Registered Veterinary Technician Internship - San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
About The Position
The Registered Veterinary Technician Intern supports San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's mission integrating wildlife health and care, science, and education to develop sustainable conservation solutions. The intern will perform the duties of a veterinary technician under the direction and supervision of the staff veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Duties include, but are not limited to: assisting with daily treatments of hospitalized animals, preventative medical care, assisting the veterinary staff with clinical and surgical procedures, performing diagnostic radiographs, and providing technical support and nursing care for the collection, while advocating for the animals entrusted to our care. This position reports to the Veterinary Services Wildlife Care Supervisor & Veterinary Services Wildlife Health Manager. The intern will recognize, provide care for, treat, evaluate and medicate patients, and assist the hospital team in setting up for various scheduled and emergency procedures. They will also have the opportunity to work with a large diversity of species in the collection, learn appropriate handling techniques, normal vital parameters, phlebotomy sites and anesthetic risks unique to each animal, and gain experience with CT, endoscopy, surgery, laparoscopy, anesthesia and radiology.
Requirements
- Graduate of an AVMA accredited program or state approved veterinary technician program.
- Current licensure as a Registered Veterinary Technician or Certified Veterinary Technician.
- Familiar with the use of anesthetic machines used at a zoo facility, to include but not limited to: ventilators of various sizes, rebreathing and non-rebreathing anesthetic circuits, fish and amphibian anesthetics devices.
- Knowledge of anesthetic agents and associated drug combinations commonly used in the zoo setting, such as halogenated anesthetic gases, injectable anesthetics, ultra-potent narcotics, sedatives and neuroleptics.
- Able to respond competently and swiftly to emergency situations.
- Knowledge of anesthetic complications and how to respond to emergencies of the anesthetized patient.
- Ability to follow aseptic technique while in the operating room and handling surgical equipment.
- Possess a working knowledge of medication used in a zoological pharmacy.
- Understand the dangers and be situationally aware when ultra-potent narcotics are in use.
- Ability to plan, organize and implement preventative heath projects as directed for overall health of collection animals.
- Able to operate moderately complex computer software programs.
- Able to work with teams and communicate effectively with others.
- Interested candidates must include a Cover Letter to be considered.
Nice To Haves
- At least 2 years of experience working as an RVT in a veterinary setting is desired.
- Human CPR and first aid is desirable.
Responsibilities
- Support San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's mission integrating wildlife health and care, science, and education to develop sustainable conservation solutions.
- Perform the duties of a veterinary technician under the direction and supervision of the staff veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
- Assist with daily treatments of hospitalized animals.
- Provide preventative medical care.
- Assist the veterinary staff with clinical and surgical procedures.
- Perform diagnostic radiographs on all animal species in our collection using various radiographic modalities such as mammography, digital radiology (in house and in the field), Computed Tomography (with and without intravenous contrast).
- Provide technical support and nursing care for the collection.
- Advocate for the animals entrusted to our care.
- Recognize, provide care for, treat, evaluate and medicate patients.
- Assist hospital team in setting up for various scheduled and emergency procedures.
- Maintain all anesthetic machines to ensure proper function.
- Monitor animal patients before, during and upon recovery from anesthetic procedures.
- Clean, sterilize and care for all specialized instruments associated with the procedures.
- Work with a large diversity of species in our collection.
- Learn appropriate handling techniques, normal vital parameters, phlebotomy sites and anesthetic risks unique to each animal.
- Gain experience with CT, endoscopy, surgery, laparoscopy, anesthesia and radiology.
- Plan, organize and implement preventative heath projects as directed for overall health of collection animals.
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
Associate degree
