Admissions and Triage Specialist

Job Title: Admissions and Triage Specialist
Reports to: Wildlife Veterinarian, Operations Director, or Wildlife Rehabilitation Director
Supervises: None

Classification: Full-time salary position
Salary: Competitive and based on experience

WildCare Oklahoma is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization that provides wildlife and conservation education, technical assistance in resolving human animal conflicts, medical and rehabilitative care to ill, injured, and orphaned wildlife, and members of the public a place to bring native wildlife struggling to survive with the goal of releasing healthy individuals back to nature. WildCare Oklahoma is the largest wildlife rehabilitation and education facility in Oklahoma and one of the largest in the US.

The Admissions & Triage Specialist is responsible for the admission of wildlife, prevention of admission or re-uniting of over 8,000 of Oklahoma’s injured, ill, and orphaned wildlife. Over 200 species are brought to WildCare annually comprising mostly bird and mammal species, with some reptiles and amphibians represented.

Position Summary:
The Admissions and Triage Specialist is a member of the WildCare operations team, reporting directly to the Operations Director. The Admissions and Triage Specialist is responsible for mitigating human and animal conflict situations, advising the public to safely capture animals, answering and helping hundreds of phone calls each day, conducting brief health checks among newly admitted patients to decide if reunification is possible or emergency care is necessary, among other responsibilities. The Admissions/Triage specialist will work closely with the veterinary team and rehabilitation team to provide quick quality care and assessment for new patients. On-the-job training will be provided for this exciting field.

Purpose:
The registered Admissions & Triage Specialist will; 1. Work with the public via phones, online messaging and walk-ins to resolve wildlife conflict issues and use creative problem-solving skills to find solutions that are humane and effective for the public and wildlife. 2. Efficiently and effectively assist in the initial assessment of an animal’s exam to determine re-uniting opportunities or emergency care needed. 3) Manage patient records and entry into our online database, WRMD. 4) Perform euthanasia when deemed the best course of action for a specific wildlife patient. 5) Respond to patient update requests in a timely manner. 6) Ensure the front desk has the supplies needed to efficiently and effectively carry out the work on a daily basis. 7) Identify and suggest ways to improve both admissions and rehabilitative care of patients as part of the broader WildCare team. These duties ensure the highest standard of care is provided to our wild animal patients.
Duties and Responsibilities
Primary Functions:
● Provide community education about living and co-existing with wildlife
● Assess wildlife situations via the phones or messaging to determine the best course of action for the animal; rescue, transport, safe capture, reunite, nuisance situations
● Assess new admissions for initial treatment or possible reunification if accidentally kidnapped
● Maintain accurate records and data entry into WRMD database
● Follow and uphold protocols to reduce risk of disease between patients and/or people
● Participate as a full member of the staff, which may include answering phones, conducting intakes, doing laundry, cleaning the center when needed, and attending staff meetings and trainings

Admissions Responsibilities:
● Perform daily interactions via face-to-face, phone, or email with the public and other wildlife for hundreds of situations each day
● Give advice via the phone, online, or face to on how to help or how to find help when an animal is sick, injured, orphaned, or in distress
● Determine whether intervention is needed to prevent unnecessary admissions
● Ensure adherence to local and federal laws and educate the public on the laws
● Take detailed records of the public’s interactions with the wild animal; risky contact, feeding, exposure to other pets or people, medical care
● Input new patient records into WRMD database system
● Provide rescuers updates on patients they have brought in
● Update patient notes or disposition into WRMD database system
● Assist in research project data collection via data entry.
● Aide in the creation and compliance of protocols and procedures.
● Accurately identifying species and age of individual wildlife patients
● Discussing appropriate reunification techniques depending on the species
● Participate in and where appropriate complete continuing education, including reading appropriate literature, attending conferences, and communication with the rehabilitation and veterinary community.
● Work with veterinary and rehabilitation team for ordered or received packages logging and distributing
● Take photographs and videos for WildCare’s extensive public education and social media efforts.
● Other related duties, as assigned by the supervisor.

