Description

Technicians are responsible for hospital maintenance, assisting the veterinarians, laboratory procedures, medical procedures, radiology, pharmacy, operation and maintenance of instruments and equipment inventory, daily treatment of hospitalized patients, rehabilitation, assisting in the operating room, and maintenance of the OSHA and Hazardous materials programs.
Other Skills:
1. Competent animal restraint techniques using a Fear Free approach
2. Assist in the treatment of patients.
3. Maintain a professional appearance in both attitude and clothing
4. Assist in surgery
5. Promote the practice by attending events, word of mouth, and business cards
6. Perform dental scaling/polishing, and fluoride treatment as directed
7. Be friendly and pleasant with clients and colleagues even in the face of difficulty
8. Take x-rays and email for radiologist interpretation
9. Understand and use safety measures when performing x-rays
10. Take digital photos of relevant lesions and save to patient’s medical records as directed 11. Run in-house lab work and record results in patient medical records
12. Prepare lab work forms/specimens for out-of-office laboratories
13. Administer treatments to patients including but not limited to medications, fluids, and injections
14. Fill medications, advise if medication inventory is low and needs to be re-ordered. Use medications that are closer to the expiration date before using the later expiration date medications. Do not use expired medications and inform the proper personnel of expired medications.
15. Monitor hospitalized patients including recording vital signs
16. Monitor anesthetized patients including recording vital signs
17. Complete progress forms for in-hospital/anesthetized patients
18. Know where necessary supplies are located
19. Inform the proper personnel when supplies are low in stock and must be re-ordered
20. Stock exam/treatment/radiology rooms as necessary
21. Assist in ordering prescriptions/prescribed foods/supplies for patients
22. Set up medications and prescriptions
23. Understand diseases, medications, and anesthesia
24. Understand vaccination protocols, basic lab testing, common diseases, and pet behavior
25. Show ability to draw specimens including blood and urine and other specimens as needed
26. Show ability to administer vaccinations and other injections as directed
27. Show ability to place catheters intravenously 28. Show ability to start fluid and infusion pumps
29. Prepare animals for surgery including intubation, anesthesia administration, shaving, and scrubbing of surgical sites
30. Show ability to recognize signs of pain and discomfort in patients
31. Show ability to follow hospital protocols for anesthesia administration
32. Show ability to follow hospital protocols for treatment of patients with diagnosed problems
33. Log controlled drugs and assist with keeping controlled drugs under lock and key
34. Be familiar with sterile technique including gloving, gowning, masking, and other components
35. Alert veterinarian on staff of any changes in a patient’s health status
36. Keep work areas clean, including radiology, surgery, and kennels
37. Walk hospitalized patients outside with the use of two leashes
38. Keep patients comfortable and clean
39. Verify that all secure areas remain secure by keeping essential doors closed
40. Bathe hospitalized patients as needed
41. Attend staff meetings as needed
42. Assist veterinarian, reception, and other team members as needed
43. Record weights of all patients
44. Understand duties and responsibilities of receptionists
45. When in doubt, ask someone clarifying questions
46. Continually strive to improve
47. Make suggestions on ways to improve
48. Advise veterinarian of any relevant information shared by client including but not limited to life-changing events, career or career change, and/or special occasion
49. Be a team player - Help veterinarian and/or other staff members accomplish necessary tasks to make hospital run smoothly
50. Be familiar with other job descriptions 
51. Read, sign, and follow protocols listed in employee manual 
52. Be environmentally friendly when possible

Requirements

Graduate from an AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technician program

Have an active veterinary technician license from the State of Texas

Bilingual preferred but not a requirement