Veterinary Medical Technician

DEPARTMENT: Animal Health
REPORTS TO: Clinical Hospital Manager
STATUS: Full-time, Non-Exempt
PAY RATE: $28.00 – $31.00/hr

OVERVIEW: We are seeking a certified veterinary technician, which will be a new position joining our team of four technicians and a CVT Clinical Hospital Manager. The veterinary technician position is a vital member of the Animal Health team, and the ideal candidate has diverse species experience that includes fish, birds, reptiles, pinnipeds, terrestrial mammals, and marine mammals. This position helps add to the efficiency of the Animal Health department by providing high-quality medical care, and continually improving the care and management of the animal residents at Shedd Aquarium. Technicians at Shedd Aquarium are well-utilized and valued for their diverse skills. As part of a mission-driven conservation organization, the veterinary technician may also participate in educational programming, media, and conservation projects. Shedd Aquarium is a teaching hospital, and thus, the veterinary technician regularly plays a teaching role for veterinary technician students, veterinary students, and veterinary residents.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Demonstrate commitment to Shedd’s vision, mission, and values
• Routinely assist with all aspects of preventative and urgent exams, anesthetic monitoring, radiology, ultrasonography, endoscopy, surgery, and dental work
• Perform a full range of veterinary technician skills including, but not limited to, phlebotomy, gavage feeding, fluid therapy, restraint, and other supportive care treatments
• Operate veterinary equipment such as portable digital radiology system, sterilization, gas anesthesia equipment, ventilators, endoscopy tower, therapeutic laser
• Maintain medical/surgical packs, perform routine equipment maintenance tasks, and assist in the upkeep of the hospital
• Perform pharmacy-related skills including medical calculations involving, but not limited to, dilutions and dosage; dispense and administer medications as prescribed by a veterinarian; maintain controlled drug logs
• Complete and maintain respirator training to measure laboratory chemicals
• Maintain medical records in the Tracks database in a correct, timely, and orderly fashion
• Assist with and perform necropsies, which include collecting and preparing tissues for histopathologic evaluation
• Obtain and process diagnostic samples from animal patients and prepare them for diagnostic laboratory testing such as skin scrapes/gill clips, fecal analysis, hematology, cytology, parasitology, urinalysis
• Coordinate with the rest of the veterinary team in carrying out daily/weekly medical care, communicating, and scheduling with animal care staff as needed.
• Serve as aquarium-wide support via educational, media, and conservation programs as requested
• Maintain courteous and professional demeanor in all interactions with volunteers, staff, collaborators, guests visiting the Aquarium, and the general public
• Perform duties at all Shedd Aquarium locations, including but not limited to downtown Shedd Aquarium and the Center for Animal Care and Sustainability
• Support aquarium-wide rescue and rehab program and field research as requested
• Help to maintain and improve hospital procedures and policies as requested
• Other duties as assigned

TIME COMMITMENT:
Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes evenings, weekends, and holidays. This position will require a rotating on-call schedule.

QUALIFICATIONS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. 

Education:

• Associate Degree in Applied Science in Veterinary Technology and graduation from an accredited AVMA Veterinary Technology Program.

Experience:

• 3 or more years of experience working as a certified veterinary technician in zoo/exotic/aquatic
• Experience working around water
• Ability to maintain the highest levels of professionalism and a positive attitude, as a representative of the Shedd Aquarium
• Demonstrated team skills required
• Ability to understand basic mathematical relationships and formulas.
• Ability to understand and employ intermediate-level accounting mathematics.
• Experience with a computerized accounting system

CERTIFICATIONS:

• Certified, Licensed, or Registered Veterinary Technician required. Licensure in the state of Illinois within the first year of hire.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 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. 

• Lift up to 15 pounds
• Sit
• Stand
• Stoop
• Walk

​​​​​​WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Low noise
• Moderate Noise

BENEFITS WORKING AT SHEDD: We offer competitive compensation packages and opportunities for professional growth within our organization.

• Medical Insurance, including FSA and HSA plan options
• Vision and Dental Insurance
• Accrued Paid Time Off
• Up to 12 Paid Holidays
• Life Insurance
• Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• 401(k)
• Discounted Parking and Public Transit Subsidies
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Wellness program, including Preventive Care Incentive
• Employee Discounts
• Employee Tickets

Reasonable Accommodations:
Shedd Aquarium is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the employment process, please email us at jobs@sheddaquarium.org.

We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.