Veterinary Technician

Job Description

The purpose of this job is to address quality of life concerns for the citizens of Montgomery County by providing a safe and healthy environment and education as related to animal control and welfare.

Responsibilities

Department: Animal Control

Pay Grade : 80, Non-Exempt

Starting hourly rate : $24.45

Minimum Experience:

One (1) to three (3) years of experience in a shelter or veterinary hospital preferred.

Minimum Education:

Completion of a two-year American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program from a community college, college or university.

Certifications, Licenses:

• A pre-employment criminal background check is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a State of Tennessee Certified Euthanasia License.
• Ability to successfully complete a State of Tennessee Certified Euthanasia Certification.
• Veterinary Technician License through the State of Tennessee and/or ability to obtain license through the State of Tennessee within six (6) months of employment.

The purpose of this job is to address quality of life concerns for the citizens of Montgomery County by providing a safe and healthy environment and education as related to animal control and welfare.


GENERAL POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following duties are normal for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.

• Responsible for ensuring that adequate supplies are available and supply needs are communicated in accordance with established procedures.
• Assist Shelter Veterinarian in performance of high volume spay/neuter surgeries as well as community health and wellness clinics, rabies clinics and microchipping clinics.
• Responsible for the inventory, cataloging, ordering and distribution of schedule class drugs used for the performance of surgeries, euthanasia, and medicating of animals in care of MCACC.
• Responsible for pre-operation surgery prep of animals for spay/neuter or other surgeries to include pre-anesthetic administration, monitoring of vital signs, preparing and sterilizing surgical instruments and assisting the post operative recovery of patients.
• Accurately perform diagnostic tests as requested by the Shelter Veterinarian or Kennel Manager. These test include but are not limited to, fecal flotation, fecal smears, ELISA tests, Parvovirus, Heartworm, FeLV/FIV, TiterChek tests, urinalyses, skin scrapes, and Woods lamp evaluations.
• Collect samples for diagnostic testing, including blood draws, feces, and urine collection, etc.
• Must keep respective work areas clean and disinfected at all times.
• Utilize Shelter database software systems to enter information about diagnoses, vaccinations, and medications for each animal.
• Monitor animals in the shelter for signs of illness and report to the veterinarian for further instruction.
• Collaborate with shelter staff to ensure animals are properly cared for during their time at MCACC.
• Work in coordination with shelter staff to ensure transport of animals are properly prepared and documented.
• Ensure foster animal parents receive medications in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with Adoption and Animal Care departments to ensure animals in need of surgery (Spay/Neuter, other as needed) are identified and appropriate paperwork is completed.
• Other duties as assigned including but not limited to assisting foster parents and adopters, assisting in kennel cleaning when necessary as well as behavior assessments.
• Other duties as assigned.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no fiscal responsibilities.


COUNTY ORGANIZATION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Represent the Department and City to other City staff and members of the public.
• Provide quality customer service to individuals needing directions or assistance.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIPS:

Works under the guidance and supervision of the department Director. Supervises Animal Control Officers on assigned shift.

Qualifications

JOB QUALIFICATIONS - KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• County and State animal control laws, regulations and procedures.
• Principles and practices for capturing and handling a variety of wild and domestic animals.
• Specialized animal control equipment and techniques.
• Animal science and behavior, also as it relates to an Animal Shelter/Control environment.
• Computer software consistent for this position.
• Current office practices and procedures.
• The County and Department's operating requirements, policies, procedures, and practices; and local, State, and Federal regulations related to department programs and operations.
• Management and supervisory practices & principles, including the ability to make final employment recommendations, preparing performance evaluations, managing time off, and maintaining personnel records.

Skill in:

• Analyzing complex administrative information and issues, defining problems and evaluating alternatives, and recommending methods, procedures, and techniques for resolution of issues.
• Organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Applying judgment and discretion in resolving problems and interpreting policies and regulations.

Ability to:

• Perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits requiring minimal direction and supervision.
• Adapt and take control of situations, dictating subordinate activities in a responsible manner.
• Instruct and train in methods and procedures.
• Organize, assign, and modify the work assignment of others, and (re)-establish priorities to meet deadlines.
• Set work priorities and train, direct, motivate, and evaluate the work of assigned staff.
• Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff.
• Establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
• Interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Perform mathematical calculations required of this position.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Analyze facts and to exercise sound judgment in arriving at conclusions.
• Think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports, and conversations, within State and Federal statutes.
• Work the allocated hours of the position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in the field and an animal shelter setting requiring mobility and physical activity. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to noisy. Level of responsibility subjects the incumbent to moderate stress due to interruptions.


PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS/ACTIVITIES:

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.
• Vocal communication and normal hearing are required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Acceptable verbal and conversation skills to effectively communicate with others via the phone, at meetings and to greet and assist visitors.
• Use and normal maintenance of office machines, (copier, computer, printer, etc.).
• Ability to recognize occupational hazards in work activities and take safety precautions.
• Work requires operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surrounding and activities. This may involve driving in inclement weather conditions.
• Work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions.
• Work requires wearing specialized personal protective equipment.
• May be subject to animal attacks and infectious diseases carried by animals.
• Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities.

The intent of this position description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and is not a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may also be assigned job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.


Montgomery County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the requirements of the Civil Rights Act of 1966 (Section 1981) and 1964 (Title VI, VII,) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Equal Pay Act (EPA) and the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA).

About Us

Montgomery County, Tennessee, is home to Clarksville, the state's fifth-largest city. Located just 40 miles from Nashville and within a day's drive of most major U.S. cities. The area offers a vibrant mix of history, innovation, and outdoor recreation with over 30 parks and trails like the scenic Clarksville Greenway.

Regularly named one of Money Magazine's, "Best Places to Live," the community features a low cost of living, a growing downtown, and strong environmental initiatives, including new solar farms.

Home to Fort Campbell, Austin Peay State University, and major employers like Google, LG, Hankook, and Amazon, Montgomery County is a hub of opportunity. The County Government operates 40+ departments and offers excellent benefits, including TCRS retirement plans.

Join us and see why Montgomery County is a top choice for living and working in Middle Tennessee.