Certified Veterinary Technician

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionJob SummaryAssists the veterinarian that examines pets and other animals for signs of illness or injury; Assists in procedures and surgeries and provides routine and specific care. Administers treatments under the supervision of the veterinarian.General KnowledgeKnow the range of services the practice provides and the species it treats.Be familiar with breeds and coat colors.Follow OSHA standards.Know and use standard medical and business abbreviations.Use proper medical terminology when speaking and writing.Understand the life cycle and pathology of common parasites (intestinal parasites, heartworms, fleas, ticks), and know the names of most common preventatives,recommended treatments, and diagnostics.Be familiar with zoonotic (contagious) diseases, including their prevention and steps to reduce oreliminatetransmission.Be familiar with infectious diseases, including their prevention and steps to reduce oreliminatetransmission.Know the policiesregardingprovision of veterinary care, treatment of stray animals, deposits for hospitalized patients, payments, Care Credit,Scratch Pay, andpet health insurance.Competently speak and write the English language.General AccountabilitiesAlways be in position and prepared to work by the start of each scheduled shift.Maintainaccuratepersonal time clock records.Enter and exit the practice through the employee entrance, but routinely visit the practice through the client entrances, picking up trash or feces from the parking lot, sidewalks, or entryways as needed.Maintain a professional appearance while at work, including clean and unwrinkled uniform,jacket,andappropriate shoes. Change clothing daily as necessary to look professional and avoid carrying odors.Smile andmaintainan even, friendly demeanor while on the job.Perform job tasks efficiently without rushing.Promote a positive attitude among team members.Handle stress and pressure with poise and tact.Be willing and available to stay late or through breaks, when needed, toassistwith emergency or critical-care patients.Show respect to clients, team members, and animals(alive ordeceased)at all times.Effectively promoterecommended healthcareto clients. Support fellow staff members when speaking to clients.Have the physical strength and ability to stand for an entire shift whenneeded andbe able to lift pets and objects weighing up to 50 pounds withoutassistance.Assistin lifting patients weighing more than 50 pounds.Maintain a list of tasks and engage in productive work during slow periods.Assistother employees as needed.Don’twait for co-workers to ask for yourassistance.Stock hospital supplies and pharmaceuticals as needed.Ensure low medical supplies are added to the depleted supplies/order list.Regularly check for outdated supplies. Remove and replace them as directed by management.Assistin hiring new team members byadvisingcandidates of openings,participatinginworkinginterviews to evaluate their personalities and skill levels, and providing your opinion to those hiring.Maintain constant vigilanceregardingopen doorways that could allow pets to escape from the facility.Maintain strict confidentialityregardingclients and patients for whom the practice provides veterinary services.Be prepared to handle any pet or facility emergency that may arise, including dog or cat fights, choking or strangulating animals, and facility fire or weather-related emergencies. Follow all contingency plans.Follow established opening and closing procedures to ensure the security of patients, staff, data, revenue, inventory, and facility.Followestablishedcleaning schedule, always ensuring your duties are complete before leaving for the day.Supervise and directtechnician assistants.Direct on-the-job training of technicaland technician assistants.Maintain your personal veterinary technician certificate, license, or registration.Participate in your performance appraisal,andasrequested, in those of others.Participate in all staff and training meetings.Keep up with new developments in the field by reading journals and attending continuing education. Attend off-site CE as required by the practice manager or asrequiredtomaintainyour license.Reception AccountabilitiesKnow phone functions, including hold, intercom, transfer, forward, andconferencecalling.Answer the phone by the third ring when receptionists are preoccupied or unavailable.Pick up calls on hold when needed.Assistreceptionandtechnicianassistantswith client payments, information, and euthanasia client care.Possess sufficient knowledge of animal husbandry and basic medicine to answer routine questions or refer calls toappropriate colleagues.Client-Interaction AccountabilitiesCordially greet incoming clients and patients.Update client/patient records as needed.Use client and patient names during conversations.Counsel clients on financial and admittance policies, pet medical procedures, and options that require consideration.Answer client questions and ensure all admittance paperwork is properly completed.Obtain client signatures on consent forms.Inform clients of recommended services for their pets.Provide clients withaccurateand thorough information about over-the-counter products.Understand and explain internal and external parasite products as well as diets, dental products, and behavior management tools.Know where brochures and client-education materials are stored. Provide clients with handouts and brochuresregardingrelevant medical conditions,surgeries, immunizations, internal and external parasites, pet insurance and diets.Always give estimates for services to be performed on all patients.Adviseclients of significant changes in policies or services since their last visit.Explain delays that affect clients. Ensure the comfort of clients and patients during their waits. Offer water, refreshments, etc. Offer to reschedule appointments as needed.Lead clients and pets to exam rooms or throughout the hospital.Identifyin-patients withappropriatecageinformation.UseSmartFlowto trackpatientthrough the hospital.Assistclients with unruly or unrestrained pets.Ensure all dogs are leashed when in the hospital.Ensure team members restrain pets instead of owners.Admit patients to the hospital. Provide counseling and compassion for clients, answer their questions unlesstheattending doctor should do so, and ensure that all admittance paperwork is properly completed.Provide clients with handouts and brochuresregardingrelevant medical conditions, surgeries, immunizations, internal and external parasites, pet health insurance, and diets.Pet Identification AccountabilitiesScan new patients and strays for microchips, tags, and tattoos.Identifyand record microchip numbers, tattoos, and or patient markings in patient records.Communicate with clients about the various pet-identification systems available.Assistclients in registering pet identification information in the practice computer system and in theappropriate nationaldatabase.Transfer incoming patients toappropriate wardsand ensure their comfort.Identifypatients properly.Procedural Accountabilities As patients are admitted, build a surgery, procedure, and/or treatment schedule for the approval of the attending doctors.DirectSmartFloworganization eachas patients are admitted for day-procedures, surgeries, or hospitalization.Patient Discharge AccountabilitiesCoordinate patient transfers with reception and veterinarians.Prepare medications and prescriptions for dispensing according to practice standards and as directed by the doctor.Dispense Medications:When dispensing medications, discuss administration or application of products and potential side effects with owners as instructed by doctors or licensed technicians.Accurately invoice clients from charges inSmartFlow, patient charts, and estimates.Discharge patients:Instruct clients on the care of patients at home, timing of recheck appointments, and potential adverse effects of surgeries, procedures, or medications.