Veterinary Technician

JOB SUMMARY

Are you looking for a career that offers excellent benefits such as: medical, dental, 401k, PTO, employee discounts, paid holidays and paid CE? Tired of working curbside, late nights, and weekends? Apply to work with our Country Critters family!

JOB DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide compassionate care to patients and clients.
• Conduct oneself in a confident and professional manner even when stressed and/or focused on individual tasks.
• Legibly keep accurate medical records in accordance to hospital policy.
• Prepare and maintain the exam rooms and treatment areas.
• Perform physical assessments; record observations legibly in files or computer.
• Effectively restrain pets even when large or difficult.
• Understands all common vaccinations and vaccination protocols and can explain to clients.
• Understands the importance of a clean and orderly facility, does not hesitate to clean or organize as part of a normal job duty.
• Maintains positive, cooperative relationships with other employees.
• Gives SQ, IM and IV injections.
• Handle client’s medical questions with confidence and direct to veterinarians when appropriate.
• Prepare estimates for procedures and discuss financial commitments with clients supporting hospital financial policies.
• Explain necessary follow-up and homecare instructions.
• Understands usage, dosage, and common side-effects for commonly used prescription drugs and can readily explain them to the clients.
• Maintain an appropriate inventory of all medical supplies as determined by the inventory control system.
• Assist the veterinarian in medical, surgical and dental procedures; prepares patients for surgery; administers anesthesia; monitors patients during surgery and recovery; administers fluids.
• Properly care for all surgical materials; keep the operating room properly stocked and prepared for surgery.
• Perform emergency procedures such as control of bleeding, resuscitation with oxygen, opening airways, and external cardiac massage.
• Perform clinical laboratory procedures such as fecal flotation exams, heartworm checks, skin scrapings, urinalysis, and fungal cultures; draws blood for laboratory analysis; maintains file of lab test results and ensures that test results are recorded in patient records.
• Effectively position for and take radiographs.
• Place IV catheters and properly care for them. Understands the use and care of IV pumps as well.
• Knows common disease states and can alert veterinarians when symptoms change or when concerns arise with hospitalized patients.
• Prepare a patient and the machine for an ultrasound procedure.
• Admit patients following hospital policy and doctors written orders.
• Discharge patients based on the veterinarian’s orders, ensuring that patients are well groomed and in a medically appropriate state. 
• May be required to cross train and perform other duties

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum two years’ experience as veterinary technician or assistant
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Minimum of 18 years old
• Veterinary Technician Certification (CVT) desirable but not required
• Genuinely enjoys working with animals and is able to deal with them even      when they are stressed, ill or in pain
• Can stay calm and efficient during a medical crisis
• Is well-spoken and approaches his/her job duties in a mature nature
• Is experienced in the teamwork approach and works well with all levels of hospital team members
• Has excellent client communication skills

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to lift and carry animals up to 40 lbs (will be assisted by other staff members in lifting animals over 40 lbs)
• Ability to sit/stand/walk for long periods of time; frequently works in a bent position.
• May be exposed to unpleasant odors, noises and animal feces. May be exposed to bites, scratches and contagious diseases
• Good visual acuity and ability to communicate

Why Apply to Country Critters Veterinary Clinic?

• PTO- Paid Time Off
• Medical, dental and 401K options
• No after-hours emergency schedules
• No Curbside Appointments
• Full-Service clinic for small-animals only
• Competitive pay
• Closed all major holidays
• Employee discounts in clinic and Rural King Stores
• In-house diagnostic equipment
• Team-focused
• Continuous Education Opportunities
• Advancement Opportunities