Veterinary Technician

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The Oregon Zoo is looking for a Veterinary technician to join our dynamic veterinary team where you will play a key part in providing exceptional medical care to a diverse range of species at our state‑of‑the‑art Veterinary Medical Center. If you have experience with anesthesia monitoring, diagnostics, imaging, clinical procedures, laboratory techniques, emergency response, and exotic animals, this is your opportunity to use your expertise in a truly unique and meaningful environment.

• Assist veterinarians in clinical procedures on a variety of zoo animal species:
  • Prepare treatment area or surgery room with appropriate instruments, monitoring equipment, and emergency supplies as indicated by the veterinarian.
  • Assist in safe and appropriate manual and chemical animal restraint techniques.
  • Perform as surgical nurse or anesthetist as directed by the veterinarian.
  • Administer treatments, collect medical samples in a variety of zoo animals, and maintain medical records.
  • Use advanced imaging equipment to produce diagnostic quality studies in all size of patients.
  • Clean instruments and work areas following medical procedures and sterilize surgical instruments and darts.
  • Perform resuscitation and emergency procedures in non-domestic mammals, avian and herptile species.

• Perform in-house lab analysis including but not limitedto:
  • Automated hematology and chemistry analysis in most mammal species.
  • Manual hematology of avian reptile and amphibian species.
  • Manual hematology with cell morphology description in elephant samples.
  • Identification of fecal parasites of avian, herptiles, and zoo mammal species.
  • Use of advanced parasitological examinations in zoo animals.
  • Urinalysis and urine sediment evaluation of non‑domestic species.
  • Cytology of samples from a variety of zoo animal species.

• Dispense prescribed medications following appropriate labeling and controlled drug regulations with ability to provide keeper education on proper administration and observations.
• Perform triage and treatment administration in non-domestic animals.
• Contribute to the daily care and treatment of hospitalized, neonatal, and critical patients. Participate in operant conditioning training for medical behaviors and procedures as required by medical needs and as directed by the veterinarians.
• Understand and be prepared for Emergency Code Responses.
• May be required to prepare darts and immobilize an animal under the directive of a zoo veterinarian during an emergency situation.

• Proven ability to monitor anesthesia in a large variety of zoo animals ranging from fish and insects to mega vertebrates and apes.
• Demonstrated ample technical skillset working with exotic zoo animals in a clinical environment including IV catheter placement and phlebotomy in zoo animals.
• Adequate knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and treatment of disease in non- domestic species.
• Demonstrated knowledge of modern laboratory principles, techniques and equipment with the ability to apply them in clinical analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to perform manual hematology on avian, amphibian and reptile species. Demonstrated ability to perform CBC’s and advanced skills for analysis of elephant blood samples. Demonstrated skills to adequately perform cytology of samples of mammals, avian and herptile species.
• Experience with infectious diseases and control procedures related to zoo animals. Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions while working with zoo animals including knowledge of risk while…