Clinic Veterinary Technician

Houston Humane Society•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Clinic Veterinary Technician helps provide medical services to community animals and shelter animals. The technician assists with examinations, vaccinations, testing, preventive care, and treatment of animals scheduled for health issues or injuries, and assists surgery technicians when needed. The role also includes assisting clients, entering medical data into AviMark, and working with the team to provide efficient, professional clinic and surgery services while maintaining a positive image of the Houston Humane Society. The technician prepares examination areas, rooms, carts, and supplies; sees patients; records weights and temperatures; assists veterinarians; performs client-requested services and tests; documents services and treatment in AviMark; communicates results and veterinarian instructions to clients; and maintains clean, organized, and secure examination areas and supplies. The technician also administers prescribed care and medication to shelter animals, monitors their condition, records treatment, and escalates concerns to a veterinarian or manager as appropriate. Euthanasia-related duties include completing required paperwork, placing it for pickup by the Intake Coordinator, cleaning the room and table, and securing drugs and supplies. Before leaving each day, the technician must check every animal, ensure dogs are not lying in waste, confirm animals have water and have received required medication and treatment, and ensure each occupied cage has paperwork. The technician may also assist in other shelter areas, including surgery and intake, and perform additional duties that support clinic operations and animal and client needs.

Requirements

High school education or GED and Veterinary Assistant certification or higher; alternatively, a minimum of one year of on-the-job training in a veterinary clinic environment while performing veterinary technician responsibilities may be considered.
Fluent English speaking, reading, and writing skills, with basic computer data-entry skills.
Ability to examine and assess animal health, draw blood, read heartworm and other tests, administer vaccinations, prepare veterinarian-prescribed medications, and communicate pet-health information and instructions to clients.
Ability to assist other technicians and veterinarians as needed.
Ability to safely restrain animals and lift patients and carry equipment weighing up to 30 pounds without assistance.
Ability to stand and walk for long hours on hard surfaces and to bend and lift for extended periods.
Ability to work under stress in noisy, fast-paced conditions.
Commitment to the values and goals of the Houston Humane Society and support for the clinic’s mission to provide affordable community animal medical services.
Proficiency in managing multiple tasks, organizing data, maintaining detailed records, and managing time effectively.
Strong written and verbal communication skills for reports, correspondence, and engagement with staff and the public.
Constructive outlook and ability to manage multiple responsibilities in a busy setting.
Protect organizational information and maintain privacy in internal communications.
Ability to address issues promptly and proactively engage in projects and tasks.
Ability to collaborate, support coworkers, and contribute to a team-oriented environment.
Flexibility and adaptability when priorities and job duties change.
Professional conduct with the public, partners, and colleagues.

Responsibilities

Prepare the examination area and rooms, set up supply carts, and prepare vaccinations and syringes for the day.
See patients in order of arrival and appointment; document each animal’s weight and temperature.
Assist the veterinarian during examinations and perform services and tests requested by clients.
Enter medical services, diagnoses, treatments, and other required information into AviMark.
Discuss services performed, test results, and veterinarian instructions with clients; answer questions or refer them to the veterinarian.
Clean examination tables and rooms between animals and clean the examination area, equipment, and supplies at the end of the day.
Administer prescribed medications and treatments to shelter animals in the clinic and service center; document medication and dates in medical records.
Check with the veterinarian when an animal is not responding to medication or its health is not improving; arrange for examination the following day if the veterinarian has left, and notify a manager about an animal in critical condition that may need euthanasia.
Store supplies and equipment appropriately and secure medications, vaccinations, tests, products, and drugs.
Assist in other shelter areas as needed, including surgery and intake.
Complete required euthanasia paperwork, place it for pickup by the Intake Coordinator, clean the table and room, and secure drugs and supplies.
Before leaving for the day, check all animals; ensure dogs are not lying in urine or feces, all animals have water and have received medication and treatment, and each occupied cage has paperwork.
Perform additional duties as needed to ensure efficient clinic operation and meet animal and client needs.
Safely restrain animals during examinations and medical procedures and handle sick, diseased, aggressive, and fearful animals humanely.