Licensed Veterinary Technician (or very talented Veterinary Surgical Assistant)

Description

PRIMARY JOB FUNCTIONS – SPAY/NEUTER

1. Examine animals pre-op to assist in determining their ability to withstand surgery
2. Make recommendations to the veterinarian regarding animal statuses
3. Assist with surgical sterilizations, following established guidelines for high quality, high-volume procedures, with a daily goal of 30+ surgeries per doctor 
4. Conduct regular routine health monitoring and exams based on veterinary team instruction, and ensure the implementation of preventative measures such as vaccinations, anthelmintic treatments, etc.
5. Perform other medically necessary procedures under guidance of veterinarian while patients are present for surgery
   1. Administer various therapeutic measures by IV, IM, SQ, topical, oral routes, etc.
   2. Prep and intubate
   3. Bandage/wrapping techniques
   4. Venipuncture techniques
   5. Swabs
   6. Proficient animal restraint techniques
   7. Monitor critical care animals (i.e. place IVs, monitor fluids, etc.)
   8. Tissue sampling, routine animal manipulations, etc.
6. Assist with post-op exams as necessary to ensure appropriate recovery 
7. Maintain appropriate medical records
8. Inoculate animals and provide instructions for follow up care
9. Gain and maintain a thorough understanding of ClinicHQ – capturing charges efficiently and accurately
10. Ensure proper handling and recording of controlled substances
11. Ensure accurate and timely record keeping in ClinicHQ or ShelterLuv as appropriate
12. Assist in training veterinary assistant team on surgical support procedures – primarily spay/neuter
13. Work cooperatively with relief doctors

SECONDARY JOB FUNCTIONS – RESCUE/ADOPT

1. Assist in Wellness/Foster Clinic when appropriate
2. Under Veterinary supervision, perform examinations and recommend treatments for foster pets, adhering to health protocols established for pets in our adoption program
3. Work cooperatively with owners and foster parents, effectively communicating treatment plans
4. Provide input for treatment and housing protocols

SECONDARY JOB FUNCTIONS – PUBLIC WELLNESS/GO FIX-OUTREACH

1. Under Veterinary supervision, provide appropriate examinations and vaccines for pets at off-site events as needed – typically 1x month
2. Assist in the supervision of veterinary assistants at events
3. Works to ensure appropriate record-keeping
4. Provide input for Outreach event protocols

SECONDARY JOB FUNCTIONS – COUNTY SHELTER MEDICINE

1. Under Veterinary supervision, provide appropriate examinations and vaccines/treatments for pets at local county shelters 
2. Assist with shelter surgeries
3. Assist with herd health management
4. Ensure appropriate record-keeping
5. Work cooperatively with shelter staff and volunteers

OTHER GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Adhere to established protocols for safety, cleanliness, and prevention of disease
2. Assist with ongoing surgical and Wellness staff member training
3. Participate in appropriate staff meetings
4. Effectively “team lead,” displaying a positive attitude and acting as a motivating force for all staff members
5. Ensure all surgical staff members are adhering to proper pre-, peri- and post-operative care of patients.
6. Communicate any issues concerning personnel or protocol with Manager – Surgery/Duluth

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

1. Physical Requirements
   1. Must be able to work for 10 or more hours, standing and walking
   2. Must be able to bend and kneel repeatedly
   3. Must have good hearing including ability to distinguish changes in pitch
   4. Must have acceptable sense of touch and smell
   5. Must have good range of motion in joints especially wrist, knees, elbows 
   6. Must have good range of motion in your back for instance twisting
   7. Must possess excellent hand-eye coordination
   8. Must possess an acceptable degree of dexterity in hands and fingers
   9. Must have good vision including peripheral vision, fine detail, distance, depth perception and ability to focus
2. Emotional/Mental Requirements
   1. Must be able to work under stressful conditions efficiently and effectively
   2. Must be able to respond quickly to a variety of medical situations 
   3. Must be able to cope with death either due to surgical complication or euthanasia
   4. Ability to rapidly and accurately process information
   5. Ability to delegate tasks
   6. Ability to recognize a need for assistance and ask for help
   7. Ability to make decisions
   8. Ability to cope with frustrating situations and remain calm
3. Potential and Prolonged Exposures
   1. Prolonged exposure to various aqueous solutions including but not limited to dish soap, chlorhexidine and spectra soap
   2. Prolonged exposure to isopropanol, hydrogen peroxide
   3. Potential exposure to formalin solution
   4. Potential/Prolonged exposure to isoflurane gas
   5. Prolonged exposure to quaternary ammonium cleaners and bleach
   6. Prolonged exposure to pressurized steam
   7. Potential exposure to sharps including needles and surgical blades

REQUIRED

• Must be a licensed veterinary technician in the state of Georgia (or working toward licensure or would like to work toward licensure)
• Knowledge of DEA requirements for handing and reporting controlled drug inventories
• Exceptional animal-handling techniques – Fear Free preferred
• Experience with ClinicHQ and ShelterLuv – or willingness to learn
• Excellent reading, writing and verbal skills
• Excellent math skills
• Basic computer skills
• Ability to work unsupervised as well as in a team environment
• Demonstrate understanding of Standard Operating Procedures

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The offices and operations of a high-volume spay/neuter clinic can be high stress and very busy at times.  Exceptional teamwork is key.  Surgeries are currently scheduled four days/week, usually Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to approximately 5 p.m. (plus monthly Saturday vaccines clinics and/or Saturday fill in at the shelter); the schedule can change and may sometimes require weekend or evening hours for meetings, training, or events.   Planned PEThood is committed to maintaining a work schedule that is satisfactory for individual staff members as well as the overall organization and our communities’ animals and their families.  

How to Apply

Please email your resume and a brief cover letter describing "why I'm the perfect fit for Planned PEThood."  Emails can be sent to cjbentley@plannedPEThood.org.