Veterinary Technician - Bowman Road Animal Clinic - PetVet Care Centers

Position Overview:

Bowman Road Animal Clinic's Veterinary Technician supports hospital operations by providing dedicated quality veterinary care and exceptional service to our patients and clients. Responsibilities include providing patient care by determining animal requirements, diagnostic procedures, assisting during surgery and operations, providing nursing care, assisting with feeding and caring for patients, maintaining medical supplies and equipment, overseeing triage and discharging patients, and maintaining patient medical records.

Essential Position Functions:

• Determine animal requirements by reviewing care plans and records, completing laboratory tests and studies, and diagnostic imaging.
• Care for patients by taking vital signs, collecting samples, administering medications, drugs, and vaccines, and bandaging and wrapping wounds.
• Support patient examinations and operations by assembling required supplies and instruments, securing and bringing patients to examination rooms, and restraining patients; aids as directed by the veterinarian.
• Provide excellent pet care by applying full knowledge of anatomy, physiology, disease processes, pharmacology, specialized equipment usage, and specialized drug administration.
• Obtain and verify medications.
• Ensure that patients have food and water, clean their rooms, cages, and equipment, and observe them for clinical signs of disease.
• As directed, fill prescriptions and administer medications, including properly documenting, logging, and securing controlled drugs.
• Maintain a safe, secure, healthy, and humane environment by sterilizing and wrapping instruments, sanitizing and disinfecting holding and operating areas, storing sterile supplies, verifying shelf life, following standards and procedures, and in compliance with applicable legal regulations.
• Maintain medical records by documenting patients' conditions, reactions, and changes; update the database accurately and timely.
• As directed by the veterinarian, communicate with the pet owner about the patient's status.
• Maintain equipment by following operating instructions, troubleshooting breakdowns, maintaining equipment supplies, performing preventive maintenance, and calling for repairs.
• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities and reading professional journals.
• Release pets to their owners as directed. Ensure that every animal released is clean and properly groomed before its release.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Manager or practice.

Additional Position Functions:

Assignment to the specialty medical areas listed below may require the following additional job functions:

Dentistry

• Perform dental cleanings, polishing, and intraoral radiographs.
• Perform nerve blocks.
• Assist with dental procedures and oral surgery.

Dermatology

• Prepare and administer medications, intravenously, orally, and topically.
• Perform ear cleanings and minor flushes.
• Obtain skin scrapes and tape samples.
• Prepare skin and ear cytology.
• Induce and monitor anesthesia.
• Place intravenous catheters.

Emergency

• Assist veterinarians with a variety of emergency procedures and critical care situations.
• Monitor vitals, place catheters, and take x-rays.
• Clean wounds and apply casts or bandages.
• Give injections and take blood samples.

Imaging

• Assist veterinarians with various diagnostic imaging modalities, including digital radiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, etc.

Integrative

• Maintain logs of pet diagnoses, treatments, and follow-up results so veterinarians can track responses to integrative care.

Neurology

• Perform technical procedures, including anesthesia support and monitoring, intravenous catheter placement, venipuncture, IV injections, wound management, drug administration assistance, bandage care, surgery support, and various routine diagnostic Electromyography (EMG) testing.

Oncology

• Assist veterinarians with pet assessment, diagnostics, treatments, and procedures.
• Provide empathy, comfort, and unparalleled nursing care to all pets and serve as a strong pet advocate during their hospitalization.
• Provide the owner with extensive communication and education on various oncology disease processes.

Ophthalmology

• Assist veterinarians with ocular exams.
• Perform and/or assist with diagnostic testing (Schirmer Tear Testing, Tonometry, Ocular Ultrasounds, Electroretinogram testing, etc.).

Radiology

• Assist veterinarians with providing high-quality diagnostic imaging services to in-patient, out-patient, surgical, and emergency pets.

Surgery

• Provide extensive surgical assistance by preparing pets, scrubbing, shaving, acting as a surgical nurse, and operating specific surgical equipment and supplies.

Competencies:

• Care and Compassion: Displays a desire to build rapport and provide personal assistance and emotional support.
• Team Orientation: Works cooperatively with the team to address tasks and accomplish goals.
• Dependability: Demonstrates responsibility in completing tasks and accomplishing goals.
• Initiative: Proactively seeks to address and follow through on work activities.
• Flexibility and Multi-Tasking: Adapts quickly to changing demands and manages multiple priorities effectively.
• Communication: Uses effective and appropriate methods of interacting with others.
• Customer Services: Displays a desire to provide outstanding service and exceed customer expectations.
• Organization and Attention to Detail: Monitors and reviews information thoroughly and maintains an organized document system.
• Adherence to Rules and Instructions: Consistently follows standard procedures.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Two or more years of experience with veterinary appointments, surgeries, and nursing care for hospitalized and critical patients.
• Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), or the Licensed Veterinary Medical Technician (LVMT) preferred or as required by the State.
• Will consider an equivalent combination of education, certification, training, and/or experience.

Position Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

• Knowledge of the preparation, monitoring, and recovery of pets receiving surgery and basic pet nursing.
• Ability to demonstrate and follow correct procedures in catheter placement, phlebotomy, emergency medicine, and digital radiology.
• Understand and limit the potential exposure to bites, scratches, and potential injuries.
• Able to restrain patients according to standard procedures.
• Fill prescriptions and monitor sedation procedures as directed by the veterinarian.
• Ability to work with or around sick animals, potentially hazardous materials, cleaning chemicals, gas anesthetics, zoonotic diseases, and unpleasant odors.
• Display confidence and reassurance when dealing with pets experiencing severe stress, illness, or pain.
• Communicate and approach job duties professionally and maturely.
• Must be flexible with scheduling and able to work some weekends and holidays.
• This strenuous job requires a lot of lifting, cleaning, and constant motion.
• Depending on the functional area of the assignment, tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation, extended periods of time standing, and/or extended periods of time walking.
• It may include climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.
• Some tasks involve the periodic performance of moderately physically demanding work, usually lifting or carrying moderately heavy animals (up to 50 pounds).
• Answer phones and perform other duties as needed by the hospital.
• Other duties and responsibilities are as assigned by the manager or practice.

Additional Information:

The list of essential and additional functions outlined in this job description is intended to represent the tasks performed within this position. The omission of any job function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are required for the position.