Veterinary Technician

Job Description

Job Description

We are a busy mobile veterinary dermatology practice that only sees pets with skin and ear problems. We are seeking a veterinary technician for a per diem or temporary position at our North Miami and South Miami office.  It is possible the position could turn into longer term.  We are willing to train on the dermatology part, but there must be at least one-two years of veterinary technician experience. The job responsibilities and description are outlined below.

You must be dependable, detail oriented, have self initiative, quick learner and have great customer service skills.  You must have your own transportation and be punctual.  It's a plus if you speak Spanish. Salary will depend on experience level.

Our application process entails: reviewing a current resume, filling out our application form, reference contact, phone interview and then work interview.

Watch our video on You Tube so that you see what we are all about and then message us so that you can be part of our great team:

COVID 19 Disclaimer: We are a veterinary business that is considered essential and still seeing patients. We care for our staff and are doing everything possible to protect them. We are only seeing clients thru curbside service, therefore, clients are not allowed into the clinic. All communication with client is done over the phone. We provide PPE for our staff.

Job Description: Certified or Non Certified Veterinary Technician

Position Summary

A veterinary technician directly handles inpatient and outpatient care, working hand-in-hand with veterinarians. The technician assists in exam rooms by taking patients’ history, vital signs and weight; collecting samples and running diagnostic tests; providing client education; and assisting with animal restraint. Technicians also may see their own appointments, when a doctor exam is not required, for procedures such as suture removal, nail trim, allergy vaccine administration, long-term medication monitoring testing, surgery/procedure admission and discharge and boarding check-in exams. Technicians directly impact doctors’ productivity, client service and patient care. Technicians play a key role in communicating with clients in person and by phone for follow-up care and patient monitoring.

Job Responsibilities

Technical Duties, 90%:

• Assist veterinarians in the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery/procedures
• Perform in-hospital lab testing and prepare specimens for outside labs
• Assist veterinarians in outpatient exams by taking histories, vital signs and weights as well as providing client education
• Provide nursing care for in-hospital patients
• Conduct pre-admission exams and discharge hospitalized patients
• Perform client callbacks
• Maintain proper care and medication administration of boarding animals and assist kennel staff
• Maintain legally defensible medical records in cooperation with veterinarians

Exams

• Prepare and maintain exam rooms (cleanliness and stocking of supplies and brochures)
• Assist veterinarians in exam rooms by taking patients’ history, vital signs and weight; preparing medications; and assisting with medical records
• Educate clients on prevention and wellness topics (i.e. flea control)
• As directed by veterinarian may need to collect samples and examine samples (i.e. skin scrapes, skin and ear cytologies. etc.)
• Fill prescriptions per veterinarians’ instructions
• Educate clients about medication instructions and administration
• Perform admission exams for patients being hospitalized, including weight, vital signs and pre-surgical exam
• Perform pre-anesthetic exams on surgery/procedure patients if the veterinarian has not already assessed patients
• Discharge patients for procedures/surgeries

Lab

• Responsible for in-hospital lab testing (i.e. pre-anesthetic testing, senior screens, complete blood count, urinalysis, cytology, etc.)
• Collect and prepare samples
• Properly log diagnostics test results. Report diagnostic testing results to veterinarians
• Maintain quality controls and record keeping on in-house lab equipment
• Complete proper sample preparation and paperwork for outside diagnostic lab tests

Treatment

• Perform treatments noted on treatment board and in medical records (hospitalized patients, surgery or procedure patients)
• Assist veterinarians with daily treatments
• Monitor in hospital patients
• Provide nursing care
• Use and maintain IV pumps

Surgery/Procedures

• Admit patients scheduled for surgery or procedures
• Keep surgical materials stocked
• Prepare gown and surgical packs
• Check oxygen lines and waste gas scavenger system; turn off scavenger system after surgical procedures are completed
• Prepare procedure or surgical area properly
• Prepare instruments; know type of surgical instruments required for specific surgeries
• Assist veterinarians with patient restraint
• Assist veterinarians with induction/intubation or perform induction/intubation
• Surgical /procedure preparation of patient
• Monitor anesthesia closely with monitoring equipment such as pulse oximeter and electrocardiogram
• Help maintain anesthesia machine
• Assist veterinarian performing surgery/procedure
• Monitor patients waking up from anesthesia; assist with treatment if patient has reaction to anesthesia
• Clean surgery/procedure area and surgical instruments after each procedure following hospital sterilization protocols
• Keep accurate anesthesia/surgical medical records
• Ensure hospital patients go home well groomed and in an appropriate medical state

Medical Records

• Update medical records with progress notes
• Communicate with doctors and technicians through notations in medical records
• Record information for hospitalized patients including:
  • Daily status each time a technician touches a patient, with initials, time, procedures and observations
  • Boarding information
  • Hospitalized procedures
  • Pre-surgical exam findings, anesthesia risk
  • Time anesthesia begins, ends and how many minutes
  • Suture material, suture pattern; incision location and size; veterinarian’s surgical notes
  • Lab test results
  • Injections, medications, fluid therapy, pain management

• Note homecare instructions given to and reviewed with client
• Create estimates/treatment plans
• Collect signatures on consent forms and estimates/treatment plans

Housekeeping Duties, 5%:

• Maintain cleanliness of surgery/procedure suite, treatment area and exams rooms for all surfaces, including lights, tables, cabinets, walls and floors
• Maintain equipment cleanliness and longevity by vacuuming pet hair from keyboards, wheels and equipment
• Vacuum computer keyboards in treatment area, lab/pharmacy and exam rooms
• Clean glass windows and doors in surgery/procedure area, treatment area and exam rooms
• Sweep and mop floors in surgery/procedure area, exam rooms and treatment area
• Keep food and drinks out of treatment area and surgery/procedure area
• Discard syringes in proper containers
• Empty trash
• Clean water and food bowls for hospitalized pets
• Clean cages and bedding for hospitalized pets
• Scrub and polish sinks
• Wipe down walls and baseboards in the surgery/procedure area, treatment area and exam rooms
• Clean cages
• Do laundry

Administrative Duties, 3%:

Inventory

• Log controlled drugs
• Assist with inventory physical count
• Know how to use the inventory module in our veterinary practice-management software
• Unpack deliveries, reconcile against packing slip and restock supplies
• Restock shelves and drawers in exam rooms and treatment area

Safety

· Follow OSHA requirements

· Follow practice’s health and safety protocols

• Maintain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Administrative

• Be proficient in using our veterinary practice software
• File lab results
• Assist receptionists when they need extra help
• Attend staff and department meetings

Professional Growth Duties, 2%:

• Attend continuing education for technicians (conferences, online courses, videos, in-clinic seminars, etc.) as recommended by practice owner
• Read veterinary and technician journals as recommended by practice owner

Educational Requirements & Skills Needed

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent (required)
• Associate’s degree in applied science, veterinary technology (not required but preferred)
• State license to work as a certified/licensed/registered veterinary technician (not required but preferred)

Skills Needed:

• Ability to assist veterinarians in the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery

Physical Obligations:

• Able to lift patients and carry equipment up to 25 pounds; ability to lift patients or carry equipment over 25 pounds with assistance
• Endure sitting, standing and walking on hard floor surfaces for extended periods
• Type (in timely manner) information for patient records and prescription labels into the computer
• Able to work in noisy work conditions with sounds from animals and equipment
• Take safety precautions for exposure to toxins, drugs, anesthesia and radiation