Veterinary Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary:

This role will facilitate efficiency and safety for all procedures. They will support the veterinarians in many facets of providing top-level care for patients and be cohesive members of the veterinary care team. They ensure safety, cleanliness, and accuracy for best patient outcomes. The technician plays an essential role in delivering care and monitoring patients after hours. 

Principal Duties and Accountabilities:

• Support veterinarians during lameness exams, emergencies, and procedures
• Assist with radiography, ultrasound, and endoscopy procedures
• Prepare, operate, and maintain diagnostic equipment in the field

Patient Care

• Safely handle and restrain equine patients independently for treatments, exams, appointments, and imaging procedures
• Follow detailed instructions for feeding and care of all patients
• Monitor patient status during procedures and treatments
• Obtain accurate vitals on all patients
• Perform blood draws and venipuncture for IV catheters
• Perform proper catheter care and administration 
• Maintain clean stalls and patient areas
• Set up, administer, and record fluid therapy 

Surgery

• Set up surgical suite, assist during surgeries, clear and clean suite after procedures
• Use proper sterile technique to perform surgical scrubs
• Clean, maintain, sterilize instruments and equipment utilizing autoclave and gas sterilization
• Ensure surgical scrubs and drapes are laundered in a timely manner

Laboratory & Pharmacy

• Handle lab specimens appropriately
• Process and submit diagnostic samples
• Prepare and dispense medications accurately
• Run in-house bloodwork and report results accurately
• Maintain clean and well stocked treatment areas
• Report stock levels throughout facility to inventory manager

Ambulatory

• Manage inventory and maintain veterinary vehicles
• Ensure equipment readiness for daily farm calls
• Restrain horses of varying behaviors and training levels for in field procedures (dentals, lameness, reproductive work, x-rays, etc.)
• Professional customer communications both in person and via phone/email

Medical Records

• Accurately enter and manage patient records and treatment notes

On-Call

• Be available for overnight and weekend on-call shifts; a minimum of one night a week and one weekend a month. 
• Report to clinic within one hour of receiving notification
• Promptly respond by text or call to all work communications while on call

NOTE: This list presents only the principal duties of the position and is not intended to be comprehensive. Other duties and 

responsibilities may be assigned as dictated by the business needs and conditions. As an essential function of the job, good 

attendance is required.

Appearance:

 

All employees are required to dress in a manner acceptable for interacting with clients and other professionals. Your personal appearance and dress are expected to be appropriate to the professional nature of our business. The image of the clinic in the eyes of clients, vendors and the public is affected by the appearance of our employees.

• Neatly pressed scrub tops and bottoms, or scrub top or collared button down shirt with jeans without holes and frayed areas.
• No tank tops and plunging necklines.
• Clean boots or closed-toe shoes.
• Hats are acceptable as long as they do not promote a competitor.
• Hair is expected to be clean and neat in appearance. 

Qualifications, Educational Skills and Experience:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience:

• High School diploma or equivalent.

Language Skills:

• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from doctors, staff, and clients.

Knowledge:

• Basic understanding of core vaccinations, deworming schedules, common equine diseases and behaviors and basic lab tests is preferred but not required.
• Basic experience with and knowledge of horses and the equine culture.

Reasoning Ability:

• Ability to communicate empathy to clients regarding sensitive subjects related to their and/or their animal’s experience at AZE. Ability to work patiently with distressed, frustrated, and disgruntled clients. Ability to show compassion to clients in various emotional states.

Computer Skills:

• Internet, Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word and Excel preferred but not required.
• Above average typing skills (50 WPM).

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to act independently but also be able to take direction from others
• Multi-task in a busy environment
• Work well in a team setting and communicate in a professional manner with colleagues and clients
• Willingness to continually learn varied and advanced skills
• Be reliable, punctual and have the ability to adapt to various situations
• Anticipate the veterinarian’s needs
• Ability to work effectively in an environment with exposure to dirt, dust, pollen, chemicals, animal hair, and other particulates
• Flexibility with schedule to start early, stay late, perform on-call duty, weekend work as needed
• Ability to identify and communicate after-hours emergency situations to doctors and senior staff
• Must have equine experience and handling skills. (minimum of 2 years)

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to hold, jog, restrain animals. The employee is occasionally required to stand (for extended periods of time), walk, stoop, lift overhead and below, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. Need full range of motion to be able to interact with animals and provide care. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.