Veterinary Technician

Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Veterinary Technician staff at Humane Animal Rescue have a wide variety of responsibilities to ensure the medical care of both the animals in the shelter, and the owned animals seen through our Wellness Clinic. Every Vet Tech is required to rotate through all the areas of the shelter, including, but not limited to, surgery, kennel, isolation, clinic and reception. 

Schedule:

Variable work schedule including evenings and weekends. Option to work four ten hour schedules.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

General:

• Uphold the mission of Humane Animal Rescue throughout all responsibilities of the position.
• Understand and support the Open-Door Philosophy of Humane Animal Rescue.
• Maintains positive relationships with co-workers, managers, directors, clients, and stakeholders.
• Have open availability with ability to work evenings and weekends as scheduled.
• Ability to work some holidays as scheduled.
• Ability to learn multiple record keeping software programs.
• Can effectively restrain pets even when large or difficult.
• Understands all common vaccinations and vaccination protocols and can explain to clients and adopters
• Ability to work independently in a fast paced environment.
• Ability to recognize signs of illness or injury; ability to determine/triage priority of veterinary care 
• Ability to perform euthanasia on medically and behaviorally compromised animals
• Understands the importance of a clean and orderly facility, does not hesitate to clean or organize as part of a normal job duty.
• Can handle client’s medical questions with confidence and direct to veterinarians when appropriate.
• Maintains positive, cooperative relationships with other employees.
• Understands usage, dosage, and common side effects for commonly used prescription drugs.
• Ability to properly log the usage and correctly handle controlled substances.
• Can maintain an appropriate inventory of all medical supplies.
• Ability to frequently check work-provided email.

Kennel:

• Triage all incoming kennel animals, which includes a full physical exam, administer vaccinations and preventions, and run necessary diagnostics according to pre-established guidelines, without direct veterinarian supervision.
• Perform humane euthanasia for shelter and public pets without direct veterinarian supervision. 
• Ability to recognize signs of injury or disease in a wide array of species. 
• Provide medications to animals currently in the kennel.
• Fill prescriptions for animals being adopted.
• Communicate common medical issues with potential adopters.
• Can explain necessary follow up and homecare instructions.
• Can perform clinical laboratory procedures such as fecal flotation exams, heartworm checks, skin scrapings, urinalysis, and fungal cultures; draws blood for laboratory analysis; maintains file of lab test results and ensures that test results are recorded in patient records.
• Read and understand medical records from other facilities and use that information to determine next steps in proper care of the animal.
• Can effectively position for and take radiographs.

Surgery:

• Can assist the veterinarian in medical, surgical and dental procedures; prepares patients for surgery; administers anesthesia; monitors patients during surgery and recovery; administers fluids.
• Can properly care for all surgical materials; keep the operating room properly stocked and prepared for surgery.
• Properly wrap and sterilize surgical packs, and properly identify the surgical instruments.
• Develop a daily flow of animals receiving surgery in order to maximize the amount of surgeries done that day.
• Input surgical notes into the proper computer system.

Clinic Tech and Clinic Desk:

• Can effectively communicate with clients over the telephone regarding our Veterinary Medical Center. Must have the ability to answer general questions in a timely fashion, schedule appointments, make reminder calls and check out clients after their appointment is complete.
• Room clients and get a history on the pet.
• Educate clients on a wide array of pet ownership responsibilities. 
• Assist the veterinarian with the exam and vaccination of the animal.
• Perform diagnostics as requested by the veterinarian. 

Isolation:

• Complete all husbandry of animals housed in isolation.
• Following the URI and Kennel Cough Protocols, start animals on proper medication and ensure they receive that medication daily.
• Monitor and record symptoms of isolated animals.
• Provide enrichment for animal in isolation.
• Keep the isolation area cleaned and stocked with supplies.

Other:

• Assist the veterinarian with vet checks on shelter animals, which includes entering the records into computer software.
• Discharge surgery patients and answer adopter’s and client’s questions.
• Participate in department-wide and shelter-wide training seminars.
• Provide coverage for staff call-offs and vacations.
• Train new staff and/or students in an externship. 
• Other duties as assigned by management.

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee could be exposed to hazards associated with aggressive animals; hazards associated with infected animals and controlled substances; exposure to unpleasant odors and noises; exposure to bites, scratches and animal wastes; possible exposure to contagious diseases. The employee will primarily be working in the shelter environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands:

Incumbent may be exposed to hazards associated with infected animals and controlled substances; exposure to unpleasant odors and noises; exposure to bites, scratches, and animal wastes; and possible exposure to contagious diseases. Individual will be required to lift, push, pull, and carry up to fifty (50) pounds. Must be able to stand for 6 or more hours. Must be able to read, see, hear, and speak. Incumbent will be required to use a computer with keyboard, telephone, or handheld mobile device for extended periods of time, and office machinery as needed. This description is representative of the requirements that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel:

This position will require working out of HARP’s North Shore and/or East End locations.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Veterinary Technician Certification (CVT) desirable but not required.
• Two (2) year Veterinary Technician degree or equivalent/relevant experience 
• Experienced in the teamwork approach and works well with all levels of team members.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Work requires lifting and carrying animals (will be assisted by other staff members in lifting animals over 50 lbs.); walks or stands for extended periods or time; frequently works in a bent position.