Vet Tech Supervisor

Provide medical care for chimpanzees under Attending Veterinarian’s supervision and supervise veterinary technical staff.

This job description outlines the primary responsibilities of the position but is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Responsibilities and duties may evolve to meet the changing needs and priorities of the organization.

• Assist veterinarian with physical exams, treatments and procedures, including the collection of samples for testing.
• Perform routine veterinary procedures under direction of Veterinarian.
• Observe chimpanzees for detection of symptoms associated with disease.
• Dispense medication to chimpanzees under direction of veterinarian.
• Assist during surgery and necropsies, including operation of equipment and preparation of tissue samples.
• Autoclave surgical instruments.
• Maintain cleanliness of vet clinics
• Perform bi-weekly inspections of veterinary clinics
• Order and stock veterinary supplies.
• Record observations and may maintain chimpanzee medical records.
• Maintain medical equipment.
• Assist veterinarian or senior staff with sedation and recovery of chimpanzees.
• Coordinate laboratory tests and shipment.
• Assist behavioral or husbandry staff as required, including participation in colony management decisions.
• Assist with evaluation of data related to clinical cases. May assist with preparation of data for publication, presentation, or grants.
• Assist with educational programs. May lead programs.
• Work with Positive Reinforcement Training Coordinator/Vet Tech Trainer to coordinate training of chimpanzees to cooperate during medical procedures.
• Serve as Supervisor to veterinary technical staff
• Assist with the hiring of veterinary staff and coordinate and/or train staff on primary responsibilities.
• Creation of work schedules, coaching and staff performance evaluations
• Train animal care staff on veterinary techniques and procedures.
• May supervise and train volunteers.
• Perform related duties as required.

Education:

A degree in Veterinary Technology is preferred. An associate degree in a related field, or equivalent education combined with eight years of veterinary technician experience, may be considered in lieu of the degree requirement.

Experience and skills:

Five years of progressively responsible veterinary/clinical experience with NHP, zoological, laboratory animal, wildlife, or exotic animal preferred. Three years working with chimpanzees preferred. Demonstrated experience leading, training, mentoring, or supervising staff, as well as developing team members’ communication skills within and across animal care departments.

Experience and skills preferred:
Two years supervisory experience preferred.

• Have physical strength and agility (run, jump and climb)
• Ability for physical activity with the use of PPE for long periods indoors/outdoors in potentially extreme temperatures.
• Ability to bend, crawl, stretch, twist, reach out, kneel, squat, sit, stoop, lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects-including overhead.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time.
• Ability to consistently lift ~75 lbs. from floor to waist assisted.
• Ability to perform repetitive motions for long periods of time.
• Ability to keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position, including height and unstable ground.
• Ability to ascend/descend ramps, stairs and/or ladders.
• Manual dexterity
• o Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• o Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• o Use hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• o Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• o Assist with veterinary procedures and/or surgeries
• Near and far visual acuity
• Ability to…