Medical Technician
Description
Title: Medical Technician – Shelter Medical Center
Position Summary: Under the direction of the Medical Manager, assists in the provision of medical care of animals in the shelter and foster. Administers medications, triage incoming animals, performs basic laboratory tests, and performs euthanasia. Works well independently and under pressure but as part of a team to ensure timely, quality medical care for all animals in the shelter.
Supervisor: Medical Manager
ARL Culture:
Working at the ARL requires a positive attitude and high emotional intelligence. We have an inclusive, mission-driven, people-first culture of compassion in adherence with our organizational values (www.berksarl.org/values) and the animal-sheltering industry’s human-animal support services model (www.humananimalsupportservices.org). Advocacy of the ARL and animal welfare as it relates to animal sheltering is central to organizational goals and community/stakeholder conversations.
Staff members at all levels are expected to be ARL mission ambassadors. This person will be devoted to assisting the organization accomplish the necessary philanthropic duties that will assist in raising funds and spreading positive awareness of the organization to the community. These duties include, but are not limited to:
-Providing needed information for stories and promotions.
-Ensuring the needs of the animals and public are met whenever possible.
-Assisting with events or fundraising as needed.
Examples of Duties and Responsibilities:
- Low stress handling, restraint and triage all animals entering the shelter
- Oversees the general medical procedures for sheltered animals according to established protocols
- Gives direction on special feeding for individual animals as circumstances dictate
- Assigns medications, as stated in our protocols, and follows up with treatment logs daily
- Maintains a high level of communication with the Deputy Director to keep them abreast of the conditions of all sheltered animals
- Sets and communicates to animal welfare staff specific treatments and medication schedules for individual animals
- Reviews animal records on a daily basis to ensure that all medical or treatment records are up to date and accurate
- Trains animal welfare staff in technical skills as related to humane animal restraining and medicating/treating sheltered animals
- Schedules vet visits either in our surgery center or with our outsourced Vet partners
- Assists with adoptions when medical information is needed
- Assists with the medical care of animals in our Foster program
- Medicate orally, SQ and IM as directed by the Veterinarian
- Collect appropriate samples and perform basic laboratory tests, including decapitation for rabies testing
- Implantation of microchips
- Participate in daily rounds
- Works with the Dog & Cat Managers to ensure staff is aware of all medical conditions that need to be monitored
- Performs Euthanasia
- Properly record all drug activity, DEA logs, and statistics, as required by law and ARL’s policy
- Maintain accurate and complete medical records, including computer data entry
- Assist in the documentation of cruelty cases
- Cleaning of medical areas, equipment, kennels and cages as needed
- Maintain medical equipment
- Aging, sexing, and accurate breed identification
- Other job duties as assigned
Skills and Requirements:
- Must be 21 years of age or older
- Minimum of 3 years of experience working in veterinary medicine
- Previous experience working in shelters preferred but not required
- Eligibility for and willingness to apply for euthanasia technician certification
- Good written and oral communication skills
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills, able to multi-task and prioritize
- Dependable, reliable, and efficient
- Stay up to date on the most current shelter medicine protocols recommended by UC Davis
- Must have a valid PA driver's license
- Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds and stand for prolonged periods of time
- Must have a passion for the mission of Animal Rescue League of Berks County
Work Environment:
- The employee will regularly be exposed to the following: potentially zoonotic diseases (including rabies), large animals, wildlife, loud noises (e.g. barking dogs), and odors
- Examination, restraint, and treatment of a high volume of animals is physically and emotionally demanding
- Euthanasia is performed in the facility and assisting with best practice euthanasia is a specific job task for this position
- Exposure to odors and airborne particles including animal fur and toxic chemicals
- High levels of noise
- Can be fast-paced and stressful, working with emotional clients
- Department Hours of operation between 8am and 9pm seven days a week, flexible work hours will be required (including holidays, weekends, and overtime)
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
Overtime: This position is eligible for overtime.
Full-time, non-exempt, competitive salary, education opportunities, plus benefits, including medical, prescription, vision and dental insurance, sick leave, annual leave, and IRA plan. Will require nighttime, weekend and holiday work
Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may be required to perform other related duties to meet the on-going needs of the organization.
Animal Rescue League is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate because of race, color, creed, gender, religion, national origin, disability, age, pregnancy, genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital status, citizenship status, or sexual orientation. Accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals requiring them. EOE/M/F/D/V/SO.
How to Apply
Email a resume and cover letter to:
Director of Human Resources, Leann Quire at Lquire@berksarl.org
Read more about us by visiting our career page at: https://berksarl.org/careers/
Visit our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/berksARL/