Shelter Veterinary Technician

Animal Rescue League of Berks County

Job Description

Under the direction of the Shelter Veterinarian, Medical Lead and Manager, performs advanced provision of medical care of animals in the shelter and foster. Administers medications, triage incoming animals, performs laboratory tests, and performs euthanasia. Works well independently and under pressure but as part of a team to ensure timely, quality medical care for all animals in the shelter.
Examples of Duties and Responsibilities:
• Low stress handling, restraint and triage all animals entering the shelter
• Oversee the general medical procedures for sheltered animals according to established protocols
• Successfully performs intake examinations, including accurately aging, sexing, and breed identification
• Gives direction on special feeding for individual animals as circumstances dictate
• Assigns medications, as stated in our protocols, and follows up with treatment logs daily
• Administers vaccines, injections, medications and microchips per protocols
• Input and review detailed treatment notes, ensuring completeness and accuracy
• Maintains a high level of communication with leads, supervisors and veterinarians to keep them abreast of the conditions of all sheltered animals
• Communicates effectively with all departments to coordinate medical care and flow
• Sets and communicates to staff specific treatments and medication schedules for individual animals
• Maintain inventory of medical supplies and communicate needs proactively
• Contribute input regarding rounds; provide patient updates and recommendations
• Reviews animal records daily to ensure that all medical or treatment records are up to date and accurate
• Trains staff in technical skills as related to humane animal restraining and medicating/treating sheltered animals
• Pursue advanced trainings and certification as assigned and relevant to shelter medicine
• Schedules vet visits either in our surgery center or with our outsourced Vet partners
• Assists with adoptions when medical information is needed
• Assists with the medical care of animals in our foster program
• Medicate orally, SQ and IM as directed by the Veterinarian
• Collect appropriate samples and perform basic laboratory tests, including decapitation for rabies testing
• Performs Euthanasia
• Properly record all drug activity, DEA logs, and statistics, as required by law and ARL’s policy
• Maintain accurate and complete medical records, including computer data entry and documentation of cruelty cases
• Cleaning of medical areas, equipment, kennels and cages as needed
• Maintain medical equipment
• Other job duties as assigned

This is a full time job