POSITION SUMMARY:
The Veterinary Technician works hand-in-hand with veterinarians to ensure quality patient care, and to aid the doctors in achieving greater efficiency by relieving them of technical work. The Veterinary Technician assists in multiple procedures providing care for animals including physical examinations, dental procedures, surgeries, immunizations, and euthanasia as well as client education, marketing, and inventory maintenance.
Technicians may also see their appointments for procedures such as suture removal, nail trim, vaccine administration when a doctor exam is not required, labwork, surgery admission and discharge, and boarding entrance exams.
This position requires a working knowledge of pharmaceutical drugs, common diseases; their symptoms, means of transmission, treatment and prevention, and other basic preventative health care recommendations.
This is an overview of the position and the job responsibilities listed do not encompass the entire position. The Veterinary Technician is under the direct guidance and supervision of the Lead Veterinary Technician and Veterinarians.
PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Technical: 65%
- Assist veterinarians with veterinary medicine and surgery in any appropriate capacity
- Obtain and record patient histories, vital signs, and weights
- Perform in-hospital lab testing and prepare specimens for reference labs
- Dispense and administer medications, vaccines, serums, and treatments as prescribed by veterinarians.
- Administer fluids and blood products as prescribed by the veterinarian; use and maintain IV pump.
- Administer and monitor anesthesia under the direction of a veterinarian.
- Provide specialized nursing care for injured or ill animals.
- Prepare patients, instruments, and equipment for surgery; clean, maintain, and sterilize instruments, equipment, and materials.
- Assure that monitoring and support equipment such as anesthetic machines, cardiac monitors, scopes, and breathing apparatus are in good working condition.
- Communicate with and educate owners in a compassionate, tactful, professional manner
- Take radiographs – processes rads demonstrate proper positioning techniques
- Maintain knowledge of preventative healthcare recommendations to answer client questions, provide education on vaccines, flea, and heartworm products, and assist in marketing veterinary services from which their pet would benefit, such as dental cleaning, senior wellness, spay, and neuter procedures, and boarding.
- Educate clients on products and medications sold including dietary products and answer questions regarding product purchase/use.
- Perform client callbacks
- Assist kennel staff
- Maintain legally defensible medical records in cooperation with veterinarians
- Maintain inventory of pharmaceuticals, equipment and supplies
- Work well with all team members and ensure that your actions support the hospital, the doctors, and the practice philosophy.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Technical - Lab:
- Collect specimens and perform routine laboratory procedures and tests in hematology, biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, urinalysis, and serology to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems
- Assist in diagnostic, medical and surgical procedures using a range of high-tech diagnostic equipment including electrocardiographic, radiographic, and ultrasonographic equipment.
- Report diagnostic testing to veterinarians
- Maintain quality controls and record keeping on in-house lab equipment • Complete proper sample preparation and paperwork for reference lab tests
- Fill prescriptions per veterinarians’ instructions; double-check for accuracy; have another employee sign (two signatures on each prescription that leaves our hospital).
Technical - Surgery
- Admit patients scheduled for anesthetic procedures • Keep surgical materials stocked; prepare gown and surgical packs or oversee this process
- Check oxygen lines and waste gas scavenger system; turn off scavenger system after surgical procedures are completed
- Prepare surgery suite for surgery in collaboration with surgery assistant
- Prepare instruments; know the type of surgical instruments required for specific surgeries
- Perform induction/intubation and all pre-anesthetic procedures, including patient prep
- Monitor patients post-operatively • Clean surgery suite and instruments following hospital sterilization protocols
- Keep accurate anesthesia/surgical medical records
- Accurately calculate and record all medications and injections administered
- Ensure all surgery patients go home well-groomed and in an appropriate medical state
Technical - Dentistry
- Clean, scale, and polish teeth using dental equipment and hand instruments
- Perform fluoride treatments
- Record dental problems in the record and report to the veterinarian
- Assist veterinarians with performing oral extractions or other dental procedures
- Take before & after photos to be sent to the client
- Text client via ipad app when patient has woken up from surgery to advise the veterinarian will contact them soon but all went well
- Take dental radiographs for each tooth on each patient Technical
Medical Records
- Update medical records as needed
- Communicate with doctors and technicians through notations in medical records
- Record necessary (highlighted) information for hospitalized patients
- Create estimates/treatment plans and communicate them effectively and thoroughly, with confidence, to clients
Housekeeping Duties: 10%
- Maintain cleanliness of exam rooms, surgery suite, treatment area; all surfaces
- Maintain equipment cleanliness and longevity by vacuuming pet hair from wheels and equipment
- Keep food and drinks out of the treatment area and surgery suite; any place not permitted by OSHA • Discard syringes, vials, and containers in appropriate contain
Administrative Duties: 20%
Inventory
- Log controlled drugs
- Assist with inventory physical count
- Know how to use inventory module in Cornerstone
- Unpack deliveries, reconcile against packing slip, and restock supplies
Safety
- Follow OSHA requirements Follow practice’s health and safety protocols
- Maintain SDS manual and follow proper protocols
- Be knowledgeable regarding related federal and state animal health laws and regulations including OSHA and DEA; ensure everyone is in compliance; inform the Lead Veterinary Technician or Practice Manager of any regulatory issues
Administrative
- Assist CSRs when they need help
- Attend staff and department meetings Professional Growth Duties: 3%
- Attend continuing education for technicians, minimum of 10 hours annually
Network
- with technicians from other practices
- You are encouraged to read veterinary and technician journals
- You are encouraged to belong to professional associations or forums
***Must have a minimum of 1 year experience as a Veterinary Technician to qualify for this position.***
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $14.00 - $19.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Professional development assistance
Work Location: In person
