Job Details
Job Title: Veterinary Technician
Job Status: Full-time; Non-Exempt (Hourly: 40 hours/week)
Reports To: Veterinarian & Chief Medical Officer
The Humane Society of Chittenden County is looking for an experienced Veterinary Technician to join our team!
HSCC is committed to the well-being of animals and their families - our mission is to ensure that every pet has a loving home and that every pet owner has access to the resources they need to give those pets happy, healthy lives. You would be joining a dedicated, passionate, and collaborative team in an environment that fosters compassion and empathy for all living things, and a workplace culture that supports this ethos.
HSCC's Community Pet Clinic (CPC) provides low-cost veterinary care services to owned cats and dogs. The CPC is one of HSCC's Surrender Prevention Programs, which help keep animals in their homes with the people who love them whenever possible. Our mission is to support families and their pets when affording or obtaining medical care is a challenge, or who are looking for a more cost-effective way to provide their pet with basic preventative services.
Position Summary:
The Veterinary Technician is responsible for assisting with the Community Pet Clinic and meeting the health care needs of HSCC's dogs, cats, and small animals. The Veterinary Technician will provide clinical and administrative support for public veterinary wellness programs and animals in HSCC's care.
Essential Functions:
- Assists with spay/neuter for both shelter and community animals, including monitoring of patients from induction through recovery, preparation of induction drugs, supplies, and instruments, restraint of animals, surgical prep of animals, and cleaning of the surgery suite
- Assists veterinarian as needed at our satellite location in the Old North End of Burlington to perform community wellness and sick pet services for Community Pet Clinic clients
- Assists with in-person client care for Community Pet Clinic clients for spay/neuter and wellness clinics, including answering the clinic cell phone during open hours
- Maintains accurate computer and paper records for medications and treatments for shelter animals, enters data into ShelterLuv software database regarding animal care, medication, surgeries, and follow up
- Maintain accurate records, including entry of service items, invoicing, and payments in the Community Pet Clinic software (Daysmart)
- Assists veterinarians in dentistry and other surgeries beyond spay/neuter, as needed
- Assists with transport of animals from sending agencies- including record review prior to transport, check in examinations of transport animals, and medical data entry
- Assists with physical exams, vaccinations, and blood testing on animals as part of the animal intake process for the shelter
- Performs basic animal medical assessment and triage to assist the veterinarian as needed
- Administers treatments/medications to shelter animals and completes minor procedures such as suture removal
- Assists in implementing treatment plans for HSCC animals based on protocols from Vet of Record
- Assist in managing isolation protocols to minimize disease risk and exposure, and maintain shelter population health
- Prepares and interprets basic diagnostic tests
- Assists with care of animals in the shelter by cleaning cages, feeding, and other tasks as necessary
- Helps with training of volunteers and animal care staff as needed
- Assists with medical care of animals in foster- including vaccination appointments and responding to medical concerns/questions as needed
- Assists veterinarian and/or Lead Vet Tech with euthanasia as needed
- Assists with taking inventory weekly for Lead Vet Tech to place orders
- Performs duties such as laundry, cleaning instruments, and other tasks as needed
- Maintains solid attendance and punctuality
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Exemplary customer service skills
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to multi-task and prioritize job duties in a busy and constantly changing work environment
- Ability to use sound judgment when dealing with confidential information
- Proven emotional intelligence, integrity, and work ethic is required
- Ability to remain calm and level-headed in a sometimes stressful and emotional work environment
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
- Detail-oriented and able to exercise good judgment when dealing with animal-related concerns
Required Qualifications:
- A minimum of 1 year previous applicable work experience in a veterinary clinic and/or animal shelter clinic required; previous surgical assistance experience required
- Veterinary Technician Certification or significant related experience desired
- Proficiency with intubation, IV catheter placement, and injection techniques
- Direct animal care experience is required: restraining animals, cleaning enclosures, and administering medications
- Comfortable monitoring anesthesia and assisting with surgery
- Experience maintaining computerized medical records