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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Zoo Veterinary Assistant

💰 $35,000 - $50,000

VeterinaryWildlifeAnimal CareZoo Operations

🎯 Role Definition

The Zoo Veterinary Assistant supports the animal health team by delivering hands-on clinical care, assisting in diagnostics and surgery, maintaining medical records and supplies, and implementing preventive medicine and biosecurity protocols across a diverse collection of species. This position is critical to animal welfare, conservation outcomes, and operational compliance in zoological institutions — combining animal handling, clinical skills, and cross-departmental coordination.

Keywords: zoo veterinary assistant, veterinary technician support, wildlife medicine, animal husbandry, clinical pathology, anesthesia monitoring, necropsy assistance, biosecurity, animal welfare.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Veterinary Assistant (companion animal or shelter environment)
  • Animal Care Technician / Keeper Trainee
  • Veterinary Technician student or recent graduate

Advancement To:

  • Senior Veterinary Technician / Lead Veterinary Assistant
  • Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT/LVT/CVT) with specialized zoo medicine credentials
  • Zoo Veterinarian (with DVM + zoological experience)

Lateral Moves:

  • Wildlife Rehabilitator or Field Technician
  • Animal Health & Welfare Coordinator
  • Exotics/Small Mammals or Reptile Specialist within the animal care team

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform daily physical health checks on a wide range of taxonomic groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish), documenting clinical signs, body condition, behavior changes, wound status, and producing clear, timely entries in the electronic medical record to support diagnostic and treatment decisions.
  • Assist veterinarians and senior technicians with physical examinations, diagnostic workups, anesthesia induction/recovery, and surgical procedures by preparing sterile instruments, positioning patients, monitoring anesthesia vitals, and recording intraoperative observations and medications.
  • Safely and humanely restrain and handle animals for treatments, transport, and examinations using species-appropriate techniques; design and modify restraint plans in collaboration with behavior staff to minimize stress and risk.
  • Collect diagnostic samples including blood draws, fecal samples, swabs, urine, tissue biopsies, and cytology specimens; process samples (centrifuge, prepare slides, label, preserve), maintain chain-of-custody, and coordinate timely shipment/analysis with external laboratories.
  • Administer medications and treatments per veterinarian orders (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous), calculate and document dosages, monitor response, and update treatment logs to ensure medication accuracy and patient safety.
  • Operate and maintain anesthesia and monitoring equipment (anesthesia machines, ventilators, pulse oximeters, capnographs, blood pressure monitors), assist in setting appropriate parameters, and perform continuous patient monitoring during sedation or general anesthesia.
  • Prepare, sterilize, and restock surgical and treatment suites: pack and autoclave instrument sets, maintain sterile technique, and enforce infection control standards before, during, and after procedures.
  • Maintain and update comprehensive medical records in institutional systems (e.g., ZIMS, AvImark, or other EHR platforms), ensuring documentation meets regulatory requirements (USDA, AZA) and facilitates continuity of care.
  • Participate in preventive medicine programs including vaccination schedules, parasite control protocols, routine screening tests, and quarantine procedures for new or incoming animals to reduce disease risk across collections.
  • Assist with necropsy examinations: prepare the necropsy suite, assist veterinarians in systematic dissection, collect and properly preserve tissue samples for histopathology or toxicology, document gross findings, and maintain necropsy records.
  • Maintain inventory of pharmaceuticals, consumables, and diagnostic supplies; manage controlled substance logs in accordance with federal and state regulations and assist with ordering and budget tracking to prevent stockouts.
  • Implement and enforce biosecurity and zoonotic disease control protocols: proper PPE usage, isolation procedures, decontamination, and staff education to protect animal and human health.
  • Support behavioral conditioning and positive reinforcement programs to enable voluntary participation in medical procedures (blood draws, oral medication, toe nail trims), reducing the need for chemical restraint and improving welfare and safety.
  • Perform basic laboratory testing and interpretation (hematology slides, blood chemistry tubes, cytology smears) and escalate abnormal results to the veterinary team for further diagnostic planning.
  • Coordinate and assist with animal transport logistics including pre-transport health checks, sedation protocols when necessary, crate preparation, and compliance with state, federal, and international transport permits (USDA, CITES where applicable).
  • Provide emergency triage and first response during medical emergencies: stabilize patients, perform first-aid measures, communicate promptly with veterinarians, and facilitate transport to referral clinics as needed.
  • Support radiography and ultrasound imaging by positioning patients, operating equipment under supervision, and ensuring digital image labeling and filing for diagnostic review.
  • Maintain and calibrate diagnostic and monitoring equipment, identify when service or repairs are necessary, and liaise with biomedical vendors to maintain uptime and accuracy of clinical tools.
  • Participate in routine welfare audits, health surveillance programs, and internal morbidity/mortality reviews; contribute observations and data that inform husbandry and medical changes.
  • Assist veterinarians with research and conservation initiatives: collect and log samples per study protocols, maintain cold-chain sample storage, and participate in data collection for monitoring programs and peer-reviewed work.
  • Train and mentor volunteers, keepers, and junior staff on basic medical support tasks, sample collection, documentation standards, and safety practices; help build veterinary capacity across the institution.
  • Ensure all clinical activities comply with institutional SOPs, IACUC protocols, and regulatory reporting (e.g., reportable diseases), and assist in preparing documentation for external inspections and accreditation visits.

