Winter Marine Wildlife Veterinary Laboratory Intern

About the Role

Intern will learn about diagnostics and instruments used in a veterinary laboratory specializing in Alaskan marine mammals, birds, and fish. Intern will be exposed to methods for maintaining a clean and efficient laboratory.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with setting up and processing routine blood samples.
• Work with laboratory technicians to perform plasma/serum separations, prepare blood slides, and assist with performing serum chemistries and cell counts using an automated analyzer.
• Assist with maintaining laboratory and veterinary clinic cleanliness and routine equipment maintenance.
• Conduct weekly water quality testing.
• Assist with maintaining sample inventory.
• Assist with shipping samples to outside researchers.
• Assist with maintaining medical and laboratory records and logs.
• Assist with organizing and inventorying consumable supplies for the laboratories, including lifting and moving boxes up to 50 lbs.
• Foster good relations with visitors, volunteers, community leaders, contractors, and fellow staff members by promoting positive attitudes, goodwill, and cooperation.
• Present structured and impromptu talks on topics regarding the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Veterinary Department.
• Comply with all Alaska SeaLife Center policies, procedures, and programs.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills and Procedures Learned

• Blood analysis
• Urine and fecal analysis
• Total and fecal coliform water quality analysis
• Sample collection during animal exams or necropsy
• Maintaining veterinary records and sample inventory

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Working on or have a Bachelor's degree in a science-related field.
• Interest in the Veterinary Medicine field.
• Experience in a veterinary laboratory setting is helpful but not required.
• Agility with a good sense of balance for maneuvering around exhibits and holding areas, including uneven and potentially slippery surfaces.
• Comfort working with database computer programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access) and sensitive equipment.
• Willingness to work with frozen samples and in walk-in freezers.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to follow instructions.

Note: Although tasks will be in direct support of animal welfare, there is very little direct contact with animals in this position.