WILDLIFE REHABILITATION VETERINARY TECHNICIAN

Description

Summary: Wildlife rehabilitators are responsible for the care of injured, sick, or orphaned animals. Responsibilities include providing our patient animals with food, shelter, and medical attention until they're healthy enough to be released back into their natural habitat. The Wildlife Rehabilitation Veterinary Technician is responsible for all phases/aspects of wildlife rehabilitation: emergencies, critical care, diet preparation, patient tracking, enforcing hospital and PRF protocols; coordinating admit and treat wildlife patients; maintain inventory and cleanliness; manage record-keeping; provide staff presence for patient care; ensure customer service; and assist in volunteer trainings and provides assistance to the hospital staff in regards to medical care.

Note: functions and responsibilities below represent possible duties necessary for staff in the Hospital. Generally, these functions will be distributed amongst staff by the managers to ensure adequate coverage of all functions across multiple-team members.

Major Functions and Responsibilities

Wildlife rehabilitators have a wide range of responsibilities which can include:

Animal Care

Follows patient care protocols for performing initial examinations, triaging, treating, euthanizing and continually monitoring patients (including use of diagnostic equipment, oral medications, gavage tubing)

observing animals' behavior, interactions with each other, and reactions to stimuli in their environment to determine their best care plan

Cleaning and maintenance of wildlife areas and enclosures

Cleaning and maintenance of clinic stations including kitchen, reception, etc.

Provide daily care of patients including preparation and distribution of appropriate diets and fresh water for patients

Regular health checks for patients (body condition, behavior, weight, etc.)

Provide appropriate housing for wildlife patients

Maintaining detailed records of treatments and observations of each animal's progress overtime

Identifying wildlife species

Understanding the life history of wildlife patients

Assist with InfoLine, sharing species appropriate guidance to the public regarding injured, orphaned, and sick wildlife

Educating the public about wildlife conservation and safety measures to prevent injury from animals

Assists seasonal staff in orphan program management and support

Assist homecare with supply needs

Release preparation and assessment

Contacting presenters for release

Accurately tracks patient admission, treatment and transfer data into permit-required systems

Follows hospital and PRF policies and procedures, in compliance with local, state and federal regulations

Sets a good example for interns and volunteers

Assists in the training and continuing education of new hospital volunteers and interns

Safety and Operations

Inventories of medical, cleaning and feeding supplies; alerts manager for purchasing

Maintains proper records regarding controlled drugs, acting in communication with the staff veterinarian

Ensures hospital and PRF cleanliness & safety; minimizes risk to staff, volunteers and animals

Confirms tools and equipment are in working order; alerts Hospital Director for needed repairs

Regularly recognizes and thanks volunteers to encourage continued involvement

Creates and maintains a positive working environment

Maintains constant focus on safe workplace practices

Prepare routine reports to Operational Director

Understands and ensures compliance with federal, state and local regulations

Actively participates in organizational and departmental fundraising efforts

Personally commits to OWC's Core Values and organizational policies and procedures

Contributes information and research findings to internal and external publications

Assists other team members carry out organizational tasks when necessary

Attends required team and organizational meetings, and represents OWC at public events

Possesses general knowledge of all OWC services and programs; markets to the public

Works evenings and weekends as required, willingness for occasional travel is necessary

Performs additional duties as assigned

Required Abilities and Skills

Excellent oral and written communications skills; including public speaking

Competency in basic word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software

Experience in conflict resolution and strong creative problem-solving skills

Understanding of and commitment to the role and mission of Ohio Wildlife Center

Physically fit; able to lift 50 pounds and no aversion to inclement weather

Obtain rabies vaccinations (upon employment) and maintain titers

Clean background check, valid Ohio motor vehicle operator's license and good driving record

Understanding of the laws of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ohio Division of Wildlife, and animal regulations of local municipalities

Maintain professional appearance (including wearing appropriate, well-kept uniform)

Adhere to policies and operating standards of Ohio Wildlife Center

Positively promote Ohio Wildlife Center's programs and services

Maintain positive attitude and public image at all times

Extensive knowledge of animal care to provide the best care for the animals. This includes knowing how to handle and feed different types of wildlife, how to provide them with medical care and how to keep them safe and comfortable in their rehabilitation space.

Strong communication skills with other professionals, such as veterinarians, to ensure the health of the animals they treat. They also communicate with the public to educate them about wildlife rehabilitation and to encourage them to report injured animals

Ability to solve problems by researching solutions and implementing them.

Attention to details and organizational skills, as they often have many responsibilities and tasks to complete.

Adaptability as may be exposed to weather conditions that may change throughout the day as well as work with a variety of animals, some of which may be more challenging to care for than others.

Necessary Knowledge and Experience

Registered Ohio veterinary technician; wildlife experience preferred.

Minimum of one year of medical treatment of animals

Minimum one months of animal care and husbandry experience

General knowledge of native Ohio wildlife biology

Additional experience in wildlife rehabilitation facility helpful

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

The following physical requirements must be met by a candidate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employees are regularly required to use steps; stand on feet for up to four hours at a time; balance, stoop and kneel; lift and/or move 25 pounds and sit at a desk while using a keyboard. Position also requires employees to see, read, talk or hear; use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is also frequently required to walk and reach with arms and hands. The employee is occasionally required to climb and lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and work outdoors in inclement weather. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.