Position Title: Veterinary Technician
Department: Veterinary
Supervisor: Hospital Manager
Nashville Zoo Mission:
Nashville Zoo is dedicated to inspiring a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation, and leadership. With a diverse collection of animals and a commitment to wildlife preservation, we provide engaging experiences for visitors of all ages.
Why Work with Us:
At Nashville Zoo, we believe in taking care of our team just as well as we care for our animals. Full-time employees enjoy a robust benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and future:
- Comprehensive healthcare coverage – including medical, dental, and vision plans to keep you and your family healthy.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – confidential support services for mental, emotional, and financial well-being.
- 401(k) retirement plan with company matching – helping you build a secure future while you make a meaningful impact today.
- Generous paid time off and sick leave – because rest and recovery are vital.
- Exclusive zoo perks – enjoy discounts on park experiences, retail, and food services, plus complimentary membership benefits.
- A collaborative and inclusive culture – be part of a diverse team where your voice matters, your growth is nurtured, and collaboration thrives across all departments.
- AZA-accredited facility – Nashville Zoo is committed to top-tier animal care, ethics and global conservation efforts.
Job Description:
The Nashville Zoo is seeking an experienced Veterinary Technician to join our team at our new 24,000 square foot state of the art Veterinary Hospital. The Veterinary Technician, as part of the Veterinary Team consisting of two Veterinarians, a Hospital Manager, two technicians, and two hospital keepers provides quality care to over 400 species. The Nashville Zoo is a recognized leader and supporter of animal conservation and is an AZA accredited institution. Our beautiful park offers a unique variety of animal exhibits with experienced staff and volunteers committed to providing superior animal care and guest experiences. This position is Full Time and offers a competitive total compensation package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, long term and short term disability; 401(k) plan with match; Company funded Heath Reimbursement Accounts and Health Savings Accounts, paid holidays, and paid time off.
This position provides veterinary technical support to the veterinary and animal management staffs both within the hospital and in the field. Responsibilities include assisting staff veterinarians with all aspects of a comprehensive animal health program for a wide variety of species. This includes, but is not limited to the following: animal restraint, sample collection, clinical procedures, product purchasing, anesthesia, radiology, surgical and pathology services support. Opportunities exist for assisting with conservation research. The individual will also be expected to complete laboratory procedures and maintain area compliance with USDA and AZA regulations and standards, including record keeping, husbandry care, training, enrichment, quarantine procedures, etc. Veterinary staff are required to work weekends and holidays as the animal care schedule necessitates. This position reports to the Hospital Manager. Applicants for this position are required to submit to a criminal background check and pass a drug test.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Maintain professional conduct at all times and consistently model the organization’s values in all interactions with colleagues, guests, and stakeholders.
- Maintain regular and reliable attendance
- Perform monitoring on anesthetized animals using pulse oximetry, EKG, blood pressure, and blood gas machines, and to recognize normal and abnormal values
- Assist veterinary staff in recognizing and correcting animal medical emergencies
- Provide intensive care for critical animals under the direction of the veterinary staff
- Assist with the care of hospitalized and quarantined patients
- Perform basic animal handling techniques and assist veterinarians in administering treatments
- Understand setup, use and cleaning procedures for medical equipment and instruments
- Provide laboratory support including but not limited to hematology, parasitology, and cytology
- Assist veterinarians in basic necropsy procedures and sample collection
- Maintain comprehensive computer based medical records and daily animal logs (including Zims)
- Assist with teaching and training of interns at various veterinary levels
Skills:
- Ability to self-direct work tasks while ensuring safety and productivity.
Education/ Experience:
- Degree as a graduate Veterinary Technician or Equivalent
- Tennessee State License or ability to receive licensing in nine months from date of hire
- Minimum of two years experience as a veterinary technician working with exotics with an emphasis on zoo medicine
- Strong laboratory skills
- Strong organizational skills
- Above average written and verbal communication skills
Physical Requirements:
- The role requires frequently standing and walking for most of an 8–10‑hour shift and regularly bend, kneel, reach, and perform repetitive motions while cleaning habitats, preparing diets, and providing enrichment.
- The role requires frequently lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling up to 50 lbs and occasionally up to 75 lbs with assistance, as well as navigating ladders, stairs, uneven terrain, and wet or slippery surfaces.
- Strong hand dexterity, clear verbal communication, and adequate vision and hearing are essential to safely observe animals, operate tools and gates, and use radios.
- Work occurs indoors and outdoors year‑round in all weather, with routine exposure to animal dander, hay, dust, insects, loud noises, strong odors, and cleaning agents.
- Employees may encounter biological hazards, zoonotic diseases, and potentially dangerous animals and must follow established protocols for shifting, feeding, and emergency response.
- The role may require wearing PPE such as gloves, protective footwear, eye and hearing protection, and respirators as assigned.
- Schedules often include early mornings, weekends, holidays, and occasional overtime based on animal needs.
- Depending on assignments, a valid driver’s license and ability to operate facility vehicles may be required.
- Vaccinations, TB testing, or respirator fit testing may be necessary per policy.
- The role must learn new tasks, remember processes, maintain focus, complete task independently, and make timely decisions in the context of a workflow.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Pre-employment requirements:
Nashville Zoo is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and maintains a drug-free work environment. All employment is at-will.
- All candidates are required to successfully complete a criminal background check and drug screening prior to hire.
- Pre-employment and annual tuberculosis (TB) screenings are a condition of continued employment.
