Licensed Veterinary Technician

SpokAnimal

Job Description

Position Description: Full Time Licensed Veterinary Technician

Reports to: Lead Veterinarian, Clinic Manager for Administration

Compensation: $30+ hourly, negotiable. Monday – Thursday 7:30am – 5:00pm

Primary Job Purpose

SpokAnimal’s Veterinary Clinic adheres to the ASPCA Spay-Neuter Alliance guidelines as high-quality, high-volume elective surgery model. A licensed veterinary technician is thusly direct support for staff veterinarians in all aspects of animal care – surgery, recovery, medical treatment, intensive hospitalization, and chronic case management. Responsible for carrying out diagnostic and medical treatment orders as indicated by staff veterinarians. Assists the veterinarian in performing health exams and surgical procedures. Engages with shelter leadership and staff to provide animal care support. This position will be physically demanding. This position requires a thorough understanding of high-density population infectious disease, zoonotic disease, surgical equipment and maintenance, aseptic technique and sterility, Pharmacologics, and sanitation. The successful candidate will be a highly motivated self-starter who excels in stressful situations. The ability to interact with the public, staff and rescue partners in a professional manner is essential. The Veterinary Technician supports the mission, goals and philosophy of the SpokAnimal.

Essential Duties (include but are not limited to):

1. Prepares clinic for surgical days ensuring a clean and organized recovery and surgical area.

2. Conduct a brief physical exam to ensure that animals are healthy prior to surgery. Animals will be weighed, and pre-anesthetics will be drawn. Retrieve marked animals and prepare them for surgery; including shaving, expressing bladder, inducing, and intubating. Handle animals in a safe way, and be able to restrain a variety of animals, including those experiencing high levels of stress.

3. Monitor animals during surgery to ensure proper anesthetic settings and normal physiological responses. Assists veterinarians and oversees veterinary assistants and clinic volunteers in post-surgery monitoring of patients through the recovery process (from table to kennel).

4. Maintain controlled substance and euthanasia logs per Lead Veterinarian and DEA regulations.

5. Serves as a lead worker, responsible for overseeing the work activities of veterinary assistants, volunteers and other staff. This candidate must be willing to engage positively and take advantage of shelter staff/clinic teammate teaching opportunities as they arise. Train new volunteers and staff. Participates in staff meetings to share ideas and suggestions and receive continuing education to improve the functioning of the clinic/shelter.

6. Performs routine diagnostic procedures and collection of samples under supervision of veterinarian; work is checked in progress for compliance with accepted procedures and standards.

7. Responsible for maintaining medical/surgical inventory of clinic and ordering supplies as needed.

8. Channels polite, positive compassionate and service-driven attitude in all staff and public interactions. Adheres to high standard of customer service when assisting the public, volunteers, staff, and rescue partner representatives.

9. Performs a variety of common, routine tasks in the care and treatment of animal patients and assists veterinarian with more complex, specialized procedures. Exercises independent technical judgment in routine cases. Treatments/procedures performed may include administering vaccines/medications, de-worming, flea and tick removal, FeLV/FIV & heartworm testing.

10. Performs euthanasia for the shelter animals or clinic animals as necessary.

Secondary Job Functions:

1. Coordinate with kennel staff to ensure that shelter animals are scheduled for surgery as needed/help check in public animals for surgery.

2. Coordinate shelter animal health care with lead veterinarian, shelter exam staff and shelter supervisor; monitors the health of the animals on an as-needed basis and confers with lead veterinarian about animals which may need medical treatment.

3. Conducts basic medical examinations (triage) of animals as needed. Determine health care needs and reports findings to the veterinarian/shelter.

4. Adheres to sanitization protocols - kennels will be sterilized using prescribed methods/cleaning compounds. Floors will be cleaned and all tabletops, operating tables, stands, etc. will be properly sanitized.

5. In case of an emergency or crisis situation (wildfire, flood, etc.), position is required to perform reasonable duties as assigned by immediate supervisor.

This is a representative sample--not to imply a complete listing of responsibilities and tasks.

Qualifications and Position Requirements:

Licensed Veterinary Technician certification in good standing in the state of Washington; prior experience in shelter environment or animal welfare is desired. Must pass WSP background check.

Knowledge of techniques/basic medical protocols for the treatment of animals; basic understanding of pharmaceuticals commonly used in the treatment of animals; sterile surgical procedures, proper methods to safely restrain animals and use of fear-free; methods of administering anesthetics, monitoring animals while under anesthesia, and monitoring animals' post-surgery. Ability to prioritize and handle emergency, stressful situations, handle a variety of animals safely and in a humane fashion; deal effectively and tactfully with the public; communicate effectively with supervisor, staff, volunteers and the public; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships and a team spirit with staff, volunteers, and with other shelter and animal groups.

Physical demands/working conditions:

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily activities. While performing medical procedures, the incumbent is working with needles and other sharp instruments. The incumbent is subject to exposure of animal body fluids, loud noises, infectious materials, and to substances such as disinfectants, pesticides and corrosive cleaners. The incumbent is frequently around animals that are agitated or injured that may attempt to bite or scratch. The need to lift and carry animals weighing 50 pounds also is required.

This is a full time job