Veterinary Technician

Scope of Work

Under general supervision, is responsible for performing complex technical work assisting a Veterinarian in the medical care of animals at the city's animal shelter by applying knowledge of animal care, handling, husbandry and veterinary practices. May be assigned additional duties related to cleaning dog runs, cat cages and other areas of the shelter.

Essential Job Duties

This information is intended to be descriptive of the key responsibilities of the position. The following examples do not identify all duties performed by any single incumbent. This position has responsibilities that require lifting up to 50 pounds on occasion.

• Assists veterinarian with spay/neuter surgeries; sedates and prepares animals for surgery, monitors animals general health and vital signs during procedures and while recuperating. Monitors and regulates patient temperatures by using heated tables, pads, water bottles, and wrapping patients in blankets and towels. Prepares animal for surgery - clip surgical fields with straight margin, minimize tissue trauma, properly scrub and prepare surgical fields, maintain clean fields when moving patients, properly position and align animal for surgery.

• Assists veterinarian with and administers prescribed medications, both oral and injectable, to animals in order to provide support and nursing care. Properly calculates medication dosages and volumes of liquids or tablets to be administered. Identifies a patient's level of pain and possible causes of pain, and understand the medications and methods to control pain.

• Prepares for and assists veterinarian with routine and emergency medical procedures, including but not limited to wrapping wounds, blood draws, nail trimming, SQ fluids, IV and IM injections, IV catheter placement, fecal tests, microscopic exams, grooming needs and gland expression, etc.

• Performs daily health checks on all animals in the shelter; reviews all sick slips by examining and medicating if required, and moving animal to appropriate isolation area if required.

• Sets up and maintains equipment including respiratory and heart monitors, heating pads, autoclave, and surgical instruments, etc. Checks and maintains O2 machines and anesthetic equipment.

• Processes each animal by examining and documenting in computer database all health information, vaccinations and any minor medical attention provided, veterinarian notes, presence of microchip and all animal description information.

• Performs routine diagnostic tests including but not limited to parvo, heartworm, fecal floatation, skin scrapings, urinalysis, fungal cultures, etc.

• Prepares rabies specimens for health department testing.

• Assists with euthanasia as required.

• Cleans kennels and provides animal care as directed by shelter management.

• Maintains Clinic by cleaning and disinfecting the Surgery Center kennel and health care areas for prevention of infectious/zoonotic disease, and organizing, cleaning and sterilizing surgical instruments and packs.

• Maintains clinic inventory and assists in ordering supplies and medications.

• Maintains surgery and controlled substance logs. Keeps controlled drugs secured to meet Drug Enforcement Agency and state board specifications.

• Performs computer data entry and record keeping according to established protocol.

• Remains productive during slow times by seeking additional duties such as cleaning, stocking or other tasks.

• Develops and maintain shelter emergency plan.

• All other duties as assigned by a supervisor/manager within your department/division

Physical and Environmental Conditions

Ability to sit, stand and drive a vehicle to and from various work sites. Employee may be exposed to seasonal temperatures while maintaining kennel and grounds, traffic hazards, chemicals, mild acids, detergents and noise. Employee also may be exposed to animal bites and animal transmitted diseases. Ability to lift bags of materials such as dog food, cat litter, or animals regularly.

Required Qualifications

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills

Ability to interact with the public and provide humane care for the animals. Some knowledge in the recognition of animal diseases is needed. Ability to follow both written and oral instructions is also necessary.

Ability to read and understand manuals and state and other regulations in order to record work activities, complete required records, or provide information to the public. Knowledge of the equipment necessary to restrain animals such as catch poles, cat grabbers, and various traps and cages. Skill in math in order to compute and maintain various records and measure chemicals. Employee develops correspondence with other state and local agencies and maintains records.

Minimum Education, Experience and Certification

Any combination equivalent to experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may qualify. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities would be:

• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent, preferred Graduate of American Veterinarian Medical Association (AVMA) or Associate's Degree.

• Experience: Three (3) years of experience as a veterinary technician or assistant preferred; preferably in a shelter environment, but may consider other relevant medical and leadership experience. Must possess intermediate computer skills, including Microsoft Office and ability to learn shelter software, PetPoint.

• Licenses: Valid Texas Driver's License required. Licensed Veterinary Technician in the state of Texas (preferred) and Euthanasia Certification (within 120 days).