Animal Health Technician

Paraprofessional Animal Health CareReporting directly to Animal Health Supervisor, responsible for providing paraprofessional health care to animals within the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, by administering medical care to the animals and supporting the Animal Care and Animal Behavior teams.Examples Of Work PerformedProvides health care to all shelter animals including vaccinating, de-worming, weighing, photographing, performing diagnostic tests (i.e., fecal testing, blood tests), venipuncture, placing catheters, and administering medicationsProvides medication to sick and injured animals, monitors rabies quarantine animals, euthanizes animals as necessaryCollects blood, urine, fecal, and skin samplesLeads, trains, directs, and provides feedback on daily tasks of Volunteers and Community Service workers, and assists as neededAdministers health checks of all animals, verifying animal locations, administering needed medications, and documenting any concerns for follow-upAssists veterinarian with examinations and medical procedures, including spay/neuter surgeries, microchipping, and performs medical treatments as directedPerforms radiographs at the shelter, with proficiency in correct positioning, based on protocols written by shelter veterinarianPrepares animals for surgery, administers medication, monitors animal vitals through the surgery and recovery process, and sanitizes surgical instrumentsCleans and sanitizes the surgery room, recovery kennels, and tech roomsAssists with emergency procedures such as CPR, IV catheter placement and drug administration, and placement on endotracheal tubes under supervision of shelter veterinarianMonitors animal vitals through the surgery and recovery process, and provides post-op care, such as wound cleaning and bandagingCounsels fosters/adopters on medical treatments or medical needs of shelter animalsUtilizes shelter software to maintain information about animals, including medical historiesLogs medications, including controlled substances, in required logs and recordsDetermines disposition on all animals, handles fractious animals, and assigns handling difficulty levels based on behavior and medical conditionsAssists in determining which animals may need outside veterinarian careProvides medication to sick and injured animals, monitors rabies quarantine animals, euthanizes animals as necessaryIdentifies animals that are candidates for outside rescue organizations or foster careFollows all medical protocols and procedures as written by veterinarianTransports animals to other facilities as neededFollows all safety measures and policies, including proper animal restraints and reading animal behavioral cues, and promptly reports any safety incidents to leadershipPerforms clerical and customer service duties related to the intake and processing of animals for impoundment, adoption, and redemptionMonitors and maintains the tech email, determining which medical protocol to follow when symptoms or incidents are reported, including determining how urgent the medical issue may be and the best course of action to takeEnsures building security upon opening and closing, and maintains accurate inventory of medical supplies, re-stocking as necessaryServes as animal services supervisor for weekend coveragePerforms special duties as assignedOrganization RelationshipsReports directly to – Animal Health SupervisorDirect Reports – NoPhysical DemandsPosition involves prolonged standing, walking, twisting, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, and other fine motor repetitive motionsPosition requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine motor coordinationPosition involves lifting and carrying of animals and equipment weighing up to fifty (50) pounds, or up to one hundred (100) pounds with assistance, and exertion of up to twenty-five (25) pounds of force to move objectsPosition involves hearing and/or seeing alert cues regarding animal and staff securityPosition involves maintaining composure in a high-stress environmentEnvironmental FactorsWork tasks are conducted indoors and frequently outdoorsMay work outside in inclement weather, including extreme heat, cold and wet conditionsFrequent handling of animals, including contact with waste and bloodExposure to unpleasant smells and a noisy and wet environment associated with a shelterFrequent exposure to animals that are agitated or injured that may attempt to bite or scratchPosition involves working in a high-volume, fast-paced environmentPosition involves working with distressed individualsIrregular HoursFlexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays is a schedule requirementEssential personnel for emergency situations; discretion of department directorRegular attendance is requiredMinimum QualificationsHigh school diploma or equivalentLicensed Veterinary Technician / Certified Vet Assistant OR one (1) year of experience as a veterinary technician/assistant in a shelter / animal hospital settingOne (1) year of customer service and professional communication experienceKnowledge of animal health and well-being, including nutritional needs, common animal diseases and behavioral issues, proper and safe handling, and restraints, caring for sick/injured/fractious animals, and pharmaceuticals commonly used in treatment of animal conditionsPrior experience identifying signs and symptoms of animal illnesses, injuries, and behavioral issues, drawing blood from animals, performing injections, administering medications, and performing basic veterinary testing proceduresWorking knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, computers, phone/iPad software and applications such as instant messaging (IM), email, FaceTime, PetPoint, etc.Licenses And CertificationsRequired within thirty (30) days of employmentValid driver's licenseRequired within 120 days (4 months) of employmentEuthanasia certificationPreferred QualificationsAssociates degree in a related fieldTwo (2) years of animal welfare experienceAdvanced knowledge of dog and cat body language cuesLicensed Veterinary TechnicianCertified Vet AssistantEmployment TestingEmployment is contingent on passing any post-offer pre-employment screening as listed below:Criminal background check: YesMotor Vehicle Record check: YesDrug screening: YesPhysical exam: NoPsychological exam: NoAdditional: N/ASupplemental InformationA Williamson County online application (resumes alone are not sufficient) must be received before the position is closed. Positions are open until filled, subject to close at any time after five (5) business days. The Human Resources Department is located at 100 Wilco Way, Georgetown, TX 78626. Phone View phone number on click.appcast.io or visit our website at County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). If you require an accommodation in order to apply for a position, please request assistance from the Human Resources Department.TOBACCO FREE WORKPLACE POLICYWilliamson County is a tobacco free workplace. The use of tobacco products (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, snuff, chew, etc.) and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) (e.g., vapor, e-cigarettes, etc.) is prohibited on all Williamson County premises. Employees who violate this policy are subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.