Veterinary Technician

Under the general direction of the Shelter Veterinarian and Director, the Veterinary Technician will be responsible for medical and daily care of shelter animals. They will assist the Veterinarian as needed both in surgery and with shelter medicine responsibilities, as well as ensuring that the medical department and equipment is clean and in good working order. Additionally, they will monitor the health of the animals in the shelter, provide care and treatment to sick and injured animals, and prepare animals for veterinary care and spay/neuter and performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Monitoring the health of the animals on an ongoing basis and rapidly identifying any

health problems or conditions and immediately reporting it to the veterinarian or

shelter director

•  Providing treatment and care for animals including vaccinations, microchips,

 examinations, performance of medical treatments (i.e., bandaging, medicating, nail

 clipping, ear cleaning etc.) and documenting appropriately.

•  Assisting with maintaining the controlled drug log
•  Maintaining patient records by accurately recording treatments and test results on

 patient charts and other medical records.

•  Assist the veterinarian with patient exams by providing proper animal restraint,

 obtaining a medical history from the client and filling medications.

•  Assisting with pre-medication, administration and preparing animals for surgery.
•  Monitoring patients during surgery and post-surgery.
•  Assisting the veterinarian in animal handling and general treatment.
•  General care of hospitalized animals and shelter environment
•  Phlebotomy, including placing IVC.
•  Wrapping and autoclaving surgical packs correctly
•  Preparing surgery packs and cleaning surgical equipment
•  Maintaining and inventory of medications
•  Communicating with shelter staff concerning the health of an animal.
•  Provide accurate information and friendly professional service to the public by handling the drop offs and check out for community surgery.
• Performs health checks on shelter animals, starts medical treatment, if needed, directed by the veterinarian, director and/or previously established protocols

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:   

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability necessary.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Licensure or certification as an RVT, LVT or CVT  
• Two (2) years of verifiable veterinary experience working in an animal shelter or private practice.  This includes recent experience within the last year in soft tissue surgery; examples include laceration repair, mass removal, spay/neuter surgery.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be 18 years of age or older.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license (Class C) and a satisfactory motor vehicle record (MVR) if assigned job duties requiring the use of a vehicle.
• Possession of RVT, LVT or CVT credentials. Must maintain valid credentials while employed.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of veterinary medicine and the diseases, treatment, prevention, control, and care of animals, particularly dogs and cats; city, state and federal animal health laws and regulations governing the impounding, releasing and euthanasia of animals; humane methods of caring for and physically restraining domestic and wild animals. Ability to: establish medical standards and procedures to assure the maintenance of healthy, safe and sanitary facilities; establish and maintain harmonious and effective relationships with co-workers, volunteers and the public; advise the public and department employees on veterinary medical matters; communicate effectively orally and in writing.

• Valid and in good standing licensure within the state of Georgia
• Strong interpersonal skills. The ideal person for this job would be a team player, personable, professional, upbeat, and energetic, takes initiative, uses tact and diplomacy.
• Knowledge of principles, theories and practices of veterinary medicine and science. Knowledge of the procedures used for receiving, treating, and scheduling patients, for ordering medical supplies, and requesting laboratory tests.
• Ability to read and interpret documents, including federal and state regulations, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals, and medical texts.
• Ability to write reports, correspondence and medical records that meet professional standards.
• Work requires continual attention to detail. Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to prioritize duties and juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Work with minimal supervision and direction
• Knowledge of animal breeds, behaviors, and handling
• Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Chemistry — Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
• Must have active listening, critical thinking, complex problem solving, time management, judgment, and decision-making skills.
• Verbal communication — Talk to others to convey information effectively.
• Strong computer skills to obtain and enter client information, order laboratory and diagnostic tests, and receive and send messages.
• Commitment to practicing the highest standard of medicine, upholding the veterinary code of ethics.
• Commitment to the mission of Douglas County Animal Services
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Salary: $19.6274 hourly, NO BENEFITS 

Employment Opportunities (Section 13-50)

“The recruitment, selection, appointment and promotion of employees shall be in such a manner as to promote equal employment for all persons without regard to race, age, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, national origin, physical handicap or political affiliation or sexual preference.”