Veterinary Technician

Requirements

N/A

Job Description

Comments From This Job Announcement

Summary:
Performs specialized, technical paramedical duties with regard to the care and treatment of animals at Cleveland County Animal Services. This position is responsible for providing limited medical care to animals; assisting the veterinarian with monitoring the health of shelter animals; the analysis of animal disease; and assists with the treatment of sick or injured animals.; and surgical procedures. Work includes routine medical and emergency procedures, euthanasia of sick, injured, or aggressive animals.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities include:
Assesses the health of animals and perform physical examinations.
Under the recommendations of a licensed veterinarian will perform diagnostic and medical procedures, administer medications, vaccinations, treatments, assist with procedures, calculate drug dosages, perform euthanasia by injection for animals with irremediable conditions, and place intravenous catheters.
Perform in-house laboratory/ diagnostic testing including but not limited to blood chemistry/CBC; urinalysis, cytology, fungal culture, snap tests, dental prophy, venipuncture, and specimen collection, etc.
Clean medical suite and animal enclosures.
Inventory and order medical supplies.
Maintain detailed and accurate documentation of controlled drugs and medical records in accordance with departmental policy, applicable rules and laws.
Provide high-quality service through counseling and support to members of the public, fosters and adopters relating to animal health in a courteous manner, exhibiting professionalism with all contacts.
Provides training to interns and assistants.
Maintains appropriate scope of practice for veterinary technicians in accordance with NCVMB rules.
The responsibilities and duties outlined above are intended to provide a general outline and summary of this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities. Additional tasks may be assigned as needed, with or without notice, to meet the needs of the department and county.

Education & Experience:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate degree in veterinary medical technology and 1 year of related experience working as a veterinary technician. Prefer previous experience in shelter medicine and working with high volume of spay/neuter. Licensed by the NCVMB as a registered veterinary technician (RVT) preferred but not required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Thorough knowledge of the state and local laws, regulations, codes, ordinances, and best industry practices relating to the proper treatment, handling, and sheltering of animals, including but not limited to the Veterinary Practice Act and related administrative rules; NCDA& CS Animal Welfare Act and related administrative rules; NC Rabies Law; NC Controlled Substances Act and related administrative rules.
Thorough knowledge of veterinary medicine, including, but not limited to, established standards and best practices for identification of illness, appropriate treatment protocols and techniques, surgical procedures, pharmacology, anesthesia, emergency response, etc.
Thorough knowledge of the laws and regulations related to euthanasia by injection, the administration of controlled substances and pharmaceuticals commonly used in the treatment of animals, and related record keeping.
Ability to understand, recognize, and respond to animal illness, disease, and injury.
Skilled in handling animals who are sick, injured, frightened, feral, and/or fractious in a safe and humane manner.
Skilled with performing animal examinations, vaccinations, treatments, and diagnostics, and administering medications.
Ability to develop and maintain positive, collaborative, and harmonious working relationships with co-workers, stakeholders, and customers.
Ability to utilize strong communications skills to professionally promote positive, collaborative, working relationships among staff and with the citizens.
Ability and skill in using technology at a proficient level for managing digital records, data entry, and email communication

Work Environment / Physical Requirements:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This work requires regular exertion of up to 25 pounds of force, frequent exertion of up to 75 pounds of force and occasional exertion of over 100 pounds of force
Work regularly requires standing, walking, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms and pushing or pulling
Frequently requires stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and lifting and occasionally requires sitting, climbing or balancing, tasting or smelling and repetitive motions
Vocal communication is required for conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly
Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels
Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, using of measuring devices, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities
Work regularly requires exposure to wet humid conditions (weather and non-weather), exposure to fumes or airborne particles and exposure to outdoor weather conditions
Frequently requires working near moving mechanical parts and occasionally requires exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and animal dandruff and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment
Work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. grounds maintenance, heavy traffic).
Hazardous conditions such as aggressive animals and zoonotic diseases.

License & Certifications:
Certified Euthanasia Technician (North Carolina Dept. of Ag.) within 6 months of hire
Certified Rabies Vaccinator (North Carolina Dept. of Ag.) within 6 months of hire
Fear Free Certification - obtained within 6 months of hire

Work Location:
This role must work from the location identified at the time of hire with work travel required as needed. Any change of work location, even on a short-term or interim basis, must be reviewed by the Supervisor and HR for approval.

Additional information:
Individuals hired must be able to perform essential duties satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Cleveland County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
All applicants must submit a completed County Application by the closing date to www.clevelandcounty.com.

SELECTION PROCESS:
Selection will be by structured interview. Applications will be reviewed to select the most qualified applicants for admission to the interview.

Cleveland County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

$19.47/hr. **Compensation will be based on experience**

Salary Range