Veterinary Technician

HERNANDO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

AL NIENHUIS, SHERIFF

JOB TITLE: VETERINARY TECHNICIAN

BUREAU: LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS

SUPERVISED BY: VETERINARY SERVICES SUPERVISOR

PAY GRADE: 14N CREATED: 11/10/2024

FLSA STATUS: NON - EXEMPT REVISED: 8/25/2025

Characteristics Of The Class

Under the supervision of the Veterinary Services Supervisor, provides medical care for shelter animals, ensuring humane treatment and thorough assessments of adoption potential. Key responsibilities include assisting the Shelter Veterinarian with medical procedures, surgeries, and post-operative care, as well as securing controlled substances, performing lab work, and managing related clerical tasks. This role requires attention to detail, compassion, and knowledge of veterinary care to support the health and well-being of animals within the shelter.

[NOTE]: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Essential Job Functions

• Prepares animals for surgery, outfits the operating room with surgical packs, assists veterinarian with surgical procedures, observes and reports animal health changes pre- and post-surgery, maintains surgical data records. Performs pre-surgical physical examinations and evaluations, reports known history of animals, blood work results, and vaccinations.
• Performs daily triage and medication of shelter animals. Works closely with the veterinarian to monitor signs and manage the spread of infectious disease.
• Safely handles and restrains animals of various sizes, temperaments, and species in accordance with established protocols and safety standards.
• Administers oral medications, vaccinations, anesthesia, and injections (intra-muscular, subcutaneous, and intravenous injections).
• Enforces, controls, and maintains security of controlled substances in accordance with rules, regulations, and federal laws.
• Performs laboratory tasks such as fecal analysis, bloodwork, urinalysis, cytology.
• Assists in responding to questions from citizens regarding spay/neutering or other medical questions.
• Responsible for notifying owners of impounded animals of any medical concerns and/or scheduled surgeries.
• Examines, evaluates, and vaccinates shelter animals. Responsible for daily inspections of kennel population for additional illness or injury. Reports findings to the veterinarian. Assist with animal assessment rounds, scoring animals for adoptability and pathway planning.
• Performs humane euthanasia on animals when necessary.
• Maintains accurate and precise medical records for each shelter animal and assists with daily tasks as needed.
• During an emergency, the Sheriff will determine who is considered an essential worker to maintain necessary operations of the animal shelter. This determination is subject to change based on the staffing and operational needs of the agency.
  
  

Qualifications

• Training and Experience
• High school diploma, GED or equivalent and completion of college level classes leading to certification as a Certified Veterinary Technician.
• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience working as an uncertified Veterinary Technician for a Licensed Veterinarian and/or (2) years working as a certified Veterinary Technician for a Licensed Veterinarian
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver License and be insurable by current insurance carrier.
• State of Florida euthanasia certification, or equivalent credentials, recognized by the Florida Animal Control Association.
• Florida Veterinary Medical Technician Certification (from the Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA) or the Florida Veterinary Technician Association (FVTA) is recognized equally.
• Must be able to draw blood, intubation, catheter placement, calculating medication and anesthetic drug dosages,
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Ability to work independently and confidently with little or no supervision to carry out assignments.
• Ability to assist the veterinarian during medical procedures and/or surgeries.
• Ability to always use sound judgment and maintain emotional stability while dealing with high stress situations. Ability to always maintain a professional demeanor. Ability to maintain precise and detailed records of all activities.
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with coworkers.
• Ability to effectively operate both shelter management software and commonly used office software and/or programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally or in writing to include public speaking to groups of all sizes.
• Ability to use a digital camera.
• Ability to work in an environment that will contain animals, which may be aggressive and/or diseased. Work environment may contain fleas, ticks, and/or other parasites. Animal euthanasia and storage of deceased animals will occur in this work environment. The animal shelter participates in the local inmate work program and inmates will be on property and always supervised
• Ability to use euthanasia equipment and chemicals, cleaning and disinfecting chemicals, animal handling equipment, pressure washer, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Ability to transport animals to various locations.
• Ability to draw blood, intubation, catheter placement, calculating medication and anesthetic drug dosage, cystocentesis
• Ability to handle shelter animals, including using restraints.
  
  

Essential Physical Skills

• Ability to lift and carry a minimum of 50 pounds.
• Ability to stretch, stoop, bend, kneel, reach and climb frequently.
• Ability to physically control highly active and/or aggressive animals, potentially weighing 80 pounds or more.
• Ability to sit and/or stand for long periods of time.
• Acceptable eyesight (with or without correction).
• Acceptable hearing (with or without hearing aid).
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle
  
  

Equal Opportunity Employer