Veterinary Technician/Veterinary Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

Provides animal care by determining animal requirements; conducting examinations and diagnostic procedures; assisting during operations; feeding and caring for animals; maintaining supplies and equipment; maintaining records. Duties: * Determines animal requirements by conducting examinations and interviews; reviewing care plans and records; completing laboratory tests and studies, and diagnostic imaging. * Cares for animals by taking vital signs; collecting samples; administering medications, drugs, and vaccines; bandaging and wrapping wounds; performing hydrotherapy, physical and inhalation therapies. * Supports animal examinations by assembling required supplies and instruments; securing and bringing animals to examination room; restraining animals; providing assistance as directed; explaining animal's status to owner. * Supports operations by assembling required supplies and instruments; setting-up surgery table instruments; restraining animals; completing local/regional anesthesia; operating and monitoring anesthetic machines; hooking-up ECG monitors; preparing surgical site; placing catheters; obtaining blood gases; cleaning-up post-surgical site; maintaining sterile conditions; obtaining and verifying medications. * Maintains animals by feeding and watering animals; cleaning animals' rooms, cages, and equipment; changing cages; observing for clinical signs of disease. * Maintains 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; complying with legal regulations. * Maintains animal records by documenting animal conditions, reactions, and changes; updating database. * Maintains equipment by following operating instructions; troubleshooting breakdowns; maintaining equipment supplies; performing preventive maintenance; calling for repairs. * Keeps supplies ready by inventorying stock; placing orders; verifying receipt. * Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional journals. * Enhances service reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.