Registered Veterinary Technologist - Wildlife

If you are up for the challenge and would like to be considered for this position, we would like to hear from you. The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) is looking to fill the following career opportunity:

POSITION:                 Registered Veterinary Technologist - Wildlife - RVT

STATUS:                    Permanent; Full-Time

SHIFT:                        37.5 Hours weekly

LOCATION:                BC SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (Wild ARC) in Victoria, BC

CLASSIFICATION:    Cupe Local 50

WAGE:                        $27.85 per hour                                                         

CLOSING DATE:       Open Until Filled

We welcome diversity, value differences, and foster inclusion in our employment practices.  Find out more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion by reading our Foundational Principles on our website.  We invite applications from all qualified individuals who are philosophically aligned with our mission and principles. 

About the position: 
Reporting to the Manager, Wild ARC, the Registered Veterinary Technologist – Wildlife (RVT-W) is responsible for direct care, health assessments, rehabilitation, and triage/stabilization of wild animals at Wild ARC in conjunction with required internal and external standards as outlined. Duties will also include support functions such as maintenance of instruments and equipment, medical record-keeping, administration, inventory, training, professional development, and other duties as required to ensure efficient operations and high quality of care.

May also be required to assist with rescue and daily operations of Wild ARC as required.

 Duties and Responsibilities:

 Direct animal care duties include:

• Support routine patient care, health assessments, rehabilitation, and triage and stabilization of new patients in accordance with BC SPCA Wild ARC policies and protocols and in keeping with International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC)/National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) minimum standards for wildlife rehabilitation and CVBC/Health Canada requirements
• Dispense and record patient medications
• Assist with release assessments and coordinating transportation for release
• Assist with the coordination of rescuing and reuniting wildlife as required
• Perform humane euthanasia
• Perform medical treatments such as physical therapy, wound management, radiography, and fluid therapy as required
• Perform intravenous and intraosseous catheter placement
• Provide pre, peri, and post-anesthesia care and monitoring
• Other duties as assigned

Laboratory duties include:

• • Perform diagnostic testing, such as cell counts, blood lead levels, biochemistry panels, fecal analysis, urinalysis, cytology, x-ray
  • Prepare patient samples for external testing
  • Perform basic necropsies
  • Update patient records and notifies team of lab results
  • Prepares carcasses for salvage and laboratory submission
  • Other duties as assigned

Centre maintenance and administrative duties include:

• • Perform monthly controlled drug inventory and ensure logs are completed and accurate
  • Ensure patient records and database are complete and up to date
  • Perform regular and annual inventories of medical supplies
  • Assist in ordering medical supplies and equipment for the Centre
  • Assist in processing medical supplies donations
  • Facilitate disposal of deceased patients, sharps, liquid waste, and unusable medical supplies
  • Assist in ensuring adherence to facility hygiene, biosecurity, and health and safety protocols
  • Perform routine checks of medical equipment and facilitate scheduled maintenance
  • Assist with recruitment and onboarding of practicum participants, volunteers, and staff as required
  • Complete ongoing continuing education requirements to maintain active RVT license
  • Assist Senior Wildlife Rehabilitator (SWR) with development and conduct of workshops and other training as required
  • Stay abreast of latest research and veterinary requirements relevant to Wild ARC policies and protocols and work with SWR for necessary revisions
  • Other related duties as assigned

Communication duties include:

• • Maintain regular communication with the veterinarian who holds the license of record for Wild ARC and ensure compliance with their direction in accordance with CVBC bylaws and other provincial and federal professional regulations
  • Perform duties as required including answering phone calls, emails, interacting with the public, veterinarians, government, etc. in order to maintain Centre operations
  • Communicate with regional, national, and international wildlife rehabilitation associations
  • Communicate relevant operational information to the team
  • Assist with callbacks/emails as needed for patient follow-ups as required
  • Other duties as assigned

Knowledge & Qualifications / Skills Required:

• Successful completion of a veterinary technologist program accredited by the Canadian Veterinary Medicine Association (CVMA) and registration with the BC Veterinary Technologists Association (BCVTA); or recognition by BC governing bodies of an equivalency to an RVT designation.
• Minimum 1 year practical experience as an RVT with basic wildlife skills and knowledge; experience working as an RVT directly with wildlife is preferred.

• Animal care experience with small to medium size wild mammals and birds including raptors, songbirds, waterfowl, seabirds, deer, raccoons, squirrels, seals
• Knowledge of natural history, identification, and behaviour of BC wildlife species; familiar with provincial and federal government wildlife regulations and rehabilitation permit requirements 

• Basic Skills certification from a provincial or international wildlife rehabilitation body; advanced skills certifications are preferable 

How to apply:  

If you are looking to grow your career with a challenging and meaningful opportunity, and if you are legally entitled to work in Canada, please apply to this BC SPACA position and help us make a difference. Click on apply now or use the link: https://spca.bc.ca/about-us/careers/     

We thank you for your interest in joining the BC SPCA; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls please.
    

The BC SPCA is a Registered Charity BN 11881 9036 RR0001