Veterinary Technician

About the Department

Position Duties

• Assists veterinarian(s) with examination and treatment of sick and injured animals including, but not limited to: triages patients as needed for medical examination and treatment; retrieves and restrains animals for examination as needed; performs tasks that the veterinarian(s) requires such as clipping and cleaning patient for wound care, collects samples and conducts diagnostic testing, places IV catheters, monitors vital signs, manages pain until examination, and administers medications; fills out prescriptions for medications as directed; and prepares samples and paperwork to send out samples to outside lab as needed; repeatedly lifts and or works with high energy animals; assists with or performs humane euthanasia; prepares and/or reviews written prescriptions for adopted animals. Performs surgical preparation duties and assists with animal surgeries including, but not limited to: preparing anesthesia machines and ensuring that oxygen and pulse oximeter are operational; sets up surgery table; cleans surgical instruments and endotracheal tubes; wraps and sterilizes surgical instruments, preparing scrub for cleaning of surgical site; reviews surgery documentation and verifies identification and procedure information; assists with veterinarian scrub- and gown-in as needed; calculates and administers sedation, premedication and induction medications; intubates patient with endotracheal tube; monitors heart rate, gum color and respiration; cleans and tattoos patient after surgery; monitors patient during recovery. Performs administrative tasks including, but not limited to: maintaining inventory of products and supplies used in veterinary services by conducting routine inventory of all products used in Vet Services and compiling and preparing orders of needed supplies; confers with vendors as needed; receives items and checks for accuracy and proper invoicing; designs/drafts various forms for use by Vet Services as well as other areas of CCAS (ex: exam forms, inventory logs, anesthesia forms, etc.); consults with other CCAS staff members on equipment or software that may be needed for Vet Services (ex: inventory software, diagnostic equipment etc.); prepares and maintains federally mandated drug records; inputs data from veterinarian's written notes/exam sheets, surgery notes and drug logs into the database under each individual patient; maintains records on controlled substances used in Vet services; maintains monthly spays/neuter counts in spreadsheet; prepares and maintains records for K9 unit dogs; updates medications spreadsheets; completes and maintains copies of Health certificates; oversees the routine maintenance of equipment used in Vet Services; calls in prescriptions for adopted animals. Prepares the radiograph machine for use and performs radiography; takes radiographs required by the veterinarian(s); sends digital images to others as needed. Provides basic medical care when a veterinarian is not available including, but not limited to: giving advice on transporting ill or injured animals to local veterinary office(s) for care versus waiting for CCAS veterinarian to be available; communicates with CCAS veterinarian about ill or injured animals and provides basic assessment information and care as directed by veterinarian; follows established protocols when CCAS veterinarian is not available for consultation. Assists with the training of Animal Services officers including, but not limited to: providing training in the drawing of blood from animals, calculating drugs and injecting for humane euthanasia, providing basic first aid, and conducting initial health assessments. Provides communication within CCAS as well as the local veterinary community and the public including, but not limited to: serving as the first, and sometimes only, contact between Vet Services and the community at large by answering questions and giving information to adopters, rescuers, and veterinary clinics on the phone, by email, and in person; attends public relations events, both at the shelter facility and off site. Performs other related duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications High School Diploma required; Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology preferred; supplemented by two years of experience in animal care. Preferred Qualifications Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology or related Valid Veterinary Technician license