Licensed Veterinary Technician

Program/Unit description: 

Established in 1974 as part of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, The Raptor Center (TRC) is first and foremost a hospital for ill and injured raptors, caring for over 1,000 birds annually. As an internationally renowned veterinary teaching hospital, TRC trains students and professionals from around the world to become future leaders in raptor medicine and conservation and conducts multi-disciplinary ecosystem health research. In addition, TRC has a substantial education and outreach program to educate and inspire the public. Using raptor ambassador birds, TRC’s education team uses innovative methods to reach over 150,000 people annually through a variety of programming at on and offsite venues and through virtual technology https://www.raptor.umn.edu/. All of this work is done with the assistance of a cohort of more than 300 volunteers. While part of the University of Minnesota, The Raptor Center functions as a nonprofit organization relying on philanthropic donations for much of the budget.

Position description: 

This position provides veterinary technician services at The Raptor Center (TRC)’s veterinary hospital. The primary responsibilities include supporting diagnostic procedures and providing anesthesia assistance during medical and surgical procedures, along with performing a variety of veterinary medical support services and patient care duties. Incumbents are expected to develop proficiency in TRC clinic protocols and required tasks and, following training, to independently and completely carry out assigned responsibilities without close supervision. This position requires flexible scheduling, including working weekends, holidays, and outside normal business hours.

Essential functions:

To support the overall daily functions of TRC’s clinic by providing a continuum of veterinary and animal care support, including when a senior certified veterinary technician (CVT) is not on duty. This role requires exceptional communication and organizational skills to successfully work with multiple staff members, students, and volunteers.

Responsibilities vary seasonally and will include: 

Veterinary technician duties - 45% 

• Laboratory tests and procedures: perform manual avian complete blood cell counts, in-house blood lead testing, in-house fecal evaluations, in-house culture and sensitivity testing; coordinate sample submission to external labs; and enter diagnostic results into a digital medical record system. 
• Anesthesia and Surgery: set-up for surgical and anesthetic procedures, pre-medicate and induce general anesthesia in raptor patients, monitor general anesthesia, address anesthetic-related complications, place intravenous and intraosseous catheters, assist with sterile surgical procedures, recover patients from general anesthesia, enter anesthetic records into a digital medical record system, and assist with cleaning, restocking, and sterile instrument preparation.

Clinic support tasks and general patient care - 40% 

• Assist with care of wild raptor patients undergoing medical treatment, which may include but is not limited to: basic patient restraint, bloodwork, radiographs, medication administration and treatments, feeding, cleaning, and completing all related medical records and paperwork. 
• Assist with clinic maintenance tasks, such as but not limited to: cleaning instruments, wrapping packs, autoclaving, restocking the treatment room space, compounding medications, inventory, and receiving.

Teaching, training, and public communication - 10% 

• Assist with hands-on training of visiting students and professionals 
• Strong communication skills and ability to represent the organization professionally with the general public, visiting students and professionals, and TRC volunteers. 
• Interface with the public, answering questions about injured birds, and assist in arranging transport for injured patients as needed.

Other duties as assigned (5%)

Minimum Qualifications: 

• BA/BS degree or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least four years 
• Graduate of an Animal Health Technician Program or equivalent training, or actively pursuing training for this career path 
• Ability to work effectively both in a team environment and independently 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to effectively communicate with diverse groups, including volunteers and the general public 
• Strong observational skills 
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and effectively with others 
• Physical abilities: must be able to lift and move awkward objects up to 50 pounds regularly, walk ½ mile, and stand for prolonged periods of time 
• Basic competency in the Microsoft suite: Word, Excel, Gmail, Google Office Suite

Desirable Qualifications: 

• Certified or eligible for certification as a licensed veterinary technician in Minnesota. 
• Experience with avian hematology and manual complete blood cell counts 
• Basic raptor knowledge 
• Experience working with raptors or other wildlife in a rehabilitation setting 
• Experience working with volunteers 
• Problem-solving skills and strong interpersonal skills 
• Knowledge of veterinary medicine terminology 
• Knowledge of proper restraint and handling of large and small animals 
• Flexibility to meet patient care needs. 
• Flexibility in schedule that includes an ability to work during all seasons, weekends, evenings, and holidays, and the ability to fill some shifts on short notice.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities/Selection Criteria 

• Ability to project a positive attitude towards co-workers, supervisor, volunteers, and the public 
• Ability to provide excellent customer service – in person, online and on the telephone 
• Ability to communicate respectfully and clearly in verbal and written communication 
• Ability to use time efficiently and take initiative to respond to departmental needs 
• Ability to work as a team member in a highly dynamic, busy environment 
• Ability to adapt to a changing work environment and work effectively in an emergency room-type environment

Hourly Pay Range $24-26 per hour 

Expected Hours 

This is a full-time position averaging 40 hours per week. Shifts vary throughout the year based on daylight hours. Typical shifts are 8 hours in length, with start and end times scheduled within the window of 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM. 

Regular days off will generally fall midweek (most commonly Tuesday/Wednesday or Wednesday/Thursday). Staff schedules may be adjusted, with advance notice, to provide coverage during vacations. 

Due to the high volume of patient care during the summer months, vacation time in July and August is limited for this position. 

Work Environment 

This work is performed on site at The Raptor Center. This work environment may include exposure to noise, bright/low lighting, temperature variations from below freezing and working in outdoor winter temperatures to high heat, humid and weather events outdoors, animal bodily fluids and waste, and allergens such as mold, dust, and animal feathers and dander. 

Physical Requirements 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis in conjunction with Disability Services. 

• Ability to stand for prolonged periods of time 
• Ability to walk ½ mile, climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl 
• Ability to use hands to perform fine motor skills 
• Ability to talk, hear, smell to work safely in an animal care environment 
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception 
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds 
• Ability to lift awkward, heavy objects from the ground 
• Ability and willingness to wear a fitted N95 respirator for significant periods of time 
• Ability and willingness to wear personal protective equipment and work in a biosecure quarantine space for significant periods of time 
• Ability to physically capture and safely restrain wild raptors, including large eagles