Veterinary Technician

Job Title: Veterinary Technician

Department: Animal Care

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Status: Regular, Full-Time

General Description

Under general supervision, is responsible for performing complex medical care of animals in the City's Animal Care Facility including assisting the veterinarian with treatment plans and surgical procedures. Working conditions are in a kennel environment with frequent exposure to hazardous materials and conditions, unfavorable fumes and odors, and working with animal body fluids and infectious diseases. He or she helps develop and implement wellness protocols, conducts routine wellness, prevention, and diagnostic care. The Vet Tech will also be involved in cleaning and sanitation of the Animal Care Facility and assisting other staff as needed. The Tech communicates frequently with co-workers, members of the public and others to carry out essential job duties.

Essential Job Duties:

The Animal Care Veterinary Technician must be able to perform the following additional essential job duties safely, with or without reasonable accommodation.

1. Assists Veterinarian in restraining animals for clinical examination.
2. Lifts and carries animals weighing up to 50 pounds to secure in cages or place on examination tables, and assists with team lifts for animals weighing over 50 pounds.
3. Performs emergency first aid.
4. Screens animals for sterilization surgery and draws blood samples to examine for diseases including but not limited to filariases and anemia.
5. Collects fecal samples and examines them for endoparasites.
6. Bathes, dips, and dries animals.
7. Prepares, sterilizes, and maintains surgical packs.
8. Schedules surgeries.
9. Sedates, undulates, and assists in applying anesthesia; maintains anesthesia; clips, shaves, and disinfects the area for incision; and assists in surgery.
10. Monitors animal recovery from anesthesia.
11. Scrubs and disinfects instruments prior to sterilization.
12. Examines animal before discharge and advises owner on post-surgical care of animal.
13. Maintains an inventory of medical supplies.
14. Assists with daily cleaning and sanitizing of animal holding areas.
15. Assists with daily feeding and watering of shelter animals.
16. Administers medications and basic medical care as needed to the shelter animals.
17. Assists in euthanizing of unwanted, dangerous/vicious or injured animals in a humane manner, as authorized by supervisor or department procedures.
18. Prepares and maintains records required by the Animal Care Facility.
19. Assists public with inquires to include adoption, surrender, and relaying concerns to Animal Control Officers for potential calls for service.
20. Follows City and Department policies and procedures and the instructions of his or her supervisor.
21. Communicates effectively with supervisors, co-workers and others (internally and externally) in order to provide, exchange, or verify information, answer inquiries, address issues, or resolve and/or report problems or complaints.
22. Use good judgment and make good decisions in matters related to the job.
23. Is helpful, cooperative and courteous, and demonstrates a good attitude in all dealings with the public, co-workers and others.
24. Reports in a timely manner all issues, concerns and questions to the supervisor or others as appropriate in the chain of command.
25. Punctual, regular, on-site, in-person attendance is a requirement of the job; works outside of normal working hours as required and is to be on call and available for duty during emergency periods as defined by City Council, the City Manager or the Department Director.
26. Dresses appropriately and in compliance with the City Policy.
27. Demonstrates initiative and diligence in the prompt and proper completion of all job duties, whether or not listed in this Job Description.
28. Safeguards City property and recognize and report needed repairs.
29. Works safely, follows safety rules and training, wears personal protective devices when required and maintains a clean, safe work environment.
30. Maintains confidentiality with regard to all City business.
31. Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Basic Requirements:

1. High School Diploma or GED and the ability to read, write and perform mathematical calculations at a level commonly associated with graduation from high school or its equivalent.
2. One (1) year of animal health care assisting a veterinarian, animal control, or animal care experience or Licensed as a Veterinary Technician.
3. Have and maintain a clear and valid Texas Class C Motor Vehicle Operators License with a satisfactory driving record.
4. Successfully complete various background checks, pre-employment medical/physical test(s), drug test, and driver’s license check.
5. Certification as State of Texas Certified Euthanasia Technician or obtain within 120 days of employment.

Other Requirements:

The Vet Tech must have significant knowledge, skills and/or abilities in:

1. Ability to humanely euthanize animals and dispose of them properly.
2. Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions (request clarification when needed), departmental policy, rules, regulations and law.
3. Knowledge of general office procedures and skill in operating general office equipment, including a calculator, fax machine, copier, and utilizing computers using Microsoft Office products, Internet Explorer and Animal Care Facility Programs.
4. Ability to provide quality customer service to both external and internal customers.
5. Establishing and maintaining an effective working relationship with co-workers, employees in other City departments, outside agencies and the general public with a courteous and professional demeanor.
6. Assisting in the training of personnel on basic responsibilities and animal handling.
7. Assisting occasionally with offsite events.
8. Performing related duties and fulfilling all responsibilities as required.
9. Being available for work before and after scheduled hours and for callback as needed.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

The Vet Tech must be able to perform the following physical and mental requirements safely, with or without reasonable accommodation.

1. Sit, stand, walk, run, move around, bend, reach, stretch, push and pull and remain upright for extended periods of time.
2. Must be able to lift or move objects weighing as much as fifty (50) pounds.
3. The activities and the approximate amounts of time required per day for each are shown below. The estimates may not sum to one-hundred (100) percent.
4. Sitting - 10%
5. Standing - 50%
6. Walking - 35%
7. Running - 0%
8. Bending - 20%
9. Reaching - 10%
10. Stretching - 10%
11. Lifting and moving objects up to fifty (50) pounds -2%
12. Pushing or pulling - 3%
13. Moving within and without the office environment - 80%
14. Ability to work effectively under pressure/stress and deadlines.
15. Ability to work outside in inclement weather, including but not limited to high and low temperatures, high humidity, rain and snow.
16. Ability to work in enclosed spaces.
17. Ability to understand, learn, remember and communicate information about the job.
18. Ability to understand the meaning of and use and speak words understandably and effectively in the English language.
19. Good hearing and listening abilities, that is, must be able to hear spoken words from co-workers, supervisors and others.
20. Good motor coordination skills, that is, must be able to coordinate his or her eyes, hands and fingers rapidly and accurately in order to handle precise movements such as driving and in response to visual, auditory and other stimuli.
21. Ability to euthanize animals.
22. Ability to work safely around animals including aggressive animals.
23. Have a tolerance for animal allergies and exposure to cat and dog feces.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Converse is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request in accordance with applicable federal and Texas laws.