Lead Veterinary Technician

Are you a highly skilled veterinary technician looking to elevate your career in a specialized field? We have the perfect opportunity for you! Animal Dermatology Clinic - Portland, our state-of-the-art dermatology practice in Portland, Oregon, is seeking a dedicated Lead Technician to join our dynamic team.

The Role: In this position, you aren’t just “helping out” - you are a vital part of the medical process. You will work closely with our Board-Certified Dermatologists and technical team to manage complex cases, provide enhanced quality of life via treatments, and provide a bridge of communication between the doctor and client. You are an energetic individual with a positive demeanor that takes initiative and is committed to the needs of the clinic. You are punctual, willing to teach others and share ideas, adaptable to change, able to see the big picture, and professional and caring when dealing with patients/clients.

WHY JOIN US?

• Specialize in Dermatology: Become a key player in our cutting-edge dermatology practice. Work alongside renowned veterinarians and specialists, expanding your expertise in a niche field.
• Work-Life Balance: Say goodbye to the stress of irregular schedules! Enjoy a consistent Monday to Friday workweek with no nights, weekends, on-call duties, or holiday shifts. We believe in fostering a healthy work-life balance.
• State-of-the-Art Facility: Our clinic is equipped with the latest technology and tools, providing you with the resources needed to deliver exceptional care to our furry patients.
• Collaborative Team Environment: Join a team of like-minded professionals who are passionate about providing the highest standard of care. Collaborate with veterinarians and fellow support staff in a positive and supportive atmosphere.
• Competitive Compensation: We recognize and reward top talent. Enjoy a competitive wage, benefits package, and opportunities for professional development and growth.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent client service skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Ability to navigate telephone, computer and software systems.
• Ability to take information obtained from a variety of sources, discern that which is credible and assess the clinic and its operation objectively. Possesses sound decision-making skills.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks at once, and deal with high levels of stress in an environment of changing priorities. Possesses strong time-management skills.
• Ability to plan, organize, and effectively present ideas and concepts.
• Must be friendly, outgoing, and “people-oriented.”
• Ability to work in a team-oriented environment.
• Well groomed, organized, and detail oriented.
• Ability to take direction.
• Ability to handle money accurately and honestly.

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma.
• Certified/Registered Technician status or equivalent practice experience of at least 5 years.
• Thorough knowledge of the veterinary and/or dermatology profession.

Authority:

• Authority to set and adjust daily staff assignments and duties within established guidelines.
• Authority to resolve client service issues within established guidelines.
• Authority to delay disputed charges until further reviewed by management.
• Effective determination and scheduling of emergencies.

Physical Requirements:

• Dependable attendance is required.
• Any allergies to animals must be controllable through medication.
• Must be able to lift forty (40) pounds.
• Must be willing to work long or irregular hours under pressure conditions.
• This position requires the ability to walk, bend, stand and reach constantly during a minimum eight (8) hour day.
• Visual acuity sufficient to maintain accurate records, recognize people and understand written directions.
• Ability to speak and hear sufficiently to understand, give information in person and over the telephone.
• Fine motor skills adequate for utilizing clinic equipment such as electric clippers, syringes, radiology equipment, laboratory equipment, computers, etc.

The following is a list of essential job requirements. This list may be revised at any time and additional duties not listed here may be assigned as needed. Job Functions and Job Responsibilities include overseeing that the following occur within the clinic:

Staff Management - Technical Staff:

• Lead and act as subject matter resource for the training, education and development of our veterinary staff in clinical and technical knowledge and skills.
• Lead and train staff in accordance with our core values, mission statement, and vision.
• Assign daily responsibilities/roles to technical staff to ensure smooth patient care workflow and leverage doctor and staff time (i.e. assigned techs, procedure prep, message boards, opening/closing duties, satellite preparations).
• Ensure that technical staff follow the published schedules so the practice operates efficiently and with minimal overtime.
• Support employee relations, morale building, and communications. Participate and help organize team building events.
• Provide support to management with related tasks as necessary such as staff scheduling, policy enforcement, hiring, performance evaluation and disciplinary actions of employees.

