Veterinary Technician

REPORTS TO: Clinic Manager

FACILITY/LOCATION: Trenton Center and PVAS locations as needed

Job Description Summary

The veterinary technician serves as the veterinarian’s primary medical support and plays a critical role in delivering high-quality patient care. They initiate the examination process and continue to assist the veterinarian throughout the diagnosis and treatment phases. Veterinary technicians help increase the efficiency of the veterinary team by handling technical tasks and administrative details, allowing the veterinarian to focus on clinical duties. Technicians also play a key role in client communication and education, ensuring pet owners understand their pets’ health needs, treatment plans, and preventive care. This position includes direct involvement in surgical procedures including patient preparation, anesthesia monitoring, and care for animals at Palm Valley Animal Society as well as pets owned by members of our community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Can provide compassionate care to patients and clients.

• Can conduct oneself in a positive, confident, and professional manner even when stressed and/or focused on individual tasks.

• Can legibly keep accurate medical records, in a timely manner and in accordance with shelter policy.

• Can prepare and maintain work areas.

• Can perform physical assessments; document observations in ShelterLuv.

• Can effectively restrain pets even when large or difficult.

• Understands all common vaccinations and shelter vaccination protocols and can explain to clients.

• Understands the importance of a clean and orderly facility, and does not hesitate to clean or organize as part of normal job duty.

• Maintains positive, cooperative relationships with other employees.

• Gives SQ, IM, and IV injections.

• Can handle client’s medical questions with confidence and direct to veterinarians when appropriate.

• Can explain the necessary follow-up and homecare instructions.

• Understands usage, dosage, and common side-effects for commonly used prescription drugs and can readily explain them to the clients.

• Can maintain an appropriate inventory of all medical supplies as determined by the inventory control system.

• Can assist the veterinarian in medical and surgical procedures; prepares patients for surgery; administers anesthesia; monitors patients during surgery and recovery; administer fluids.

• Can properly care for all surgical materials; keep the operating room properly stocked and prepared for surgery.

• Can perform emergency procedures such as control of bleeding, resuscitation with oxygen, opening airways, and external cardiac massage.

• Can perform clinical laboratory procedures such as fecal flotation exams, heartworm checks, skin scrapings, urinalysis, and fungal cultures; draws blood for laboratory analysis; maintains a file of lab test results and ensures that test results are recorded in patient records.

• Can effectively position for and take radiographs.

• Can place IV catheters and properly care for them. Understands the use and care of IV pumps as well.

• Knows common disease states and can alert veterinarians when symptoms change or when concerns arise with hospitalized patients or housed animals.

• Can discharge patients based on the veterinarian’s orders, ensuring that patients are in a medically appropriate state.

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of experience as a veterinary technician or assistant.

• Prior experience in surgical settings preferred.

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• Veterinary Technician Certification (CVT) is desirable but not required.

• Previous On-The-Job Training is desirable when not a CVT.

• Working knowledge of dog and cat handling and behavior, including pets with challenging temperaments and with severe health conditions.

• Ability to handle pets safely and with kindness always, without exception.

• Must possess and maintain a current, valid Texas Driver’s License.

Skills and Requirements

• Must be able to work in a high-volume, fast-paced, high-stress environment.

• Self-motivated, great attitude, team-oriented a must.

• Must have the ability to render quick, responsible decisions under stressful circumstances.

• Knowledge and understanding of herd management practices and principles as they apply to shelter health.

• Must be able to use and understand shelter/medical software programs and other basic equipment associated with day-to-day operations. Experience with ShelterLuv is a plus.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective and positive working relationships and communications with staff, volunteers, animal control officers, and the general public.

• Ability to help establish and maintain best practices regarding sanitation, health, and animal wellbeing.

Work Environment:

• While performing the duties of the job, the employee is frequently exposed to odors or airborne particles including animal fur and toxic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is very loud. Frequent driving between facilities is required as well as consistent availability after-hours, on weekends, and on holidays.

Benefits:

• Dental Insurance

• Health Insurance

• Paid time off Schedule:

• 8-hour shift

• 5 days on with 2 days off

• Some emergency on-call

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary

Pay: From $13.00 per hour

Work Location: In person

Salary : $13