Veterinary Tech - Part Time

City of Midland•Tx, TX

9d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Veterinary Tech performs complex technical work assisting a veterinarian with medical care for animals at the city’s animal shelter. The role applies knowledge of animal care, handling, husbandry, and veterinary practices. It may also include cleaning dog runs, cat cages, and other shelter areas. The position assists with surgeries and medical procedures, prepares and monitors animals, administers prescribed medications, conducts health checks and routine diagnostic tests, and documents animal health information in a computer database. It also maintains clinic equipment, inventory, controlled-substance and surgery logs, and clean and sterile clinical areas. The employee provides animal care and kennel cleaning as directed, assists with euthanasia as required, and helps develop and maintain the shelter emergency plan. Other duties may be assigned by a supervisor or manager. The role requires interacting with the public and providing humane animal care. Work may involve exposure to seasonal temperatures, traffic hazards, chemicals, detergents, noise, animal bites, and animal-transmitted diseases. The position requires lifting up to 50 pounds on occasion and regularly lifting bags of materials or animals.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent; the posting describes this education as preferred.
Ability to interact with the public and provide humane care for animals.
Some knowledge of recognizing animal diseases.
Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
Ability to read and understand manuals and state and other regulations, record work activities, complete required records, and provide information to the public.
Knowledge of equipment used to restrain animals, such as catch poles, cat grabbers, traps, and cages.
Math skills to compute and maintain records and measure chemicals.
Ability to develop correspondence with state and local agencies and maintain records.
Intermediate computer skills, including Microsoft Office, and ability to learn shelter software such as PetPoint.
Valid Texas Driver's License required.
Euthanasia Certification required within 120 days.
Ability to sit, stand, and drive a vehicle to and from various work sites.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds on occasion and regularly lift bags of materials or animals.

Nice To Haves

Graduate of an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) program or an associate's degree.
Three years of experience as a veterinary technician or assistant, preferably in a shelter environment; other relevant medical and leadership experience may be considered.
Licensed Veterinary Technician in the state of Texas.

Responsibilities

Assist the veterinarian with spay/neuter surgeries, including sedating and preparing animals and monitoring their health and vital signs during procedures and recovery.
Regulate patient temperatures using heated tables, pads, water bottles, blankets, and towels.
Prepare animals for surgery by clipping and scrubbing surgical fields, minimizing tissue trauma, maintaining clean fields, and positioning animals appropriately.
Administer prescribed oral and injectable medications; calculate medication dosages and volumes; assess pain and understand methods of pain control.
Prepare for and assist with routine and emergency medical procedures, including wound wrapping, blood draws, nail trimming, subcutaneous fluids, injections, IV catheter placement, fecal tests, microscopic exams, grooming, and gland expression.
Perform daily health checks, review sick slips, examine and medicate animals as needed, and move animals to appropriate isolation areas when required.
Set up and maintain respiratory and heart monitors, heating pads, autoclaves, surgical instruments, oxygen machines, and anesthetic equipment.
Examine and process animals, documenting health information, vaccinations, minor medical attention, veterinarian notes, microchip presence, and animal descriptions in a computer database.
Perform routine diagnostic tests, including parvo, heartworm, fecal flotation, skin scrapings, urinalysis, and fungal cultures.
Prepare rabies specimens for health department testing and assist with euthanasia as required.
Clean kennels and provide animal care as directed by shelter management.
Clean and disinfect the surgery center kennel and health care areas, and organize, clean, and sterilize surgical instruments and packs.
Maintain clinic inventory and assist with ordering supplies and medications.
Maintain surgery and controlled-substance logs and secure controlled drugs in accordance with Drug Enforcement Agency and state board specifications.
Perform computer data entry and record keeping according to established protocol.
Remain productive during slow periods by seeking additional duties such as cleaning and stocking.
Develop and maintain the shelter emergency plan.
Perform other duties assigned by a supervisor or manager within the department or division.