Secondary Functions

  • Support cross-departmental planning by coordinating procedure schedules with curatorial, husbandry, and guest experience teams to minimize animal stress and operational disruption.
  • Contribute to the development and revision of medical SOPs, anesthesia protocols, and emergency action plans to reflect best practices and recent clinical findings.
  • Participate in staff training programs on zoonotic disease prevention, bloodborne pathogens, safe handling, and PPE use; track and maintain training records and certifications.
  • Assist with basic budget tracking for the veterinary unit: log expenditures, recommend cost-effective supplies, and collaborate on procurement planning for consumables and pharmaceuticals.
  • Provide on-call support for after-hours emergencies as assigned; respond to urgent animal health events, triage remotely when necessary, and provide thorough handoffs to on-site staff.
  • Help prepare materials for public-facing educational events or veterinary demonstrations, ensuring messaging is accurate, welfare-oriented, and aligns with institutional goals.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Advanced animal handling and restraint techniques across taxa (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians) with emphasis on low-stress methods and safety.
  • Proficient venipuncture and phlebotomy for a variety of species; ability to collect, label, and process blood and other diagnostic samples correctly.
  • Practical knowledge of anesthesia induction, monitoring, and recovery protocols; familiarity with anesthetic agents and monitoring equipment (capnography, pulse oximetry, ECG).
  • Surgical assistance skills: sterile technique, instrument recognition, intraoperative monitoring, and postoperative patient care.
  • Diagnostic laboratory skills: slide preparation (cytology), basic microscopy, centrifugation, sample preservation (fixatives, refrigeration/freezing) and submission to external labs.
  • Experience with electronic medical records (EHR) and zoo-specific software (e.g., ZIMS, eVetPractice, AvImark) — accurate data entry and reporting.
  • Controlled substance handling and recordkeeping, including secure storage, inventory audits, and compliance with DEA/state regulations.
  • Necropsy assistance and tissue handling: gross examination, proper fixation of samples, and coordination with pathology services.
  • Basic radiography and ultrasound assistance: patient positioning, safety protocols, and image management.
  • Biosecurity and infection control practices, PPE protocols, and zoonotic disease mitigation strategies.
  • Chemical immobilization and remote delivery awareness (training/certification preferred) for field or exhibit-related sedation events.
  • Equipment maintenance and troubleshooting for clinical devices, autoclaves, and anesthesia machines.

Soft Skills

  • Excellent observational skills and attention to detail; ability to detect subtle behavioral or clinical changes and communicate them clearly.
  • Strong written and verbal communication: concise medical record entries, clear handoffs, and effective interdepartmental coordination.
  • Team-oriented mindset with the ability to collaborate across veterinary, husbandry, curatorial, and education teams.
  • High emotional intelligence and empathy for animals and colleagues; must remain calm under pressure during clinical emergencies.
  • Problem solving and critical thinking: prioritize tasks in fast-paced clinical environments and recommend practical solutions.
  • Time management and organizational skills for managing competing clinical priorities and maintaining accurate records.
  • Teaching and mentoring ability to train volunteers and junior staff in clinical tasks and safety protocols.
  • Flexibility and adaptability to changing schedules, weekend/on-call shifts, and occasional off-site transports or fieldwork.
  • Professionalism and discretion in handling confidential medical and regulatory information.
  • Commitment to continuous learning and adoption of evidence-based practices in zoological medicine.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent plus relevant veterinary assistant certificate OR equivalent on-the-job clinical experience in a veterinary clinic, shelter, or zoo setting.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree in Veterinary Technology, Animal Science, Zoology, or related field.
  • Registered/Certified Veterinary Technician credential (RVT/LVT/CVT) preferred for advanced clinical responsibilities.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Veterinary Technology
  • Animal Science
  • Zoology / Wildlife Biology
  • Biology / Pre-Veterinary Studies

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1–5 years of hands-on experience in a clinical veterinary environment, animal shelter, or zoological facility; at least 1–2 years preferred with exotic or non-domestic species.

Preferred:

  • 2+ years of direct experience in zoo or wildlife medicine, demonstrated competency in anesthesia monitoring, diagnostic sampling, and surgical assistance.
  • Experience with institutional compliance programs (USDA, AZA standards), necropsy assistance, and EHR systems.
  • Certifications such as Rabies Pre-Exposure Vaccination, OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens, Basic Animal Life Support (BLS) for veterinary patients, and documented training in chemical immobilization or remote delivery preferred.

This description is written to attract qualified applicants and to be parsed effectively by applicant-tracking systems and language models: clear headings, action-oriented responsibilities, industry keywords, and defined education/experience expectations for a Zoo Veterinary Assistant.

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