Veterinary Technician

City of Converse•Converse, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Veterinary Technician works under general supervision and is responsible for complex medical care of animals at the City’s Animal Care Facility, including assisting the veterinarian with treatment plans and surgical procedures. The role helps develop and implement wellness protocols and provides routine wellness, preventive, and diagnostic care. It also involves cleaning and sanitizing the facility and assisting other staff as needed. The technician communicates with coworkers, members of the public, and others to carry out essential duties. Work takes place in a kennel environment with frequent exposure to hazardous materials and conditions, unfavorable fumes and odors, animal body fluids, and infectious diseases. The position requires regular, on-site, in-person attendance and may require work outside normal hours and on-call availability during emergency periods. Duties must be performed safely, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED, with reading, writing, and mathematical calculation skills at a level commonly associated with high school graduation or equivalent.
One year of experience in animal health care assisting a veterinarian, animal control, or animal care, or licensure as a Veterinary Technician.
Maintain a clear and valid Texas Class C Motor Vehicle Operator’s License and a satisfactory driving record.
Successfully complete required background checks, pre-employment medical or physical tests, drug testing, and driver’s license check.
Be certified as a State of Texas Certified Euthanasia Technician or obtain certification within 120 days of employment.
Ability to humanely euthanize animals and dispose of them properly.
Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions, request clarification when needed, and follow departmental policies, rules, regulations, and laws.
Knowledge of general office procedures and ability to operate office equipment, including a calculator, fax machine, and copier, and use computers with Microsoft Office products, Internet Explorer, and Animal Care Facility programs.
Ability to provide quality customer service and maintain effective, courteous, and professional working relationships with coworkers, other City departments, outside agencies, and the public.
Ability to assist with training personnel in basic responsibilities and animal handling.
Ability to perform required duties and be available before and after scheduled hours and for callback as needed.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, run, bend, reach, stretch, push, pull, move around, and remain upright for extended periods; lift or move objects up to 50 pounds and assist with team lifts for heavier animals.
Ability to work effectively under pressure, stress, and deadlines; outdoors in inclement weather, including high and low temperatures, high humidity, rain, and snow; and in enclosed spaces.
Ability to understand, learn, remember, and communicate job-related information and to understand, use, and speak English effectively.
Good hearing and listening abilities and motor coordination sufficient for precise movements, including driving and responding to visual, auditory, and other stimuli.
Ability to work safely around animals, including aggressive animals, and tolerance for animal allergies and exposure to cat and dog feces.

Responsibilities

Assist the veterinarian in restraining animals for clinical examinations and with treatment plans and surgical procedures.
Provide emergency first aid and routine wellness, preventive, diagnostic, and basic medical care to shelter animals.
Screen animals for sterilization surgery, draw blood samples, and collect and examine fecal samples for parasites and disease.
Bathe, dip, and dry animals.
Prepare, sterilize, and maintain surgical packs; schedule surgeries; and scrub and disinfect instruments before sterilization.
Sedate animals, assist with and maintain anesthesia, prepare incision areas, assist during surgery, and monitor recovery from anesthesia.
Examine animals before discharge and advise owners about post-surgical care.
Maintain an inventory of medical supplies and prepare and maintain required facility records.
Assist with daily cleaning and sanitizing of animal holding areas, and daily feeding and watering of shelter animals.
Assist with humane euthanasia and proper disposal of unwanted, dangerous, vicious, or injured animals as authorized by a supervisor or department procedures.
Assist the public with adoption and surrender inquiries and relay concerns to Animal Control Officers for potential service calls.
Follow City and Department policies, procedures, safety rules, training, and supervisor instructions; use required personal protective devices; and maintain a clean, safe work environment.
Communicate effectively and professionally with supervisors, coworkers, the public, and others; address inquiries and issues; and report problems, concerns, and questions through the chain of command.
Use good judgment, initiative, and diligence; safeguard City property and report needed repairs; maintain confidentiality; dress in accordance with City policy; and perform other assigned duties.
Assist in training personnel on basic responsibilities and animal handling, and occasionally assist with offsite events.
Be punctual and available for work outside scheduled hours and for emergency callback as needed.