WILDLIFE REHABILITATION VETERINARY TECHNICIAN (Certified RVT)

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

Requirements

Required Abilities and Skills