Position Summary
Under the direct supervision of the medical supervisor, the licensed veterinary technician works together to provide technical support and day to day care as instructed by the staff veterinarians. This includes interviewing and educating clients while obtaining a complete medical history, animal handling, restraint, medical assessments, and updating the electronic medical record. It is also the treatment technicians’ duties to ensure that they answer all the clients’ questions prior to them leaving, they have a clear understanding of the veterinarian’s recommendations and that client expectations are exceeded at every visit.
Essential Job Functions
- Provide necessary therapy
- Give injections including anesthetic agents under direct supervision of the doctor
- Perform routine laboratory analyses, including hematology, serology, blood chemistry, urinalysis, and fecals
- Monitor anesthetized patients
- Assist in surgery
- Administer oral drugs including anesthetic and controlled substances, colonic irrigation, wound dressings and fluid therapy
- Prepare cultures for bacteriological examination
- Perform emergency procedures including: control bleeding; administer parenteral fluids and pharmacological agents under veterinary supervision; resuscitate with oxygen; perform external cardiac massage; apply temporary bandages or splints; provide external supportive treatment of wounds, burns, and heat prostration
- Provide client education regarding nutrition, parasite control, vaccination protocols, spaying and neutering, and other topics
- Counsel clients regarding home care, medication administration, post-operative care, maintain all logs for controlled substances and records corresponding to necessary activities and equipment
- Take, develop and record radiographs
- Perform surgical preparation of patient and surgical site
- Fill prescriptions and prepare medications as prescribed by veterinarian
- Enter services provided in medical records and/or the computer
- Receive hospitalized and transfer patients
- Prepare and send out outside lab tests
- Notify doctor of lab results
- Clean and sterilize instruments
- Maintain lab and surgical supplies and equipment, including cold trays, sterile surgery packs, oxygen and anesthesia machines, centrifuge and microscopes
- Place IV catheters, provides fluids, and monitor administration
- Perform pedicures, express anal glands
- Assist in training and overseeing of new technicians
- Provide cross coverage as needed
- Other duties as assigned
Learning Period
- 3-6 months
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
- May be exposed to unpleasant odors, noises and animal feces. May be exposed to bites, scratches and contagious diseases.
- Must be willing to work a flexible schedule, possible overtime, nights, and Saturdays as needed
- Ability to lift 35lbs. without assistance
- Ability to open/close various types of containers with or without tools
- Ability to use a step ladder or stool
- Ability to reach above your head with arms stretched holding product
- Ability to bend down or squat or use stairs to basement
- Ability to walk the various types of terrain around the facility
Education/License Requirements
- High school diploma or GED required
- Licensed technicians must be graduates of an AVMA accredited training school or program. They must be licensed with the state of New York in good standing and must complete all professional requirements to maintain their licensure
- Computer literacy, including typing, required. Experience with general office equipment and software desired
Experience Requirements
- Hands-on clinical experience such as an internship, externship or previous work experience in a veterinary practice preferred, but not required
- Non-licensed technicians must have accumulated enough on-the-job training and experience to be able to perform the duties described
- Knowledge in veterinary medical terminology
Competencies
- Must have competency in the skills required for veterinary technician licensure
- Must genuinely enjoy working with animals even when they are stressed, ill or in pain
- Excellent bedside manner with patients and clients
- Calmly and safely restrain pets who may struggle, scratch or try to bite
- Employees must be able to respond calmly and quickly to frequent auditory signals, warnings, or communication from other staff, animals or medical equipment
- Must be able to make independent, common sense decisions and solve complex problems
- Perform multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent communication, listening, and documentation skills
- Ability to explain and relay information effectively
- Professional social skills, positive attitude, and adaptability
- Team player
- Impeccable verbal, written, and interpersonal skills
- Team coordination skills
- Must be able to perform, teach and oversee all duties of new technicians/veterinarian assistants
- Promote a positive attitude and demonstrate a commitment to the vision/mission of the practice
- Make suggestions for how to improve practice protocols
- Must be able to observe abnormal behaviors and physical problems in patients
- Technicians must be able to operate and maintain equipment pertinent to carrying out their duties, including but not limited to laboratory equipment, anesthesia and dental and radiographic equipment
- Ability to problem solve and work under pressure
- Strong attention to detail
- Excellent computer skills
To apply, click here.
