Job Summary

Ensures the safety and health of animals and co-workers by utilizing safe restraining techniques, following standard protocols, and maintaining clean, sterile and organized treatment areas and surgery suite. This position reports to the Shelter Veterinarian and is responsible for implementing all medical protocols as directed by the Shelter Veterinarian.

Essential Functions

• Sedates and prepares animals for surgery, including weighing and shaving animals, calculating drug dosages and preparing injections.
• Prepares and administers medications (orally, subcutaneous, intra-muscular, and intravenously) and vaccinations according to instructions and direction from the Veterinarian; draws up, logs and administers controlled substances under supervision of Veterinarian.
• Assists Veterinarian in surgical procedures by monitoring anesthesia, heart rate and blood pressure, running the autoclave, cleaning instruments and “gloving in” when necessary; sanitizes and prepares instruments for surgery using an autoclave; cleans and monitors animals during recovery and after surgery; assists Veterinarian with medical emergencies including placement of IV catheters, monitoring of vital signs, and providing fluid therapy.
• Performs venipuncture to draw blood samples from animals; runs and interprets diagnostic tests using blood samples; collects fecal samples from animals and processes for results; uses a microscope to examine fecal flotations; interprets and communicates results to Veterinarian; performs skin scrapings from animals with skin problems; examines skin scrapings and interprets results to determine if the animals are infected with parasitic mites; communicates results to Veterinarian.
• Performs basic bandaging and wound care for animals; cares for, cleans, and feeds animals in assigned areas; observes and evaluates animals for signs of illness, injuries and parasites.
• Assists Animal Control Officers and Animal Care Specialists, in the absence of a veterinarian, in performing basic procedures on injured animals such as triage, wound care, bandaging, SQ fluids etc.); restrains animals for medical exams and procedures.
• Assists citizens with adopted pets for one week following adoption within the facility or by telephone; schedules appointments for veterinarian, fields questions from citizens regarding medical problems, and assists veterinarian with treatment of returned animals.
• Authorizes and performs euthanasia upon animals for medical reasons; injects into the animal an intravenous pentobarbital sodium solution or tranquilizes the animal followed by intracardiac injection of same solution.
• Enters medical information such as vaccination history, medications administered, surgical procedures performed, etc. into the computer system (Chameleon); maintains maintenance, inventory, controlled drug and laboratory logs, sign-off sheets, records and animal tracking information as directed and assigned by the Veterinarian.
• Drive a county vehicle in the performance of assigned duties; transport shelter animals to and from private veterinary clinics for surgical and/or medical procedures.
• Understands and properly uses medical terminology during the daily communication with the Veterinarian regarding cases and when making input of medical records into the computer database.
• Monitor inventory levels and maintains medical supply and drug inventory for entire facility; submits medical supply requests to fiscal technician for processing and ordering.\
• Maintains a sanitary environment in surgery and clinic areas by cleaning surgery and clinic areas including cages, counters, tables, and floors.
  ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS
• Assesses animals within shelter for adoption.
• Assists with non-medical euthanasia as needed.
• Cleans and feeds animals in other kennel areas within facility as needed.
• Unloads feed and supplies from trucks.
• Assists other staff members with all aspects of shelter operations (medical and non-medical).
• Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Coursework in veterinary medicine is preferred.
• One (1) year of related experience.
• Fingerprinting required.
  LICENSES/CERTIFICATES :
• Must possess and maintain state certification in Euthanasia Injection or obtain within six (6) months of hire.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License with any applicable endorsement(s) to drive a County vehicle as provided in CMA 5805.

Supplemental information

• Salary offers above the minimum pay grade may be considered based on qualifications.
• Essential Employees may be required to work during an undeclared or declared emergency. The County’s Administrative Office will determine who will be required to work on an incident-by-incident basis.
• This job posting is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position.