Triage Responsibilities:
● Work directly with the veterinary and rehab team to monitor and aid in animal health and safety, with the end goal of release to the wild.
● Conduct examination and triage of wild animal patients. Will need to work confidently and appropriately on busy high intake days.
● Conduct physical examinations, emergency, and critical care treatment such as oxygen or heat support, administering medications, restraint and handling of animals, transferring animals, subcutaneous injections, non-controlled drug euthanasia under the supervision of a veterinarian.
● Inform veterinary team or assist veterinary team with new animals needing radiographs, wound care, potential infectious diseases, rabies risk assessments, advanced euthanasia, potentially dangerous animal transfers (adult deer, beaver, otter, predators, etc.)
● Perform appropriate and respectful euthanasia on a wide variety of species.
● Perform hospital maintenance, cleaning, and disinfecting. Maintain appropriate organization and cleanliness of all areas, with emphasis on admissions.
● Maintain complete and accurate patient records in WRMD, an online database.

Qualifications/Requirements:
● Previous experience in a wildlife rehabilitation setting, experience in a high-volume center considered a plus
● Registered Veterinary Technician licensing preferred, but not required
● Ability to become a certified euthanasia technician registered in the state of Oklahoma within 6 months of hiring
● Pre-exposure rabies vaccination or ability to get pre-exposure rabies vaccination within 3 months of hiring
● Safe animal handling skills required, with wildlife handling knowledge preferred.
● Excellent time management skills and customer service skills
● Ability to listen carefully, think critically, and problem solve creatively
● Able to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team
● Ability to work under pressure
● Flexibility to work varying schedules

General Competencies:
● Attendance and Dependability - Consistently at work and on time. Follows instructions and responds to management direction. Provides consistent, timely, high-quality work. Follow through on commitments. Uses time efficiently. Takes responsibility for own actions.
● Customer Service - Treats customers (internal and external) with respect and courtesy. Shows interest in, anticipates, and responds timely to customer needs and concerns. Responds appropriately to and resolves difficult and emotional situations. Seeks ways to improve service delivery.
● Diversity - Enthusiastically works with all employees, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, culture, and age. Values contributions of people from diverse backgrounds. Demonstrates respect for opinions and ideas of others. Shows awareness of and sensitivity to cultural and individual values.
● Ethics - Tells truth and is honest in all dealings. Avoids situations and actions considered inappropriate or which present a conflict of interest. Upholds organizational values. Does not misrepresent self or use position or authority for personal gain.
● Teamwork - Listens and responds constructively to others' views. Gives and welcomes feedback. Helps others when they need it. Share expertise. Acknowledges others' effort and contribution. Puts the success of the team above their own interests. Creates a positive work environment.

Essential Functions, Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The majority of WildCare’s facilities are outdoors. Therefore, candidates for this job must be able to:
● Maintain calm and professional demeanor, working with members of the public
● Ability to multitask and maintain organization if multiple admissions are happening simultaneously
● Will participate in team lifting of animals, weighing up to 300 pounds. Must be able to lift/carry up to 50 pounds on own.
● Walk on uneven, natural terrain.
● Must be able to safely restrain dangerous animals.
● Must be able to walk, stand, kneel, and crouch.
● This position relays heavily on all senses every day to evaluate patients.
● Vision, hearing, and hand-eye coordination are essential for examining and working with wildlife species.
● Potential exposure to isoflurane, x-rays, hazardous chemicals, zoonotic and other contagious diseases, and medical drugs.
● There will be computer work.

To Apply:
Please submit a cover letter stating qualifications and interest, resume, and three contacts for recommendations to Elise Gundlach, hiring@wildcareoklahoma.org . Put “Admissions & Triage Specialist” in the subject line. Application open until filled

WildCare Foundation is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All applicants will be considered without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.