Veterinary Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Oakcrest Pet Hospital is a well-established, compassionate veterinary practice dedicated to providing high-quality care for pets and support for their owners. Our team of skilled professionals is committed to promoting animal health and welfare in a warm and welcoming environment. We are seeking a dedicated and knowledgeable Veterinary Technician to join our team.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

This position is responsible for the following functions:

Exam Room-

• Review patient file for necessary procedures, tests, vaccinations, etc and designate items on the travel sheet.
• Gather pertinent information from the client regarding the patient's health.
• Educate clients on preventative medicine, products, and services.
• Obtain the patient's vitals
• Perform requested procedures such as blood tests, nail trims, ear cleaning, and anal gland expressions.
• Restrain animals during examinations and assist with other procedures as determined by the doctors.
• Gather and administer medications and vaccines as directed by the doctors.
• Organize treatment plans (estimates) with the doctors and review the plans with clients.
• Invoice all services and initial invoices when complete.
• Handle body care for deceased pets.
• Schedule appointments.

Laboratory-

• Collect blood, stool, urine and ear samples and perform necessary tests.
• Utilize microscope for otic and fecal cytology results.
• Interpret urine specific gravity using refractometer.
• Store and submit samples to referral laboratories.
• Take radiographs using proper safety precautions. Label all radiographs with required information.
• Maintain laboratory equipment as directed by the manuals.
• Enter results of tests or confirm that results have been transferred to the patient's file.
• Ensure diagnostic results have been reported to clients.

Hospital-

• Perform venipuncture and place IV catheters.
• Administer medications as directed by the veterinarians.
• Provide nursing care as dictated by the treatment charts. Record necessary information.
• Walk hospitalized and boarding pets in the allocated areas outside as needed.
• Clean and disinfect cages when necessary and provide bedding, food, and water.

Surgery-

• Thoroughly discuss consent forms with owners. Ensure that every form is completely and accurately filled out and signed by the owner.
• Write all procedures for the pets on the white board and confirm that all tasks have been completed.
• Draw blood and perform necessary pre-surgical tests.
• Calculate medications and prepare the surgery suite.
• Place IV catheters and determine surgical fluid rates.
• Pre-medicate, induce anesthesia and surgically prepare patients.
• Monitor patient vitals using accepted measures. Make the doctor aware of any abnormalities and treat as directed. Continue monitoring until patients are in recovery.
• Perform dental radiographs, teeth scaling, and polishing.
• Invoice all services and initial when complete.
• Prepare home care instructions, medications, and other discharge information.
• Contact owners to relay information about their pets and set up discharge times.
• Clean, autoclave, and prepare surgical instruments and supplies for future use.
• Create treatment plans (estimates) for upcoming surgical procedures.

Miscellaneous Duties-

• Enter medical information to patient files as necessary.
• Clean and organize the exam rooms, pharmacy, laboratory area, surgery suite, and x-ray area.
• Restock exam room supplies, medications, laboratory supplies, and surgical tools. Office Manager of low inventory or necessary repairs.
• Contact clients that recently brought pets for surgery or examinations and discuss how the pet is doing. Inform a doctor if the pet is not doing well and enter appropriate information into Cornerstone.
• Contact owners to remind them of routine laboratory tests.
• Receive incoming calls when needed and direct calls to the appropriate staff members.