Veterinary Technician II

Veterinary Technician II

Provide veterinary medical and surgical nursing skills with a focus on shelter medicine. Veterinary technicians enhance the lives of animals at the Nebraska Humane Society (NHS) by partnering with fellow colleagues to prepare animals for adoption and bring justice to victims of cruelty. Alleviate suffering by rotating one day per week through euthanasia services for shelter animals. Periodic rotation through the NHS Spay & Neuter Center occurs on an as need basis.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

• Perform medication rounds for shelter animals
• Administer prescribed pain medications, antibiotics, antiparasitics and vaccines
• Relieve animal suffering and comfort the sick
• Provide supplemental feeding to puppies and kittens too young for adoption
• Assist NHS veterinarians in disease surveillance
• Collect specimens and perform diagnostics as prescribed by NHS veterinarians common diagnostics include:
• Digital radiographs
• Fecal exams by centrifugation
• Skin scrapes and cytology
• In-house CBC and chemistry panels
• DTMs, Wood's Lamp and trichograms
• Heartworm, FeLV and FIV tests
• UAs
• Parvo tests
• Submit various diagnostics to off-site laboratories
• Provide enrichment and stress reduction for animals through humane handling
• Perform medical rounds with NHS veterinarians
• Ensure prompt and accurate medical record updates
• Assist in examination of shelter animals
• Administer pre-medication, induce anesthesia and intubate surgical patients
• Direct other staff and volunteers on a rotational basis as lead anesthetist
• Monitor anesthetized patients
• Assist in animal emergency triage and resuscitation
• Place IV catheters
• Prepare animals for surgery
• Perform dental cleaning and non-surgical extraction as allowed for by state regulations
• Recover anesthesia patients with the assistance of trained volunteers
• Handle and record controlled substances for large volumes of surgical patients
• Assist in training new staff members, department volunteers, veterinary students and interns
• Collaborate with personnel from other NHS departments
• Perform safe and humane euthanasia when necessary on a limited basis in AMD
• Act as a resource for adopters answering pre and post adoption medical questions
• Maintain clean treatment, housing and examination areas
• Periodically review, provide input and adhere to Animal Medical Department and shelter protocols
• Assist in the cleaning and sterilization of surgical equipment
• Perform safe and humane euthanasia of domestic and wild animals with a trained partner one day per week
• Enter and verify controlled substance logs digital and handwritten
• Place remains of deceased animals in crematorium for general cremation
• Perform safe and humane euthanasia when necessary on limited basis in Animal Medical Department
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Operations Manager or veterinarian

Position qualifications include:

Required:

• Minimum: Associate of Applied Science Degree in Veterinary Technology from an accredited program
• Must be a licensed veterinary technician in the state of Nebraska
• Must adhere to applicable state and federal laws governing the practice of veterinary medicine
• Display affection and compassion for animals and concern for their welfare
• Must adhere to highest ethical standards; possess trustworthiness, exercise maturity and sound independent judgment while maintaining a professional manner and personal appearance
• Ability to clearly communicate verbally and in writing
• Must have valid driver's license with acceptable driving record and be able to provide proof of vehicle insurance
• Be comfortable and skilled working with a culturally diverse staff and community
• Must be considerate, respectful and display a helpful demeanor to all employees, volunteers and customers
• Must be able to work cordially, safely and efficiently in face-paced, stressful conditions
• Must possess the ability to cope with loss of animal life from illness, injury and euthanasia
• Must be able to manage the emotional aspect of end of life services and humane euthanasia, and support employees in high-emotion circumstances
• Must exhibit the organization core values of compassion for all animals, respect and dignity for all, strive for excellence and teamwork
• Ability to safely and humanely handle animals
• Ability to respectfully give and receive feedback
• Ability to work independently and part of a team
• Ability to work in close proximity of others

Desired:

• One year veterinary technical experience preferred
• Previous experience in a shelter and/or high volume spay/neuter
• Familiarity with Microsoft operating systems and computer literate in Microsoft Office

Work conditions:

• Minimum 38 hours per week; may periodically exceed 40 hrs. One to two holiday shifts are required per year.
• The noise level in the office environment is usually quiet, though barking or whining of animals may be escalated at certain times in certain areas of the building.
• High exposure to animals whose reactions to the shelter environment cannot be predicted.
• Temperatures in the shelter environment are varied, though usually moderate, and dependent on the season.
• Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases and hazardous chemicals.
• Ability to work around animals without severe allergic reactions.

Physical requirements:

Physical Demand - Occasionally - Frequently - Constantly

Walking - X

Bending - X

Standing - X

Sitting - X

Driving - X

Lifting up to 50 lbs with or without assistance - X

Lifting over 50 lbs with assistance - X

Stretching/reaching - X

Distinguish smell/temperature - X

Hearing/Seeing - X

Exposure to hazardous materials - X

Climbing - X

Hand/finger dexterity - X

Stooping - X