Veterinarian Technician

Description:
**Position Summary**:

- Reporting to the Veterinarian, the Registered Veterinary Technician/Veterinary Technician will assist the medical team in the PetSpace Health Center and cares for in-house animal medical needs.
- This on-site position will be working a 4/10 schedule, including weekends.

**Essential Position Functions**:
In coordination with the Veterinarian of Wallis Annenberg PetSpace and the Health Center Coordinator-RVT/Veterinary Technician will be responsible for the following:
**Medical**:

- Intake dogs and cats following veterinary protocols (administering vaccines, snap tests, exams, etc.).
- Prepare all medications, anesthetic drugs, tests, vaccines and equipment to be used, including surgical packs.
- Clean, sonicate, pack, and sterilize surgical instruments.
- Prepare animals for surgery and general medical procedures, as necessary.
- Assist Veterinarian with spay/neuter and other necessary surgeries.
- Assist Veterinarian with general medical care of adoptable animals.
- Perform all post-surgical clean-up, including instruments, laundry, packs, etc.
- Keep storage, exam, prep, and surgery rooms hygienically clean and in order.
- Administer injections, vaccinations, medications, treatments and supportive care measures as directed by Veterinarian/approved medical protocols.
- Intubate animals, place intravenous catheters, perform venipuncture, run diagnostic tests, and administer fluids, as needed.
- Monitor vital signs of sedated and anesthetized patients in preoperative, operative, and postoperative phases.
- Maintain medical supplies inventory. Ensure that supplies are in-date.
- Ensure that anesthetic machines, pulse oximeters, scales, and other equipment are functional. When equipment is not working properly report to the Veterinarian/Facility Manager.
- Draw blood, urine, fecal samples and determine results, as appropriate.
- Provide vaccinations and medications, as directed.
- Perform other lab tests, as directed.
- Stay current in knowledge of emergency drugs and protocols.
- In coordination with the Animal Care Manager, provide training and management of animal care staff based on the operational protocols.
- In coordination with the Veterinarian, Health Center Coordinator and/or the Animal Care Manager, delegate appropriate tasks to Animal Care Specialists.
- Other duties as assigned.

**Customer Service/Programming**:

- Communicate in an effective and professional manner with public and Annenberg PetSpace staff members, especially Veterinarians and Animal Care Specialists.
- Know veterinary medical concepts, including, but not limited to vaccine protocols and anesthetic risks. Be able to communicate such information to potential adopters.
- Provide comprehensive specific information to potential adopters about each animal’s condition, as necessary.
- Participate in public education programming (i.e. pop-up presentations, behind the scenes clinic tours, etc.).
- Assist veterinarian/Health Center Coordinator in coordinating continuing education calendar, maintaining continuing education requirements for veterinary staff, and coordinating onsite continuing education programs in conjunction with the education program team.
- Represent Annenberg PetSpace in a professional and courteous manner at all times.

**Administrative/Other**:

- Maintain medical records on every animal.
- Order and maintain veterinary supplies as directed by and in coordination with Veterinarian and Health Center Coordinator.
- Adhere to all protocols put forth by Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
- Follow all written and verbally communicated Standard Operating Procedures.
- Perform other duties as assigned.

**Requirements**:
**Experience**:

- 3-5 years working as Veterinary Technician.
- Experience performing complex animal health technical procedures and dental cleanings.
- Experience establishing and administering general anesthesia for surgical. procedures on animals as well as administering medications.
- Experience in calculating and administering medications.
- Experience in accomplishing catheterization and blood collection.
- Knowledge of hospital protocols in an animal environment.
- Experience initiating appropriate infection control precautions and evaluating hospital sanitation protocols, and performing facility inspection, assessing working conditions, and initiating corrective action.
- Experience documenting and managing inventory.
- Experience in recognizing emergency situations and in performing emergency treatments.

**Knowledge, Skills and Abilities**:

- Excellent animal handling skills.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office and selected shelter software/database.
- Must be able to lift and carry 40-plus pounds repeatedly throughout the day with assistance.
- Must possess the ability to work standing for 9 hours.
- Must possess the ability to work efficiently and calmly under challenging conditions.
- Main