The Veterinary Care Assistant provides husbandry, diets, and enrichment for animals under veterinary care, and assists with hospital procedures and maintenance.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Supports the National Aviary’s mission to inspire a respect for nature through an appreciation of birds and its goals of providing high quality visitor experiences, educational programs, and conservation messaging.
- Adheres to all National Aviary protocols and procedures.
- Maintains a strong understanding of the principles that underlie animal welfare in the zoological field and supports the National Aviary’s Animal Welfare Program.
- Maintains understanding of the welfare indicators for the species and individual animals under their care.
- Assists with preparing welfare assessments for animals under veterinary care.
- Responsible for performing daily husbandry to animals under veterinary care, including hospitalized patients and residents in the Special Care Program.
- Follows established protocols for maintaining clean and safe habitats, including perches, substrates, pools, heaters, humidifiers, and air purifiers.
- Provides diets for animals to maintain optimal nutrition, including assembling individualized diets and adding supplements following standard operating procedures.
- Provides approved enrichment to animals following National Aviary protocols.
- Capable of handling birds in a safe manner, including a variety of bird species.
- Continually learns and increases proficiency in patient assessments, including evaluating behavior, appetite, activity, and engagement. Assists with hospitalized patient recovery evaluations and reports improvements or concerns to supervisors.
- Actively participates in skill training sessions conducted by veterinarians and veterinary managers.
- Maintains animal habitat sanitation and cleanliness, included but not limited to cleaning habitats, washing dishes, and doing laundry.
- Maintains hospital rooms with a high level of sanitation and cleanliness, included but not limited to cleaning foot baths, floors, and sinks.
- Actively gives supervisors progress reports on animal care and hospital projects.
- Assists with stocking medical supplies in hospital areas, such as instruments, treatment supplies, and equipment.
- Assists veterinary team with administering treatments in food items, orally, topically, and with bandage changes.
- Assists veterinary team with setting up and completing medical procedures, such as examinations and diagnostic tests. Assists with primary, emergency, preventative, and geriatric health care practices.
- Assists veterinary team with the National Aviary Teaching Hospital by participating in pre-veterinary student educational programs in animal care practices.
- Participates in veterinary team meetings to discuss and plan animal care, veterinary department projects, and aviary activities.
- Maintains a high level of professional work behavior and conduct. Promotes team-work and positive communication.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
- Knowledgeable and experienced in animal husbandry and nutrition practices.
- Has a general knowledge of avian behavior and natural biology.
- Experienced in maintaining high level sanitation practices with animal care.
- Familiarity with veterinary health care including primary and preventative health care practices.
- Competency in handling animals for general care.
- Strong organizational skills and work habits.
- Adaptable to change within a hospital setting.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Competency in following protocols with accuracy.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
- Minimum requirement of 1 year of zoo, wildlife, or other animal care experience is preferred.
- Degree in biology, animal behavior, or a field associated with animal care is preferred.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
- Satisfactory background check
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee must possess the manual dexterity required to perform the job duties. They regularly operates surgical equipment and x-ray machines. The employee may be required to stand for long periods of time. The employee constantly positions self in habitats, including under, over, and around obstacles. The employee occasionally ascends and descends ladders. The employee regularly transports crates and supplies up to 50 pounds. The employee regularly uses utensils and tools including sharps, knives, scissors, and hoses. The employee occasionally operates hand and power equipment.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work environments will include chilled or humid environments, public areas where the noise level may be loud, outdoors where work may need to be done in inclement weather conditions, including extremes of temperature and precipitation, and climate-controlled office spaces. The employee is regularly exposed to various disinfecting agents and common allergens such as latex, nuts, and seafood. The employee is regularly exposed to biohazards such as radiation, oxygen tanks, carcinogens, toxins, chemicals, and infectious agents.
Schedule:
Flexible, 3 days / 24 hours per week
Job Type: Part-time
Work Location: In person
