Job Overview
Boerne Veterinary Clinic is seeking to hire a veterinary technician to join our wonderful team. LVT, CVT, and/or previous experience as a veterinary technician is preferred. This is a full-time position. Our veterinary technicians are trained in proper restraint, venipuncture, catheter placement, digital x-ray positioning, and anesthesia monitoring.
Boerne Veterinary Clinic is a cutting-edge small animal general practice with a fun, family-oriented environment and we pride ourselves on our friendly atmosphere and wonderful clientele. We are a three doctor, and 1 relief DVM practice with state of the art equipment such as in house blood machines, digital radiology, digital dental radiology, and ultrasound. We practice high standards of veterinary medicine and value teamwork between our doctors, technicians, and receptionists. If you would like to join us please email your resume to [email protected] or you are welcome to visit our practice and drop off a resume in person at 921 North Main Street, Boerne, TX 78006.
*Please note that pay rate will be discussed based on experience and qualifications and can be negotiated at the time of the interview
Position Overview
The purpose of this position is to improve the quality of patient care by assisting veterinarians and other technicians with patient care and treatment. Technicians monitor clinicized pets, maintain inventory, prepare prescriptions, perform routine procedures, in-house lab work, and educate clients regarding veterinary care and procedures. The Technician assists veterinarians to the fullest possible extent, allowing them to achieve greater efficiency by relieving them of technical and administrative work.
The Technician performs a variety of clinic, patient, and client-care duties; facility maintenance, collects initial patient assessments and history from owners, and performs procedures and treatments. Technicians maintain a high standard of patient care, communicating clearly with the veterinarians, other clinic personnel, and clients to ensure that patients receive the care they need.
The Technician is friendly and flexible in the face of varying expectations from clients and co-workers. The Technician quickly prioritizes, changes focus, multi-tasks, and thinks creatively and must respond quickly and calmly to emergencies, leading others through necessary tasks.
Technicians strongly believe in the quality of care provided and communicate this sense of assurance to clients. Technicians understand veterinary services and recommendations and clearly convey the value of the services to the clients, promoting a positive work environment and providing direction to and motivating coworkers.
Must be able to withstand unpleasant odors and noises. May be exposed to bites, scratches, animal waste, and contagious diseases.
Reporting Structure
Directly reports to the Practice Manager. Will also receive direction from veterinarians on a daily basis.
Primary Responsibilities
Veterinary Knowledge
- Maintains and uses an appropriate level of veterinary medical knowledge. Takes advantage of in-house educational materials and continuing education provided by the clinic.
- Maintains knowledge of the clinic’s programs, products, and services.
- Maintains state-required continuing education requirements and licensing.
- Keeps abreast of over-the-counter products and their usage, including flea-control products, skin products, vitamins, and pet foods.
Patient Care
- Provides compassionate patient care, including keeping patients clean, dry, and comfortable.
- Alerts veterinarian to changes in patients’ condition.
- Recognizes patients with contagious disease and follows applicable procedures.
- Medicates patients as required.
- Performs basic emergency care, CPR, and intensive care as needed.
- Admits out-patients throughout the day.
Animal Handling
- Restrains animals in a safe, efficient, and compassionate manner during examinations and procedures.
- Assists with transport of animals to different areas of the clinic as needed. Cages and removes animals as needed.
- Exercises compassion and care in all interactions with patients. Properly handles fractious and fearful animals.
Exam Room Assistance
- Follows established procedures in order to assist veterinarians with examinations and facilitate the flow of clients and outpatients.
- Consults with veterinarians on a daily basis to plan each day’s activities. Keeps veterinarians apprised of potential problems, discussions with clients, and other situations as necessary.
- Reviews medical records and notes made by the admitting Client Care Specialist (receptionist) to discern the nature of the visit and any tests or procedures that may be needed.
- Stock drawers in exam rooms and treatment areas.
- Greets clients and patients and escorts them into an exam room. Places the patient on the exam table and prepares for the veterinarian to enter the room. Obtains base information (weight, temperature, etc.) for the pet.
- Discusses with the client the reason for the visit, any symptoms or problems, and any procedures that may need to be completed (e.g., vaccinations, fecal, or heartworm tests).
- Gather history and review treatment plans.
- Obtains lab samples that may be needed from the pet. Uses a fecal loop when necessary. Anticipates and prepares any diagnostics, treatments, medications, or vaccines the veterinarian will need to treat the patient.
- Notifies the veterinarian when patients in the exam room are ready to be seen. Advises the veterinarian about the nature of the visit, preventive procedures due, and necessary tests.
- Assists the veterinarian with the exam by restraining the animal, preparing forms, and gathering instruments. Remains in the exam room until excused by the veterinarian.
- Enters all charges into the computer and ensures that all procedures rendered during the visit are documented for proper billing.
- Ensures that future reminders are set up in the computer system for the patient.
- Presents clients with medications, instructions, and any other items to take home
- Reviews discharge instructions, medications, and services rendered, and informs clients of the total amount due.
- Schedules discharge and follow-up appointments.
- Accepts payments from the client. Accurately processes cash, checks, charge card payments, credit account payments, and post-dated checks. Accurately invoices coupons and gift certificates
- Prepares the exam room for the next visit.
Medical Records
- Ensures accurate and efficient documentation of all vaccinations, procedures, and notes in the medical record.
- Admits and releases patients for all clinic procedures, appropriately completing paperwork.
- Accurately invoices clients for services.
- Ensures that reminders are set correctly for every visit.
Diagnostics and Laboratory Procedures
- Accurately performs routine, in-house laboratory procedures. Collects, prepares, and handles specimens according to clinic protocols.
- Prepares specimens for outside laboratory. Obtains results from the lab via phone or fax.
