Job Details
JOB SUMMARY
Reporting directly to the Operations Manager and Veterinarian, responsible for providing paraprofessional health care to animals within the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, by administering medical care to the animals and supporting the Animal Care and Animal Behavior teams. Level I of II in Animal Health Technician.
EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED
* Provides health care to all shelter animals including vaccinating, de-worming, weighing, photographing, performing diagnostic tests and administering medications
* Supervises, trains, directs, and provides feedback on daily tasks of Volunteers and Community Service workers, and assists as needed
* Administers health checks of all animals, verifying animal locations, administering needed medications, and documenting any concerns for follow-up
* Assists veterinarian with examinations and medical procedures, including spay/neuter surgeries, microchipping, and performs medical treatments as directed
* Prepares animals for surgery, administers medication, and monitors animal vitals through the surgery and recovery process
* Communicates post-surgery and medical instructions to fosters and new adopters
* Utilizes shelter software to maintain information about animals, including medical histories
* Determines disposition on all animals, handles fractious animals, and assigns handling difficulty levels based on behavior and medical conditions
* Provides medication to sick and injured animals, monitors rabies quarantine animals, euthanizes animals as necessary
* Identifies animals that are candidates for outside rescue organizations or foster care
* Provides medical care advisement to foster homes, including filling medications, as directed by Veterinarian
* Transports animals to other facilities as needed
* Follows all safety measures and policies, including proper animal restraints and reading animal behavioral cues, and promptly reports any safety incidents to leadership
* Performs clerical and customer service duties related to the intake and processing of animals for impoundment, adoption, and redemption
* Ensures building security upon opening and closing, cash security, and maintains accurate inventory of medical supplies, re-stocking as necessary
* Serves as animal services supervisor for weekend coverage
* Performs special duties as assigned
Surgery Assignment
* Trains staff on technical skill such as IV catheter placement, dental cleaning, surgery protocols, monitoring and endotracheal tube placement
* Consults with Veterinarian on daily surgery schedule, and approves additions as needed
* Provides daily list of surgical patients to Animal Health Technicians
* Prepares surgical room with all supplies needed for surgical procedures, maintains inventory of surgical and medical supplies and equipment
* Assists with emergency procedures such as CPR, IV catheter placement and drug administration, and placement of endotracheal tubes
* Assists veterinarian with examinations and medical procedures, including spay/neuter surgeries, microchipping, and other surgical procedures
* Monitors animal vitals through the surgery and recovery process, and provides post-op care, such as wound cleaning and bandaging
ORGANIZATION RELATIONSHIPS
* Reports directly to - Operations Manager and Veterinarian
* Direct Reports - Yes, volunteers and interns, Animal Health Specialist (indirect)
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
* Position involves prolonged standing, walking, twisting, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, and other fine motor repetitive motions
* Position requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine motor coordination
* Position involves lifting and carrying of animals and equipment weighing up to fifty (50) pounds, or up to one hundred (100) pounds with assistance, and exertion of up to twenty-five (25) pounds of force to move objects
* Ability to hear and/or see alert cues regarding animal and staff security
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
* Work tasks are conducted indoors and frequently outdoors
* May work outside in inclement weather, including extreme heat, cold and wet conditions
* Frequent handling of animals, including contact with waste and blood
* Exposure to unpleasant smells and a noisy and wet environment associated with a shelter
* Frequent exposure animals that are agitated or injured that may attempt to bite or scratch
IRREGULAR HOURS
* Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays is a schedule requirement
* Essential personnel for emergency situations; discretion of department director
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified in this position. This job description is subject to change as the needs and requirements of the job change.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
* High school diploma and two (2) years of Veterinary Technician experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
* Knowledge of animal health and well-being, including nutritional needs, common animal diseases and behavioral issues, proper and safe handling, and restraints, caring for sick/injured/fractious animals, and pharmaceuticals commonly used in treatment of animal conditions
* Ability to identify signs and symptoms of animal illnesses, injuries, and behavioral issues, draw blood from animals, perform injections, administer medications and perform basic veterinary testing procedures
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required within thirty (30) days of employment
* Valid driver's license
Required within 120 days (4 months) of employment
* Euthanasia certificate
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
* Associates degree in a related field
* Two (2) years of animal welfare experience
* Advanced knowledge of dog and cat body language cues
* Licensed Veterinary Technician
EMPLOYMENT TESTING
Employment is contingent on passing any post-offer pre-employment screening as listed below:
* Criminal background check: Yes
* Motor Vehicle Record check: Yes
* Drug screening: Yes
* Physical exam: No
* Psychological exam: No
* Additional: N/A
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
A Williamson County online application (resumes alone are not sufficient) must be received before the position is closed. Positions are open until filled, subject to close at any time after five (5) business days. The Human Resources Department is located at 100 Wilco Way, Georgetown, TX 78626. Phone (512) ###-#### or visit our website at www.wilcotx.gov/hr.
Williamson County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). If you require an accommodation in order to apply for a position, please request assistance from the Human Resources Department.
TOBACCO FREE WORKPLACE POLICY
Williamson County is a tobacco free workplace. The use of tobacco and non-tobacco products such as vapor, e-cigarettes and the use of chewing tobacco or like products is prohibited on all Williamson County premises. Employees who violate this policy are subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.