Veterinary Technician

Reports to: Practice Owner or Manager

Position Overview

The Veterinary Technician is the veterinarian's primary medical support. They begin the examination procedure and continue to assist the doctor throughout the examination, diagnosis and treatment phases. They aid the veterinarian in achieving greater efficiency by relieving them of technical work and administrative detail. They have a very significant role in communicating with and educating clients about their pets. As a Veterinary Technician you will be working in our brand new facility. 

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Veterinary Technician certification or licensing 
• Previous on the job training desirable, if not registered 

Experience Requirements

• Minimum of two (2) years experience as a veterinary technician or assistant
• Minimum of two years experience with safe animal handling and restraint

Personal Requirements

• Minimum age of 18 years old
• Genuinely enjoys working with animals and is able to deal with them even when they are stressed, ill or in pain
• Ability to stay calm and efficient during a medical crisis
• Well spoken and approaches his/her job duties in a mature nature 
• Experienced in a teamwork approach and works well with all levels of hospital team members
• Excellent client communication skills

Physical Effort 

• Work requires lifting and carrying animals (will be assisted by other staff members in lifting animals over 40lbs) 
• Walks or stands for extended periods of time; frequently works in a bent position

Working Conditions

• May be exposed to unpleasant odors, noises and animal feces 
• May be exposed to bites, scratches and contagious diseases

Performance Expectations

• Can provide compassionate care to patients and clients 
• Can conduct oneself in a confident and professional manner even when stressed or focused on individual tasks
• Can legibly and accurately keep medical records in accordance with hospital policy
• Can prepare and maintain the exam and treatment rooms
• Can perform physical assessments; record observation ligibly in files or computer
• Can effectively restrain pets even when large or difficult
• Understands all common vaccinations and protocols and can explain to clients 
• Understand the importance of a clean and orderly facility, does not hesitate to clean or organize as a part of a normal job duty
• Maintains positive cooperative relationships with other team members
• Gives SQ, IM, and IV injections
• Can handle client's medical questions with confidence and direct to the veterinarian when appropriate
• Can prepare estimates for procedures and discuss financial commitments with clients while supporting hospital financial policies
• Can explain necessary treatments, home care and follow-up instructions
• Understand usage, dosage, and common side-effect for commonly used prescription drugs and can readily explain them to clients
• Can maintain an appropriate inventory of all medical supplies as determined by the inventory control system
• Can assist the veterinarian in medical, surgical dental procedures; prepares patients for surgery, administers anesthesia, monitors patients during surgery and recovery, administers fluids and medications
• Can properly care for all surgical materials; keep the operating room properly stocked and prepared for surgery
• Can perform emergency procedures such as control of bleeding, resuscitation with oxygen, opening airways and external cardiac massage
• Can perform clinical laboratory procedures such as fecal floats, heartworm test, skin scraping, urinalysis, slide stain preparation, blood smears, fungal culture, blood draw and ensure the tests are recorded properly in the patient's record
• Can effectively position for and take x-rays
• Can place IV catheters and properly maintain and care for them, understands the use of and care of IV pumps as well
• Knows common disease states and can alert the veterinarian when symptoms change or when concerns arise with hospitalized patients
• Knows and can follow proper protocol for infectious disease and cross contamination 
• Can prepare a patient for an ultrasound or an echo
• Can admit and discharge patients following hospital policy and Dr's orders
• When discharging patients ensures they are well groomed and clean in a medically appropriate state, ensure IV cath has been removed, meds administered
• Ensure the patient's medical chart and charges have been updated prior to discharge
• Go over treatment and surgical estimates with client, able to explain not only the medical need for the treatment but also the financial aspect as well
• Able to ask appropriate questions to obtain a medical history on each patient from the client 
• Able to properly record and fill out templates when getting medical history 
• Able to ask all questions relevant to that patient's issues
• Able to keep hospital flow sheets, cases and treatment board up to date and current
• Able to remain calm, compassionate, and professional during euthanasia procedures
• Able to work AS A TEAM with each member of your team 
• Able to follow directions from the doctors and be flexible with requests from different doctors 

Benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance are offered (the clinic pays half of the health insurance, and all of the dental and vision insurance)
• Paid holidays (full time staff only) 
• Paid time off (full time staff only) 

Schedule:

• Monday-Friday
• No weekends