Veterinary Technician Senior

City of Jacksonville • Jacksonville, FL

20h

About The Position

The Veterinary Technician Senior performs lead-level technical work for the Animal Care and Protective Services Department. The role includes maintaining kennel facilities; caring for and feeding sheltered animals; performing related clerical and customer-support work; and supporting veterinarians during routine medical, surgical, and necropsy procedures. The position trains, plans, coordinates, guides, and reviews the work of others. Work is performed under general supervision, with some latitude to set priorities and select appropriate methods within established procedures.

Requirements

• Three years of education and/or technical experience in veterinary support work; successful completion of the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) to become certified as a Veterinary Technician may substitute for one year of experience.
• Obtain and maintain Euthanasia Technician Certification before completing probation.
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license during employment.
• Qualify for, obtain, and maintain a City of Jacksonville public driver certification.
• Read, comprehend, and follow written and oral instructions in English.
• Knowledge of animal handling and care routines, animal identification, veterinary drugs and equipment, animal intake protocols, customer service policy, and euthanasia practices.
• Skill in using animal-care equipment and handling large, unpredictable, or potentially dangerous animals weighing 50 pounds or more.
• Ability to administer feed, medicines, tests, and injections; set up and monitor anesthesia; assist with routine dental scalings; and assemble and operate IV fluid equipment.
• Ability to lift, handle, or restrain animals weighing 50 pounds or more.
• Ability to make visual observations of animals, collect and record technical data using a personal computer, and perform basic arithmetic.
• Ability to work independently, communicate effectively, establish effective working relationships, and train and guide others.
• Ability to perform euthanasia through technical administration of required chemicals and decapitate deceased animals suspected of having rabies.
• The position is safety-sensitive and subject to pre-employment, random, and other drug/alcohol testing under the City’s Drug Free Workplace Policy.

Responsibilities

• Collect blood samples and administer drugs and vaccines under the direction of a veterinarian.
• Clean and disinfect medical and surgical facilities, kennels, cages, receiving areas, and holding areas.
• Feed and care for sheltered animals, including animals being treated for illness.
• Perform in-house laboratory tests, including tests for parvovirus, FeLV/FIV, heartworms, fecals, skin scrapes, fungal cultures, and difils.
• Set up anesthetic equipment according to patient weight; intubate, maintain, and monitor patients under general anesthesia.
• Perform routine medical procedures, including taking vital signs and operating autoclaves.
• Prepare for and assist veterinarians with routine dental scalings and medical procedures.
• Prepare practical surgery lists for healthy, vaccinated animals and follow instructions for routine surgical procedures.
• Train, plan, organize, guide, and review the work of co-workers.
• Retrieve and place animals in appropriate areas for holding, redemption, medical examinations, and vaccinations.
• Use and maintain laboratory equipment.
• Observe and record information about animals suspected of rabies or other contagious or infectious diseases.
• Prepare, maintain, monitor, and retrieve animal records, reports, and medical histories using a personal computer.
• Maintain inventory of drugs, medical equipment and supplies, food, and cleaning and care supplies.
• Perform humane euthanasia on unclaimed, unadoptable animals.
• Maintain facility cleanliness and transport animals to offsite locations.
• Provide customers with information about animals and adoption policies.
• Collect redemption and adoption fees and maintain records of money collected.
• Respond to and resolve complaints related to animal care.
• Report to and perform assigned duties during emergency shelter operations; this may involve working around the clock for several days on short notice.
• Perform related work as required.

Benefits

• Four weeks off during the first year of employment.
• Twelve paid holidays and a personal leave day.
• Low- and no-cost health insurance options.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Flexible spending plans.
• Eligibility for Federal Student Loan Forgiveness after ten years of public service and on-time payments.

What This Job Offers

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