Veterinary Technician

Nashville Humane Association

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Job Summary

*** Opportunity exists for growth as clinic manager/Lead technician if desired***

Nashville Humane Association is a progressive, non-profit organization committed to finding responsible homes, controlling pet overpopulation, and promoting the humane treatment of animals. The position requires a collaborative, team-oriented management style, setting a professional and positive example for other staff members, volunteers, and the community.

Job Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assisting doctors and veterinary assistants with the care of patients, general cleaning, maintenance, and repair of equipment.
• Helps to manage sick foster and heartworm treatment appointments.
• Maintains complete and accurate records of clinic patients.
• Assist the Veterinarian in preparing animals for surgery and assisting in surgery as directed by the Veterinarian.
• Pre-medicate, intubate, and monitor patients during anesthesia as well as in recovery pre and post-surgery
• Record accurate drug dosages on patient records and maintain accurate drug log books
• Perform brief intake evaluations on patients and alert the veterinarian if abnormalities are detected.
• Perform basic technical skills including, but not limited to, blood draws, placing intravenous catheters, medicating animals, cystocentesis, holding animals during examination, etc.
• Performing basic in-house diagnostics including, but not limited to, heartworm test, FeLV/FIV test, fecal, PCV/TS, BG via glucometer, UA, blood smear, microfilaria check, ear cytology, etc.
• Perform radiographs using appropriate radiation safety, patient placement, and development of films (DR)
• Utilize and maintain in-house Idexx equipment including Coag machine, CBC, chemistry analyzer, Urine dipstick analyzer, sedative, snap pro machines, etc.
• Helps to ensure that all blood work is submitted to IDEXX and ready to be picked up prior to closure.
• Medicate animals within NHA once to twice daily as indicated by the veterinarian
• Communicate all information and instructions as relayed by a veterinarian to clients regarding medical issues, follow-up care, etc. at the time of adoption.
• Answer phone calls regarding medical questions from recently adopted animals to discuss with veterinarian and schedule appointments for evaluation if warranted
• Maintain up-to-date medical records with client phone calls, medical procedures, prescriptions, illnesses, etc.
• Fill prescriptions for patients as indicated by the veterinarian
• The potential exists to monitor emergency phone calls at times.
• Keep open lines of communication with a veterinarian regarding suggested improvements, changes in protocols, patient concerns, etc.
• Help to check voicemail and clinic email messages daily. Return messages in a timely manner
• Place post-surgical follow-up calls if warranted in a timely fashion and record all pertinent information in medical record
• Assist with cleaning cages for hospital patients, cleaning vet services area as well as surgical suite
• Wrap surgical packs and run autoclave
• Handle and track controlled substances for large volumes of surgical patients.
• Responsible for maintaining the “flow” of daily operations on the medical floor — ensuring that the clinic is operating as efficiently as possible.
• Effectively “team lead,” displaying a positive attitude and acting as a motivating force for all staff members.
• Solicit input and communicate any issues regarding the clinic’s administrative protocols or other operational protocols regularly with the CMO as warranted
• In addition to the above tasks and responsibilities, other related duties may be assigned. Such identification in no way restricts the employer’s right to alter the job as previously held.

Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited veterinary technology program is preferred. Experience in lieu of education is also considered.
• An associate degree in animal health technology or a certificate from a national animal welfare control school, and a degree in social services, agriculture, or allied health are considered as well.
• Must be willing to submit to initial and random drug testing.
• Must be willing to submit to a background check prior to the start date
• Qualified candidates will preferably have previous animal shelter experience.
• Qualified candidates will preferably have previous high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter anesthesia experience
• Qualified candidates will have baseline knowledge in safe and efficient handling of small animals, understand basic characteristics of animal behavior
• Candidates should possess excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Candidates should possess the ability to work well with people and thrive in a variety of high-stress and fast-paced situations
• Candidates should have the ability to keep up-to-date and meticulous digital medical records in a cloud-based system
• Candidates should have the ability to deal cheerfully and tactfully with the public, staff, adopters, donors, and volunteers with a positive attitude
• Candidates should be able to cope with death either due to surgical complications or euthanasia
• Candidates should be a certified euthanasia technician (if not a licensed veterinary technician)
• Candidates should have the ability to rapidly and accurately process information
• Candidates should have the ability to delegate tasks as well as be a team player
• Candidates should have the ability to recognize a need for assistance and ask for help
• Candidates should have the ability to cope with frustrating situations and remain calm
• Candidates should feel comfortable with drug calculations and maintaining drug logs
• Candidates should feel comfortable performing in-house diagnostics and maintaining equipment (training provided if warranted)
• Candidates should feel comfortable using PC operating systems, Google Drive, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and cloud-based medical record-keeping systems (training provided for cloud-based record-keeping systems).
• Candidates should be able to use appropriate safety equipment for fractious or feral animals (training available if warranted) – the use of safety equipment is mandatory.

Additional Information

Benefits

How to Apply

Email manderson@nashvillehumane.org 

Details

• Date Posted: August 13, 2024
• Type: Full-Time
• Job Function: Other
• Service Area: Animal Welfare
• Start Date: 08/26/2024
• Salary Range: $40,000-$55,000
• Working Hours: 40 hours a week, days vary