Veterinary Technician

Job Summary  

Once trained, the ABC technician will care for surgical and wellness dog and cat patients, assist veterinarians and other technicians under supervision of a veterinarian, provide overall cleaning and care of the clinic, train co-workers to use the Fear Free Pets Program, use ABC's quality patient care protocols, and actively promote preventive vet care to benefit pets, families, and the community. 

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Working Relationships

Professional demeanor and cooperative relationships through the course of your work (co-workers, volunteers, pet owners and community partners). 

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Essential Job Functions

• Perform quality, efficient medical documentation and patient record flow

• Efficiently sedate, induce, and intubate patients

• Monitor patients under various stages of anesthesia with a clear understanding of abnormal conditions

• Communicate verbally and written in a clear, professional manner with co-workers, pet owners, trainees, volunteers, partners, and the public

• Communicate respectfully with co-workers and supervisors with focus on the tasks of providing care

• Accurately document and handle controlled substances for surgical patients

• Represent ABC in a professional and courteous manner at all times

• Follow the written and verbally communicated departmental standard operating procedures

• Assist pet owners and coworkers with patient progress visits

• Confidently register and discharge patients, including providing post-operative instructions in a competent, friendly manner

• Train future fellow Veterinary Technician staff to use ABC’s patient care protocols

• Respond appropriately during an emergency, including taking directions from the veterinarians and direct others during the event

• Professionally and appropriately handle medical questions from pet owners

• Effectively “team lead,” displaying a positive attitude and work ethic, while being a motivating force for other staff members

• Perform job functions of a Veterinary Vaccination Team Technician (ex: administering vaccinations, tests, medications and treatment as directed).

• Other duties, as assigned by supervisor

 

Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Experience is preferred, but is not required. We hire for workplace fit and train for technical skills. The candidate should be motivated to support the mission, enthusiastic self-starter with professional behavior.  The applicant should be curious, optimistic, easy to work with, eager to help people and animals, and able to multitask.

 

Client Education

• Must be able to learn and understand basic veterinary medical concepts, including (but not limited to) vaccination and heartworm disease protocols, surgery process, and anesthesia

• Must be able to communicate basic veterinary concepts to owners and be able to accurately share information relayed by a veterinarian

• Will be asked to take patient medical histories

• Will be asked to communicate with the pet owners on a daily basis in a professional, clear manner

 

Animal Handling

• Must become proficient at animal restraint for medical care procedures including using Fear Free Pets training techniques

• Will be asked to handle an average of 35+ dogs or cats per day

• Must be able to learn characteristics of animal behavior (for example: be able to identify fearful or aggressive behavior) and follow clinic guidelines for handling that protects the safety and health of yourself, the animal, and others.

• Must be able to learn and use appropriate safety procedures and equipment for frightened or aggressive animals to avoid injury.

• Must have excellent reflexes.

• Should be able to identify your own limitations in situations and be willing to ask for help

 

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to work standing or sitting for 8 or more hours

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds repeatedly throughout the day with help

• Must be able to bend and kneel repeatedly

• Must be able to see fine detail in a variety of situations

• Must have good hearing, including ability to distinguish changes in pitch

• Must have reasonable degree of agility to move through cramped areas 

• Must have acceptable sense of touch and smell

• Must have good range of motion in joints especially wrist, knees, elbows

• Must have good range of motion in your back for twisting, bending, etc.  

• Must be able to work in potentially extreme environmental temperatures

• Must have acceptable sense of balance

• Must be able to work and reach on hands and knees

• Must be able to use a ladder and/or step stool

• Must possess excellent hand-eye coordination

• Must possess an acceptable degree of dexterity in hands and fingers

• Must have good vision, including peripheral vision, fine detail, distance, depth perception, and ability to focus

 

Emotional and Mental Requirements

• Ability to recognize a need for assistance and comfortably ask for help and provide the same for others

• Must be able to work under fast-paced conditions and work efficiently and effectively under those conditions

• Must be able to respond quickly to a variety of medical situations (with training)

• Must be able to cope with death due to surgical, vaccination complication, or owner-requested euthanasia

• Ability to rapidly and accurately process information

• Ability to delegate tasks to co-workers as appropriate

• Ability to control instincts (ex:  do not release animal unsafely without warning co-worker).

• Ability to cope with a frustrating situation and remain calm to come to resolution that works for all

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team and avoid gossip or inappropriate topics

 

Potential and Prolonged Exposures

• Prolonged exposure to various solutions that are located in the SDS file

• Prolonged exposure to isopropanol, hydrogen peroxide, quaternary ammonium cleaners, bleach, formalin and other solutions.

• Potential/prolonged exposure to isoflurane gas

• Prolonged exposure to pressurized steam

• Potential exposure to sharps including needles and surgical blades

• Exposure to dog and cat dander and other allergens

• Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases and parasites (including but not limited to intestinal worms, rabies, leptospirosis, bartonellosis, conjunctivitis).

 

Experience

• Preferred, but not required: current registered Veterinary Technician, with a license to practice in Texas.  Two or more years of experience in a veterinary clinic, veterinary hospital, and/or animal rescue/shelter or animal care and control department.

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Work Environment

• The offices and operations of a high volume spay/neuter clinic are often quite busy. This position is scheduled for 4 days per week, usually Monday through Friday with some Saturdays. Can include working some types of holidays or overtime depending on clinic staffing needs to provide services for the community. The candidate must be flexible with schedule changes and short notice overtime requests.