Veterinary Technician

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JOB SUMMARY:

National Aquarium is seeking a full time licensed veterinary technician to join the Animal Care and Welfare Team. The responsibilities of this role will include providing veterinary technician support to National Aquarium’s collection (invertebrates, amphibians, fish, elasmobranchs, reptiles, birds, and mammals) and rescue animals (seals and sea turtles) under the direction of the veterinarians.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

Essential responsibilities include:

• Performs daily medical treatments as instructed by the veterinarians.

• Prepares medications to be administered, including accurate calculations of appropriate doses and filling of prescriptions.
• Capable of performing clinical radiology demands of an exotic practice, including following technique charts, creating new machine settings if not available, and improvising with positioning techniques.
• Performs phlebotomy on collection animals.
• Performs or assists in necropsies.
• Assists veterinarians in surgical procedures including anesthesia administration and monitoring and appropriate surgical equipment set up.
• Responds to emergency situations during or after hours.
• Must be able to apply general principles of veterinary technician duties in novel animals and situations, utilizing primary experience, consulting with other professionals, and published references.
• Updates computerized medical records as appropriate, including laboratory submissions.
• Instrument and equipment maintenance.
• Performs laboratory procedures including blood analysis, CBC, serum/plasma prep for send outs and storage, parasitology, urinalysis, and microbiology when necessary.     
• Provides feedback to veterinarians regarding clinical cases.        
• Instructs veterinary preceptors and volunteers as needed.
• Other duties as assigned or required.
• Support company mission.
• Adhere to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned or required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have at least 1-3 years of veterinary technician experience in comparable practice (AZA or exotics/wildlife experience preferred).
• Registered through a state board as a Veterinary Technician or become registered within 6 months of employment.
• Obtain Maryland Veterinary Technician license within 6 months of employment.
• Ability to learn and effectively use all proprietary Aquarium software (Tracks) 
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes weekend and/or evening hours, including on-call. 
• Ability to perform duties that may include walking or standing for extended periods, lifting, climbing ladders, and working closely with others. 
• Exceptional communication skills and the ability to work with diverse husbandry staff are essential. 
• Employees assigned to this position will be required to possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator’s license, have an acceptable driving record, and possess the ability to drive a variety of vehicles (cars, vans/trucks). 

Competencies:                   

• Must be competent in practice of veterinary technology, drug calculations, medical department protocols (i.e. Quarantine, Controlled Drugs), clinical laboratory practices/procedures, ordering procedures, and equipment operation/maintenance.
• Must possess capacity to become knowledgeable regarding aquatic and exotic animal anatomy and be able to apply standard clinical/veterinary technician procedures to an aquarium setting.
• Must have an affinity for animals and have the capacity to make decisions based on the best interest of the collection.
• Additionally, they should be able to quickly make decisions in emergencies. Must be able to evaluate situations and to know when to act independently or to seek consultation from veterinarian.

TOTAL COMPENSATION

Salary range $18.27 to $24.87 hourly: National Aquarium provides an excellent benefits package, including four weeks paid time off, and six floating holidays and up to four weeks of paid family leave. Employees are eligible for health care (single and family) after 30 days of full-time work. Conservation day leave and 401(k) plan with employer match available.

About the National Aquarium

Established in 1981, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet. The Aquarium’s award-winning habitats are home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. We are proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and exceed industry standards in all aspects of animal care and welfare.

More than 1.2 million people visit the Aquarium each year to experience our immersive exhibits, and we reach far more through our science-based education programs and hands-on field conservation work. The National Aquarium is one of the top three aquariums in the United States and the largest paid cultural attraction in Maryland.

Our Mission and Goals

The Aquarium’s mission—to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet—begins within the walls of its buildings, but it does not end there. The Aquarium protects, enhances and restores natural resources through education and engagement, habitat restoration, animal rescue and sustainable business practices, with its conservation work guided by three overarching goals—to combat climate change, save wildlife and habitats, and stop plastic pollution.

Our Values

At the National Aquarium, our core values form the basis for our beliefs about our organization, our colleagues and ourselves, and serve as the framework to guide our behaviors and actions to achieve our mission.

Connection: We take the time to build lasting connections with each other, our guests, the animals in our care and the nature that surrounds us. We communicate clearly and collaborate readily within and across teams. We engage thoughtfully with our partners. We practice shared accountability.

Curiosity: We center learning and growth in all that we do. Our people are empowered to explore new approaches. We support taking risks. We value diverse perspectives and bold ideas. We embrace change.

Optimism: We celebrate the power of positive moments and shared experiences. We seek out opportunities to have fun. We reconnect with our purpose through sharing successes with our colleagues.

Service: We are in service to each other, our guests and our communities. We make intentional decisions and actions for the benefit of the people and animals within our organization.

Wellbeing: We ensure our people and animals have what they need mentally and physically to thrive. We are committed to improving the wellbeing of communities and sharing the healing power of natural for all.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

National Aquarium values an inclusive and diverse environment for all employees, volunteers, and interns. Our goal is to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a candidate pool representative of the variety of communities we serve. With a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, the Aquarium is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and promotes an environment free from all discrimination and harassment.

In the selection and retention of employees, volunteers, and interns, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social, or ethnic origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical, mental, or sensory disability, sex (including pregnancy or childbirth), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, arrest record, family or caregiver status, HIV status, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Our organization is dedicated to this policy with respect to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, training, promotions, performance management, and separation, and general treatment during time of employment.

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Equal Opportunity Employer
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