Job Description
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 over time
- Identifying wildlife species
- Understanding 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
Requirements Required Abilities and Skills
- Must be a certified registered veterinary technician
- 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
- Always maintain positive attitude and public image
- 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.
Job Tags
Seasonal work, Local area, Weekend work, Afternoon shift,