Certified Veterinary Technician

Petco•Pottstown, PA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Certified Veterinary Technician provides veterinary care to patients at a Vetco Total Care full-service hospital and customer care to their owners. The technician represents Petco’s mission and values, helps set the tone for the hospital’s technical and customer support team, and contributes to a cohesive, motivated team and an efficient hospital operation. Patient needs come first, and team members are expected to create exceptional patient and customer experiences and resolve issues promptly. The role includes assisting veterinarians with routine and emergency appointments, surgery, dentistry, euthanasia, and inpatient treatment. The technician gathers and records patient histories, vital signs, and visit details in the electronic medical record; supports procedures and anesthesia monitoring; administers treatments as directed; communicates with clients; and helps maintain the hospital, inventory, and records. The role also contributes to staff training and may provide phone and front-desk backup. Most duties take place in a Vetco Total Care full-service hospital. The position involves regular direct contact with clients and pets and requires bending, kneeling, lifting up to 30 pounds as necessary, and standing for long periods. Patient-care activities are directly supervised by veterinarians and the Hospital Office Manager or Hospital Leader on Duty. For overall supervision, the technician takes direction from the Hospital Office Manager. The position has no immediate supervisory duties.

Requirements

Completed college or college-equivalent education required to become a Credentialed Veterinary Technician in the state where the hospital is located.
At least 1 year of previous experience as a Veterinary Technician or working in a veterinary practice.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Compassionate and sympathetic manner, with the ability to maintain a professional attitude and demeanor during emotional and stressful situations.
Telephone and computer skills.
Ability to work as a team player, learn new techniques and treatments, offer creative ideas, and accept change.
Ability to bend, kneel, lift up to 30 pounds as necessary, and stand for long periods.
Ability to perform the listed duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation.

Responsibilities

Greet clients and patients arriving for appointments or walk-ins, escort them to exam rooms, obtain weights and vital signs, and record the information in the electronic medical record.
Obtain and document thorough patient histories and begin documentation of patient visits in the electronic medical record.
Assist veterinarians with routine and emergency appointments, surgery, dentistry, and euthanasia under direct supervision.
Restrain patients, obtain and process laboratory samples, handle and dispense medications as directed by the veterinarian, and maintain electronic medical records.
Schedule appointments, communicate with and educate clients, relay test results to doctors and clients, maintain inventory and client/patient records, and manage accounts receivable.
Prepare patients for surgical and dental procedures; support induction and monitor anesthetized patients by checking and recording vital parameters under veterinary direction.
Monitor patients during recovery and prepare them for discharge to their owners or transfer to an overnight care facility as needed.
Provide in-hospital treatments for sick patients, including injectable and oral medications and intravenous therapies.
Keep patients clean, watered, and fed when indicated and directed by a veterinarian, and safely walk canine patients when needed for elimination.
Participate in training new staff members and disseminate knowledge as required.
Keep the hospital neat and clean by performing regular cleaning as needed and according to a predetermined maintenance schedule.
Perform additional duties as assigned and provide backup phone and front-desk support as needed.