- Monitors lab supplies, and orders additional lab supplies as needed.
- Take radiographs using proper techniques and positioning.
Treatment and Other Procedures
- Performs routine applicable injections, nail trims, anal gland expressions, and weight checks.
- Applies bandages and splints.
- Sterilizes instruments.
- Prepares patients for procedures.
- Gives intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous injections as directed.
- Examines patients for fleas, skin irritations, and other obvious problems that may have not been noted by owners.
Medication Dispensation
- Understands usage of and recommendations for prescription drugs, such as heartworm preventative products and flea-control products.
- Draws up vaccines, sets up syringes, and ensures that drugs and equipment are ready.
- Maintains knowledge of drugs and their uses.
- Calculates drug dosages and fills prescriptions accurately.
- Prepares prescription labels and appropriately packages medications. Initial the label and acquire a secondary technician or DVM initial to confirm the medication is dispensed accurately.
- Documents controlled drug dispensation.
- Ensures that medications are added to the patient’s record and appropriately charged to the client.
Safety
- Follows OSHA guidelines concerning safety and handling of hazardous materials.
- Follows established clinic safety guidelines regarding radiographs, controlled drugs, and animal handling.
Surgical Assistance
- Properly cleans, packs, and autoclaves all used surgical materials.
- Keeps the operating room properly stocked and prepared for surgery.
- Provides support to surgical technicians as needed.
Clinicized Patient Care
- Admits and discharges patients on the veterinarian’s orders, being especially careful to ensure that patients being discharged are well-groomed and in a medically appropriate state.
- Assists with morning rotation of animals in kennels as needed.
- Ensures that all animals receive needed medication.
- Documents all services rendered.
- Organizes daily patient status lists and updates as needed.
- Communicates with clinic attendants regarding patient needs. Reviews and passes off cases with other technical staff if cannot continue care the next work day.
Client Relations
- Demonstrates warmth, courtesy, and professionalism in all client interactions.
- Communicates with clients regarding the medical status of their pets.
- Calls back or otherwise follows up with clients concerning certain patients; recommends additional visits if the patient's progress does not appear satisfactory.
- Educates clients regarding preventive medicine and vaccination requirements. Recommends laboratory procedures, such as annual bloodwork profiles, fecal analysis, urinalysis, and heartworm screening.
- Instructs clients on pre-procedure instructions for pets, how to care for their pets after discharge from clinicization, and how to administer medications.
- Generates accurate treatment plans and estimates, and communicates the plan value to clients.
- Provides accurate information to clients concerning fees, payment policies, and other clinic policies.
- Efficiently manages the appointment schedule, ensuring that the patients’ and clients’ needs are met, and follows up as appropriate.
- Schedules the next appointment/recheck for each patient.
- Promotes the practice’s products, programs, and services. Utilizes “passive marketing.” Makes suggestions to clients about products appropriate for their pet’s condition.
- Gives clients handouts and educational materials to take home to further their understanding of their pets’ health issues.
Facility Maintenance
- Cleans and straightens exam rooms, treatment areas, and lab areas. Assists other staff members to keep the public areas of the practice clean and well maintained.
- Restocks exam rooms with supplies as needed.
- Cleans and maintains all medical equipment as required.
- Cleans and cares for equipment properly.
- Keeps the clinic clean and stocked.
- Removes trash from the clinic, and sweeps and mops floors daily.
- Launders soiled blankets, towels, and other linens.
Personal Conduct
- Adheres to all clinic policies, standards, and procedures, including but not limited to uniforms, grooming, smoking, and personal calls, as stated in the Employee Handbook.
- Serves as a representative of the clinic, displaying courtesy, tact, consideration, and a positive attitude in all interactions with clients, patients, and other staff members.
- Demonstrates initiative in everyday duties by seeking other work during down times, assisting other employees, and filling in for other employees as needed.
- Adheres to the posted work schedule. Arrives for work promptly and begins work at the start time. Follows clinic policies for reporting lateness or absences.
- Utilizes the time clock to clock in and out at the beginning and end of each day and during breaks.
- Organizes work areas and exercises time-management skills to maximize personal efficiency.
- Prioritizes tasks and handles multiple tasks in a calm, organized manner.
Additional Duties
- Attends departmental and mandatory staff meetings.
- Answers the phone when the Client Care Specialist (receptionist) cannot answer by the third ring.
- Maintains appropriate inventory amounts of all supplies. Informs Practice Manager when items need to be ordered.
- Unpacks boxes of medical supplies, checks expiration dates and serial/LOT numbers, and rotates stock.
- Ensures all products and literature are identified with labels.
Requirements
- Education equivalent to the completion of the 12 grade.
- Willingness to pursue further education.
- At least one year of recent experience in veterinary practice or medical environment, with increasing responsibilities.
- Ability to perform routine veterinary medical procedures (e.g., collect samples, draw blood, and administer vaccines).
- Ability to maintain clear and accurate records and to charge clients for all products and services rendered.
- Ability to properly restrain patients.
- Knowledge of spelling and meaning of commonly used veterinary medical terminology and procedures.
- Ability to complete assigned tasks in the time allotted without direct supervision.
- Demonstrated ability to show empathy toward clients and treat animals with respect and compassion.
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
- A commitment to outstanding client service.
- Ability to lift objects weighing 40 pounds without assistance and objects weighing more than 40 pounds with assistance.
- Ability to stay on task and work energetically for the entire shift, sometimes exceeding 10 hours per day.
*Preferred: Education equivalent to two years of college (pre-veterinary curriculum) or Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT).
*Preferred: Three years’ recent experience in a veterinary practice, with increasing responsibilities.
Pay: $17.73 - $18.91 per hour
Benefits:
- Continuing education credits
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid parental leave
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Uniform allowance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
