Overview
Objective: Assists with all practices and procedures of medical and surgical support, preparation, monitoring, and release of animals. Assess and monitor overall health, provide initial and routine medications and vaccines. Determine basic animal information at time of intake and maintain standards and record keeping as directed by the Clinic/Shelter Veterinarian.
Essential Functions:
· Adheres to agency Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to include standard best practices on safety and compliance
· Keeps all work areas, facilities, equipment, and animal cages clean and sanitized at all times
· Receives animals upon drop-off for surgery, at Shelter intake, and for foster care
· Maintains proper animal identification
· Checks animals for illness, infestations, injuries, or abnormalities, and performs diagnostic tests as directed by the Veterinarian
· Handles and restrains animals, including fractious and feral animals properly and safely
· Inoculates, medicates, feeds, and cares for animals as indicated by the Veterinarian
· Performs pre and post-surgical related duties to include but not limited to, cleaning instruments, wrapping packs, and maintaining machines/equipment
· Responsible for the efficient induction and prepping of animals for surgery, to include monitoring animals recovering from anesthesia
Assists with dental procedures including taking dental radiographs, anesthesia monitoring, and scaling and polishing.
· Performs post-surgical duties and checks to ensure proper recovery of the animals
· Dispenses prescribed medications
· Meets and talks with clients during admission, exams, vaccination clinics, foster rechecks, and surgical release, giving accurate and understandable instructions for post-surgical care and treatments as needed
· Prepares and maintains accurate medical records through agency database systems to include controlled substance logs
· Participates in euthanasia and disposal of animals as needed
· Responsible for handling after-hours emergency medical calls
Position Requirements:
· Humane treatment of animals
· Is able to accept and explain the concepts of prepubescent sterilization, prerelease sterilization of adopted animals and humane euthanasia
· Must recognize or be willing to gain working knowledge of normal and abnormal health and behavioral conditions of the patients, pre- and post-surgery
· Knowledge of the diseases and disorders of animals, spay/neuter, related procedures, animal handling and restraint
· Familiarity with medical terminology and medical knowledge preferred
· Mathematical skills for drug conversions and dosing preferred
· Knowledge of disinfecting procedures; antisepsis and asepsis
Physical Factors:
· Exposure to animals such as cats, dogs, and exotics
· Ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs. unassisted, and over 50 lbs. with assistance
· Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, dangerous and fractious animals, high noise levels, wet surfaces, hazardous chemicals, and sharp objects. Peanut butter is used extensively throughout the facility.
· Long periods of standing, bending, stooping, reaching, and working outdoors in varying weather conditions will be required
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $17.50 per hour
Expected hours: 40 per week
Benefits:
Dental insurance
Employee assistance program
Employee discount
Flexible spending account
Health insurance
Health savings account
Life insurance
Paid time off
Retirement plan
Vision insurance
Healthcare setting:
Clinic
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:Qualifications:
· High School graduate, associate’s degree as Veterinary Technician preferred
. Must have Veterinary Technician Certification
· 1-2 years’ experience performing Veterinary Technician duties preferred
