FT Nexe

Direct Report: Senior Manager Animal Health and Commissary Operations

Position Summary

The Veterinary Technician (VT) works with a diverse team to support daily operation of the Animal Health Department (AH), including activities at our satellite facilities. Under the guidance of the veterinarians, the VT works directly with collection animals performing diagnostic procedures and administering treatments in addition to assisting with the maintenance of clinical records and implementation of a program of preventative medicine.

The VT is able to operate and maintain medical and diagnostic equipment and related instrumentation in all areas of AH. This individual is responsible for processing and management of diagnostic sample submissions as well as the organization and distribution of data generated from those samples. Under the direction and supervision of the SMAHCO and veterinarians, in cooperation with other technicians, this individual assists with management of the pharmacy and volunteer activities.

The VT works interdependently with other AH staff, Zoological Operations staff and veterinarians and staff from the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine (UGA-CVM) to ultimately yield the highest standard of aquatic animal health care and provide a reliable program of quality control.

• Supports GAI’s veterinary and animal care staff to ensure an exceptional level of daily, primary clinical care for all species maintained by GAI.
• Provides medical treatments and performs daily evaluations of patients under the guidance of staff veterinarians. If/when staff veterinarians are not on the premises assesses emergent/novel cases, consulting with GAI veterinarians via phone and internet.
• Assists with the operation and maintenance of all veterinary diagnostic and related equipment within the GAI veterinary surgical and exam suite.
• Helps maintain inventory of supplies, medications and other clinically related items in the surgical and exam suite.
• Maintains a high level of competency in operation of all diagnostic equipment as well as with standard, in-house diagnostic procedures such as cytological and/or microbiological sample collection, complete blood counts, parasite screening and necropsy techniques.
• Assists in maintaining the GAI veterinary pharmacy, ensuring compliance with controlled substances regulations, removing and replacing expired medications and supplies.
• Supports maintenance and operation of the GAI Diagnostic Laboratory via sample processing, stocking/ordering supplies, cleaning/organizing, data entry of results into medical records, and notification of receipt of results to appropriate individuals.
• Supports the GAI pathology program via transfer of specimens to the necropsy suite, performing postmortem evaluations ranging from basic data collection to full necropsies and cleaning/organizing the specimen refrigerators and necropsy suite.
• Works within GAI’s Hospital and Diagnostic Laboratory participating enthusiastically in a program of quality control for all in-house veterinary diagnostic, medical/surgical equipment and associated instrumentation.
• Maintains GAI diagnostic and related medical records at the highest standards. Updates medical records daily as necessary. Attends medical rounds and gives progress reports.
• Assists with the organization and direction of a team of volunteers that participate in and support daily clinical activities.
• Is on-call for emergency duty during certain critical time periods (i.e., when necessary, provides technical support outside standard working hours, during animal transports, critical medical cases, inclement weather etc.).
• With approval from the SMAHCO and Director, Animal Health, attends zoological/aquatic animal health related meetings and/or conferences for purposes of continuing education, networking and dissemination of information.
• Participates in scientific studies and/or field operations as needed.
• Works seamlessly with all GAI staff and…