Veterinary Technician

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Milwaukee County oversees operations from our Airport, Behavioral Health, Child Support Enforcement, Combined Court Operations, Sheriffs Department, Community Reintegration Center, Human Services, Parks, Public Safety, Public Works, Fleet Operations, Transportation, and at the Zoo. Our departments are also dedicated to our Seniors in the Department on Aging, those with Disabilities, and Veterans Affairs. Our employees also remain committed to serve the cultural, human, recreational and social needs of the entire community.

Milwaukee County offers a wide variety of interesting jobs for people who want to make a difference in our community. Milwaukee County provides a competitive benefit package and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  If disability related accommodations are needed, please contact 414-278-3936.
 

We are searching for Changemakers to come and join our team and discover our diverse and versatile community of independent spirits and unique talents, we are redefining the way you think about Milwaukee County!

Veterinary Technician

Department: Milwaukee County Zoo

Full-time, Hourly

Hourly Range: $20.87 - $23.34/hr

Closing Date: 9/19/2024 or upon receipt of the first 50 application submissions 

Job Summary

The Veterinary Technician assists veterinarians with clinical duties, performs laboratory sample analyses, evaluates inventory, purchases lab,medical and pharmaceutical products, schedules and coordinates veterinary procedures with other animal subdivisions, manages carcass disposition, implements safety procedures, performs routine quality control monitoring of hospital equipment, and implements the radiation exposure control program. The Veterinary Technician will also maintain a positive culture of collaboration, accountability, and respectful behavior.

Work Schedule: Employee must have availability to work days, overtime, weekends and shift rotations as needed.

Job Responsibilities

• Clinical Duties - Assist with animal procedures and perform anesthesia and assigned veterinary procedures with limited veterinary supervision. Clean and sterilize medical equipment and assist in handling controlled and hazardous substances Provide nursing care as well as transport and restraint of animals.
• Laboratory duties - Collect lab specimens safely from a wide variety of zoo animals.  Prepare specimens and perform laboratory analysis and sample processing (e.g., fecal analysis, hematology, serum chemistry, urinalysis, cytology, etc) and, distribute samples to specialized laboratories. Maintain the sample storage system. Perform computer entries of laboratory results.
• Zoo hospital management - Develop and implement hospital protocols and SOP's and manage biohazard waste. Coordinate parasite control program including sample request and submission.  Manage Inventory and order lab, medical and pharmaceutical supplies as well as coordinate equipment repair.   
• Quality Control - Perform routine quality control testing on various medical equipment including monitoring and testing oxygen system for leaks, testing anesthesia machine for leaks, and repair if necessary. Monitor liquid nitrogen storage tanks and purge outdated drugs monthly.
• Other duties - Assist with carcass disposition. Participate in school group programs, contribute to the development and improvement of the profession through participation in conservation and research projects and professional organizations.
• Ability to safely and properly operate various types of vehicles, box trucks with lifts, microscopes, general office equipment, hand tools, laboratory equipment, medical and surgical equipment, and radiographic as well as X-ray equipment.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.; push and pull up to 50 lbs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education, License/Certification and Experiences

• Valid Driver’s license required and must be maintained throughout employment
• Associate degree or higher in Veterinary Technology required
• One (1) year or more work experience as a veterinary technician, including diagnostic testing. Zoo experience strongly preferred as the collection consists of species found worldwide in the wild and includes megavertebrates, hoofstock, apes, primates, fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and large carnivores.
• Valid Veterinary Technician certification required
• Intermediate knowledge of computer and software applications including word processing software and spreadsheets required
• Basic knowledge of Zoological Information Management Systems (ZIMS) required or must be obtained within six (6) months of hire.
• Basic knowledge of Cloud based applications for expense processing and procurement required or must be obtained within six (6) months of hire.

Note: This Original Examination is open to all qualified applicants authorized to work in the United States. The incumbent must establish residency in Wisconsin within six (6) months of appointment and maintain such residency throughout their incumbency. In accordance with Rule III section 11 of the Civil Service Rules a non-competitive examination will be held for this position. The non-competitive examination will consist of a review of candidate materials, education and related experience.

APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF FILING APPLICATION

Milwaukee County is committed to fostering an equitable working environment, free from discrimination and harassment, on the basis of any characteristic protected by law. We prohibit any form of discrimination, harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, pregnancy related condition, national origin, age, disability, FMLA status, sexual orientation, military status, marital status, or any other category or status that is now or in the future protected by federal, state, and local law. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing, background checks and pre-employment physicals subject to job requirements. If special accommodations are needed, please contact 414-278-3936.