Licensed Veterinary Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Position:              Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)

Department:         Shelter Medicine

Reports To:           Clinic Manager

Location:               3280 Chamblee Dunwoody RD Chamblee, GA 30341

Summary:

LifeLine Animal Project is committed to the care and welfare of pets and the people who love them.  The values we exhibit as an organization show the strength of our staff, our leadership and our community.  We expect all employees to exhibit LifeLine’s core values as we complete daily tasks, provide services to clients and care for our animals.

LifeLine Animal Project is seeking compassionate LVT. This challenging role plays a crucial part in the lifesaving efforts of the shelter and revolves around compassionate, detail oriented patient care, surgical prep and recovery, general herd health, veterinary assistance and staff training. This position offers veterinary assistants the unique opportunity to enhance their skills with the common goal of providing excellent lifesaving care. 

Essential Job Functions:

This represents a list of essential job duties.   Other duties or special projects may be assigned as needed.

Uphold the standards and values of LifeLine Animal Project:

Save Lives -- Build Community -- Be Exceptional Stewards --  Be Courageous -- 

Be Compassionate -- Take Responsibility -- Respect, Embrace and Celebrate Diversity

Communication and Collaboration:

• Greet clients and their pets; gather medical history and information prior to examination/treatment.
• Help strengthen and build a community of animal welfare advocates by supporting and engaging the volunteers who aid the clinic teams.
• Conduct efficient operations and exceptional customer service to all visitors, while respecting, embracing, and celebrating the diversity of individuals.
• Compassionately communicate discharge instructions and ensure owners have the information needed to care for their pet.
• Assist in creating training programs for the veterinary assistant team.

Clinical Responsibilities:

• Courageously perform basic first aid on injured animals.
• Assist the veterinarian with diagnostic exams and medical procedures to help drive LifeLine’s mission to save lives.
• Collect blood, urine, and stool samples as needed.
• Under veterinary supervision, administer vaccinations and medications for animals in the clinic and kennel.
• Feed clinic patients and clean cages in the clinic area; clean crates if needed.
• Complete data entry of medical information, procedures, and notes.
• Examine and prepare animals for surgery.
• Take responsibility to prep surgery space/postoperative recovery areas.
• Prepare samples for outside laboratory analysis.
• Read fecal tests and perform other routine animal diagnostic testing.
• Performs IV catheterization.
• Performs medically necessary euthanasias.
• Initiates emergency procedures as needed.
• Clean surgical instruments and prepare new surgical packs.

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Accurately maintain controlled substance logs.
• Maintain accurate medical records on paper and in PetPoint.
• Assist doctors in completing medical write ups, prepares medications for said medical write ups, and ensures that all information is entered into PetPoint with accuracy. 

General Responsibilities: 

• Be an exceptional steward by maintaining cleanliness and orderliness of medication and medical equipment.
• Completes and logs a minimum of 40 hours of training per year as assigned by manager/director.
• Perform all duties of the veterinary assistant team.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

• Compassion for animals and the people who love and care for them.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate with various departments, personnel, vendors, volunteers and outside agencies.
• Must have working knowledge of all medications.
• Must be proficient in animal restraint.
• Ability to serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity.
• Must be able to work under stressful conditions and work efficiently and effectively under those conditions.
• Ability to stand for extended periods (8 hours a day) and to bend and reach to perform assigned work activities.
• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. without assistance.
• Ability to interact with public and shelter dogs, cats and other animals including vicious, stray, sick or injured animals. Ability to handle seeing and dealing with animals that have been abused, neglected or treated cruelly.  
• Must be able to respond quickly to a variety of medical situations.
• Must be able to work weekends, holidays, and varying shifts based on shelter needs.
• Must have a means of travel that ensures prompt arrival for work shifts.
• Must pass a background check.

Education and/or Experience:

Minimum of high school diploma or equivalent. Licensed technicians must be graduates of an AVMA accredited training school or program.

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, employee may be exposed to unpleasant kennel smells.  May have to handle dogs and cats that are stray, injured, diseased or vicious.