Veterinary Technician Internship

The Veterinary Technician Internship serves as an opportunity to receive hands‑on training as a Veterinary Technician in the field of zoological medicine. This internship must be in conjunction with a degree program from an accredited school of veterinary technology.

This internship is scheduled five days per week (Monday – Friday), eight hours per day (8:00‑4:30 pm), for a period of ten weeks (a minimum of 400 hours). Interns may be expected to work additional hours or weekends as needed. Interns are expected to attend the full ten weeks unless an abbreviated session has been previously approved (minimum 8 weeks). Additionally, four sessions take place annually:
Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Interns are responsible for arranging their own transportation and housing.

Assists the Veterinary Health Department with clinical procedures, including but not limited to:

• Learning to set up and break down medical procedures.
• Learning immobilization procedures such as anesthetic monitoring and recording, catheterization, etc.
• Learning to administer routine treatments on hospitalized animals.
• Learning to perform preventative health care of the collection such as manual restraint, phlebotomy, radiography.

45% of time is devoted to learning clinical procedures.

45% of time is devoted to maintaining the hospital, including cleaning and sanitization, equipment care, stocking supplies, etc.

40% of time is devoted to learning laboratory testing and sample preparation such as urinalysis and fecal exams, blood smears, etc.

15% of time is devoted to other duties or special projects as assigned.

* This position may at times be requested to perform other duties or special projects as assigned, which are in the best interest of the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium.

* All employees must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily and, upon request, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

• Must have completed first year or be a recent graduate of an accredited school of veterinary technology.
• GPA of 3.0 or higher desired.

• Must have valid driver’s license.
• Must have or be able to obtain negative TB test.
• Must be able to lift 75 pounds, with or without assistance. Assistance depending upon task or role.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays and evening hours, in all weather extremes.