(Registered) VETERINARY TECHNICIAN 2

City of Toronto•Toronto, ON

7d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a permanent, full-time position for a Veterinary Technician 2 within the Municipal Licensing & Standards, MLS Toronto Animal Services division. The role involves providing daily care and humane handling of animals, administering health requirements, preparing and administering medications, performing physical and behavioral assessments, collecting biological samples, assisting veterinarians, performing routine laboratory procedures, and maintaining accurate records. The position also includes customer service aspects such as handling animal intake, claims, searches, adoptions, and registrations, as well as participating in public education programs and promoting responsible pet ownership. The role requires utilizing computer systems and working in a safe, efficient, and courteous manner.

Requirements

Post-secondary education in animal care discipline (i.e. Animal Health Technician or Veterinary Technology program).
Considerable experience working directly with dogs, cats or small animals in a shelter and/or veterinary clinic setting.
Experience in the use of a computerized records and data management system (i.e. Chameleon) and computerized software packages (i.e. MS Office Suite (i.e. Word, Excel), email, etc.
Must possess and be able to maintain a valid Province of Ontario Class "G" Driver's License and have the ability to obtain and maintain City's equipment operating permits and requirements.
Required to be immunized against rabies and have a titre test every two years to determine immunity level and if needed, receive booster vaccinations.
Good physical condition, agility and strength, including ability to stand for long period of time while cleaning and feeding animals, managing and lifting animals, including large dogs and heavy articles (weighing up to 25 kgs).
A good understanding of the Canadian Council of Animal Care (CCAC) guidelines, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) regulations and the Canadian Standards of Care in Animal Shelters.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task to effectively carry out the various duties and responsibilities of this position, with minimal supervision and direction.
Ability to work in a customer service environment with excellent interpersonal and conflict management skills, dealing effectively with all levels of staff, the public and external contacts in person in a courteous manner, by telephone and in writing.
An excellent understanding of usage, dosage and common side-effects for commonly used prescription drugs and can readily explain them to the veterinarian and superiors.
An excellent understanding of common diseases and can alert veterinarian and superiors when symptoms arise or when concerns arise with animals.
An excellent understanding of all common vaccinations and vaccination protocols for dogs and cats.
A good understanding of animal behaviour and the ability to handle a wide variety of animals (domestic and wildlife species), including injured and possibly dangerous animals; utilizing humane tools, equipment, technical devices and techniques, (i.e. crematorium)
A good understanding of animal services programs, regulations and legislation pertaining to animals (e.g. Municipal Code Chapter 349, Dog Owners' Liability Act, etc.)
Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing at all levels of the organization.
Ability to work in a highly demanding work environment with many competing priorities and deadlines.
Ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships with employees and management.
Able to work outdoors in all weather conditions and in exposure to unpleasant odours, noise, dander and animal feces.
Ability to work rotating shifts (day, afternoon, night, weekend and holidays) and standby as required. May be required to do shift/overtime and weekend work in conformance with the Collective Agreement.
Must be familiar with requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations for the safe performance of his/her duties and responsibilities or capable of obtaining familiarity of same.

Responsibilities

Provides daily care and humane handling of animals including, feeding, watering, grooming, maintaining sanitary conditions in the shelter; provides compassionate care to all animals.
Triages animals as they arrive in the shelter. Administers animal health requirements, flea treatments and parasite control.
Prepares and administers medication including giving subcutaneous and intramuscular injections, vaccines and treatments, as prescribed by the veterinarian.
Performs physical assessments and behavioural assessments. Records observation. Identifies and reports health concerns of animals.
Collects, prepares biological samples, such as blood, feces, urine and hair/skin specimens, for external laboratory testing, culture or microscopic examination, and operates a pathological incinerator.
Performs routine internal laboratory procedures such as fecal floatation exams and skin scraping, to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems.
Assists the veterinarian during examination of animals, providing effective restraint as needed in order to work safely and effectively.
Assists and/or performs euthanasia under the direction of the veterinarian.
Obtains animal identification information by examination of animals and records including breed, sex, age, markings, etc., and records information and updates database.
Cleans and/or sterilizes equipment and work areas to ensure the highest standard of cleanliness and sanitation, following health and safety regulations and protocols.
Assists the Shelter Veterinary Technician to maintain medical and shelter inventories and supplies including equipment and other assets.
Provides services including animal intake, claims, searches, adoptions, registrations, etc., including handling of receipt transactions, as well as transporting animals to other locations.
Completes reports (i.e., Incident Report) and maintains accurate records for animal inventory, health, medications, treatments, procedures and behavioural history related to assigned duties and responsibilities.
Participates in the delivery of public education programs and animal services events.
Promotes responsible pet ownership through the delivery of animal services programs and initiatives.
Utilizes computer systems and other information and communication technologies related to animal services.
Performs work in a safe, efficient and courteous manner.