Registered Veterinary Technologist

Role Responsibilities

Are you interested in providing technical support to pathologists, toxicologists and surveillance veterinarians? Are you interested in assisting in public health? Do you have good communication skills & like to collaborate & solve problems? 

If so, this opportunity with the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation is the position for you!

The Veterinary Technologist is a member of an animal health team in four locations across Alberta that participate in animal health surveillance activities for new and emerging diseases, responding to disease outbreaks, assisting in public health and assisting Alberta's livestock and poultry industries. Collaborating with livestock producers, veterinarians & scientists across the province, the Veterinary Technologist plays a key role in success for Alberta's livestock industries.

Veterinary Technologist responsibilities:

• Postmortem room support including receiving, preparation and collection of samples for chronic wasting disease, rabies and salmonella among others.  This position must properly identify samples, ship and dispose of extraneous tissues. Samples may come from domestic and wild animals (i.e. elk, skunks, poultry, environmental).
• Field visits to assist in investigations, collect samples or deliver quarantines. 
• Maintaining supplies, housekeeping and cleaning and disinfection of postmortem room and facility to maintain CL2 Agric biosecurity standards and adhering to biosecurity standards at site visits.
• Maintaining quality control of instruments and equipment.
• Administrative responsibilities related to managing work at the site, calls related to surveillance programs and receiving submissions.
• Maintaining electronic and physical records and standard operating procedures.

If this sounds like you, apply today, and see how your expertise can help better the lives of Albertans!

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

The following are the competencies of a Veterinary Technologist: 

• Creative Problem Solving: Develops solutions to complex problems conscious of the development, conservation, and use of resources.
• Drive for Results: Strives to exceed objectives and maximize resources to achieve results aligned with the goals of the department, considerate to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop Networks: Maintains close relations with all stakeholders, actively incorporates the needs of the broader group, and ensures overall client satisfaction.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Takes a collaborative approach with your work to foster open communication and leverage team skills.
• Agility: identifies alternative approaches in uncertain, complex situations, supporting others in determining and assessing strategy.
• Systems Thinking: Considers the changing environment, recognizing the work impacting a vast network of stakeholders. 
• Develop Self and Others: Aims to learn from experiences, shift, and keep current with our skills and knowledge to remain competitive.

Qualifications

Required: 

• Two (2) years technical diploma in Animal Health Technology/Veterinary Technology.
• Registered with or be eligible to be registered with the Alberta Veterinary Technologist Association (ABVTA).
• Valid Class 5 Driver’s License.
• Ability to stand for protracted periods. 
• Ability to lift tissues up to 35 kg.

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of:

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education 

Assets: Preference will be given to the candidates with;

• Experience as a Veterinary Technologist.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook).
• Experience with databases.
• Competency in word processing, spreadsheets and email management.
• Experience with WHMIS and Dangerous Goods Transportation regulations.
• Experience with using and maintaining laboratory, post-mortem and office equipment.
• Knowledge and concepts of biosecurity and biocontainment.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 
Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

Position Information: 

• Location: Lethbridge.
• Hours of Work: 21.75 hours per week (permanent part time).
• The office is open Monday to Friday (08:15 am-16:30 pm). The successful candidate will work the equivalent of 3 days per week. Flexibility in the days worked from week to week is an asset.
• Some travel is required during regular business hours for on-farm disease investigations.  
• A valid Class 5 Driver’s License with a clean abstract is required.
• Ability to lift and move animal tissues up to 35 kg.
• Occasional overtime is required, staying longer on some days or some weekends. *Overtime is compensated with time in lieu.

Additional Applicant Information:

• A cover letter is required.
• Final candidates may be required to undergo a practical test demonstrating skills and abilities after interviews.

Instructions for your Resume:

• For Employment Experience:
• Please indicate duration of employment (month, year)
• Please specify employment status (i.e. casual, part-time or full-time)
• Ex: Youth Worker, Jan 2006 - June 2009, Part-time (three, 8 hour shifts per week)

For any Post-Secondary Education:

• Please specify your major and length of the program
• Please specify the year of graduation
• Ex: Bachelor of Social Work, 4-year Degree (Graduated 2017)

Final candidates may be required to undergo a security screening.

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level. 

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.