Patient Management:

• Coordinate the daily workflow of patient admitting, hospitalization and discharging.
• Responsible for administration, delegation and completion of veterinarian’s medical orders.
• Mentor technical staff in nursing care, anesthesia, skin tests, surgery, laboratory and pharmacy, ensuring that staff is trained and following our standards of quality medical care.
• Ensure that all patient medical and surgical records, prescription refill requests and messages are completed in a timely manner.
• Perform all duties of a technician with excellence, and work alongside staff to promote a team approach.

Client Management:

• Coordinate client flow to ensure that clients and patients are seen and treated in a professional, timely and competent manner.
• Mentor technical staff in how to communicate effectively with clients in person, by telephone and in writing, ensuring that staff is trained and following our high standards of customer service and professionalism.
• Assist Practice Manager and/or Management Team with review and handling of client complaints as needed.
• Oversee compliance with call back system including overdue reminder calls.

Research, Education and Community Relations:

• Serve as the lead, designated technician in clinical research studies to support our mission to pursue the advancement of knowledge in veterinary dermatology.
• Serve as the lead, designated technician in training and educating residents, students and doctor visitors on the science and art of veterinary dermatology.
• Support and participate in planned marketing and community service events and programs. These may include off-site activities such as dog walks, brownie deliveries to our referring veterinarians or annual events such as Halloween pet costume contests.

Office Management:

• Facilitate orders and receipt of inventory and supplies, invoices and packing slips. This may range from adjusting workflow and/or arranging coverage to allow time for assigned personnel to complete inventory tasks, to performing actual duties on an occasional or regular basis depending upon the needs of the practice to ensure accurate and timely inventory management.
• Monitor usage of hospital supplies and inventory so the practice operates efficiently and communicate needs to Practice Manager or appropriate personnel as directed.
• Train technical staff on billing and invoicing to reduce transaction errors and opportunity for missed charges, payment processing, discounts, daily financial closing procedures and troubleshooting to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Assist Practice Manager and/or management team with periodic hospital audits and monthly vendor statement reviews.

Facility & Equipment Maintenance:

• Be knowledgeable, train technical staff and help maintain system of routine servicing needed for medical equipment used for patient care.
• Maintain system of sanitation and disinfection responsibilities of technical staff. This includes keeping the treatment areas and exam rooms neat and free of feces, urine, hair, and debris. The areas should be kept free of clutter and hygienic.
• Periodically check the outside of the clinic for feces, urine, smells, etc. and keep clean and neat. Also examine glass doors and windows for smudges and clean when necessary.

Meetings:

• Meet with the Practice Manager and/or management team regularly to discuss, evaluate and plan workflow, training and staffing support items.
• Lead frequent, brief tech meetings to coordinate the technical team on daily workflow, patient care items and assignments with the goal of supporting the smooth operation of the practice and providing exceptional patient care.
• Assist the Practice Manager or Supervisor with the planning of monthly clinic meetings for doctors and staff to ensure that all team members are updated on important events, news, and major protocol changes as needed for the success and development of the practice.
• Read and respond to all communication in a timely manner.

• Time away from work including no nights or weekends, a robust vacation allowance, paid holidays, sick time/mental health days, Paid Parental Leave, short- and long-term disability coverage options, and leaves of absence.
• Comprehensive benefits for medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and Health Savings Accounts, as well as wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services.
• Savings and retirement resources, including a 401(k) plan with 100% match on 3% of pay and 50% match on up to 2% more of pay, flexible spending accounts, retirement readiness tools, advisor support and resources, rollover support and financial wellbeing counseling.
• Education support through certification programs and CE opportunities.
• Additional benefits for life insurance, supplemental health protection plans, legal counseling, identity theft protection, commuting, and more.
• Company provided scrubs and discounts on services and medications for employee pets.
• Monthly bonus based on clinic’s dietary sales.