Veterinary Technician

Job Title

Euthanasia Technician

Position Summary

This is responsible technical work providing professional and humane care to animals in the custody of the County Animal Shelter. This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work. An employee assigned to this classification performs a variety of animal care duties including assisting a veterinarian in medicine and surgery, feeding and watering animals, routine cleaning and disinfection and administering humane euthanasia for population management. Work is performed under the direction of a higher-level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports and observation of results obtained.

Examples of Duties

Essential Job Functions

This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.

Exudes a positive customer service focus.

Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with the County's core values.

Assists veterinary staff in preparation, handling, monitoring, recovery, and post-operative care of surgical patients with a potential caseload of over 15 patients a day.

Handles and restrains companion and exotic animals for intake and veterinary examinations.

Administers a variety of medications and vaccinations via a number of different routes.

Performs venipuncture and laboratory testing in-house for companion and exotic animals.

Bathes, shaves, clips, and grooms animals as needed.

Cleans and disinfects animal kennels and facilities, medical and surgical areas and equipment as necessary.

Performs humane euthanasia of designated animals in accordance with department policy, applicable laws and regulations, and best practices.

Updates animal records in shelter management software to ensure efficient shelter operation.

Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.

Knowledge of the proper care and handling of companion animals; including those that are aggressive, hostile, sick and/or injured.

Knowledge of humane euthanasia procedures.

Knowledge of basic laboratory testing, sample collection, and venipuncture.

Knowledge of companion animal anesthesia, including intubation (emergency and non-emergency), administration of injectable and inhalant induction agents, intraoperative monitoring, and recovery management.

Knowledge of basic medical triage, emergency procedures, and medical management/support of in-house patients.

Knowledge of radiographic techniques and positioning.

Ability to administer vaccinations, parasite preventatives, and medications (oral, topical, and injectable).

Ability to perform lab tests and operate related equipment.

Ability to assist with animal surgeries, monitor animals following surgical procedures, and perform humane euthanasia when necessary.

Ability to deal effectively with the public and co-workers, especially during emotional or stressful situations.

Ability to educate the public about spay/neuter, vaccination, heartworm prevention, return to field of community cats, and other medical issues/diseases that affect shelter patients.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Ability to maintain accurate and complete medical records and input data into shelter management software.

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 regularly required to stand and use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee frequently is required to walk, talk, or hear, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and depth perception.

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 occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes, or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.