Veterinary Assistant/Technician

Salt Lake County • Salt Lake City, UT

24d • Hybrid

About The Position

Entry-level position assisting the Veterinarian or Experienced Technician with daily duties in the treatment of sick or injured animals. This position sets the speed, tone, and flow of the surgical team, ensuring efficiency and cohesion during every procedure. The ideal candidate is a self-starter, capable of critical thinking and working collaboratively with the team to ensure the highest standard of care for every patient.

Requirements

• Six (6) months as a Vet Assistant or Two (2) years’ experience as a Vet Tech, or other closely related field, OR an equivalent combination of related education and experience.
• Must receive a verified negative test result on a mandatory drug test before starting in this position.
• Will be subject to random alcohol and drug testing.
• May be subject to post-accident and reasonable suspicion alcohol and drug testing.
• Knowledge of expression of symptoms and/or diseases in animals.
• Knowledge of current infectious disease control methods.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques of humane animal care and handling.
• Knowledge of radiation safety.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of current veterinary medicine and animal care.
• Knowledge of animal nutrition.
• Knowledge of aseptic surgical techniques, anesthesia techniques, and euthanasia techniques.
• Experience with animal phlebotomy and subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous injection.
• Recognize a variety of animal species, breeds, and related behavioral and health characteristics.
• Utilize manual dexterity skills and eye-hand coordination.
• Read, interpret, and apply disease prevention, control, and eradication practices.
• Safely handle medical instruments and equipment.
• Accurately enter data into modern computer applications and write/print legibly.
• Position requires standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling loads of 10 - 40 pounds on regular basis and up to 80 pounds on occasion, stooping, bending, squatting, and reaching on a frequent basis.
• Incumbent will be frequently exposed to animals that may bite, kick, scratch or be diseased (including rabies), as well as fur, dander, unpleasant odors, loud noises, unsanitary conditions, dust, gases, and chemicals.
• Incumbent will be frequently exposed to blood, new and used needles, scalpels and other sharp instruments and contaminants.
• The successful applicant must pass a required background check through fingerprinting and enrollment in the continuous RAP back (Record of Arrest and Prosecution Back) program in accordance with current County Human Resources policy requirements.

Responsibilities

• Monitors animal population for any change in behavior, appetite, water/food intake, or any sign of illness; reports unusual situations to the veterinarian.
• Provides treatment and administers medications as directed.
• Husbandry and nursing care of shelter animals.
• Ensures clinic areas, hospital area, cages, pharmacy/lab area are re-stocked, clean, and organized.
• Verifies all animals have been vaccinated, microchipped and spayed/neutered prior to adoption.
• Safe handling and administration of vaccines, injectable medications, and sharps disposal.
• Restrains animals for exam and assists in advanced treatments and routine diagnostics. Including radiographs and collecting samples for routine laboratory test.
• Prepares samples for testing at diagnostic laboratory.
• Surgical instrument care, preparation and sterilization of surgical packs.
• Daily disinfection and maintenance of surgical suite and equipment.
• Ensures surgical laundry is washed and prepared for use.
• Performs routine diagnostics, including radiographs, in-house laboratory sample collection and testing.
• Prepares routine samples for testing at the diagnostic laboratory.
• Surgical instrument care, preparation, and sterilization of surgical packs.
• Daily disinfection and maintenance of surgical suite, equipment, and supplies.
• Administration of anesthetic medication by inhalation/intubation or intravenous injection, assists veterinarian during surgery as needed.
• Surgical preparations and positioning of patient.
• Monitors animals during and after surgical procedures and provides appropriate nursing care to ensure animals are kept comfortable to optimize recovery.
• Provide basic dental cleaning and charting.
• Responsible for handling and documenting of controlled substances and following all policies and procedures related to such.
• Dispenses prescribed medications and discharges animals to owners, providing at home care instructions.
• Provides advanced at home care instruction and demonstration for fosters and adopters.
• Performs humane euthanasia in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Maintaining medical records for individual animals, including associated charges for services.

Benefits

• 12 Holidays
• up to 24 vacation days
• 12 sick days
• one personal day every year
• Retirement options for hybrid pension/401(k) or 401(k) only with a 10% contribution
• Medical coverage, including a 100% county paid premium option
• Dental and Vision coverage, including coverage for adult designees
• Health Savings account with a county contribution up to $1200/year
• Flexible Spending Account
• 100% county-paid Long-Term Disability and Short-Term Disability option
• Professional Development, including professional membership fees paid
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Onsite medical clinic
• childcare
• gym
• hospital insurance
• pet insurance
• auto and home insurance
• discounts at County facilities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed