Credentialled Veterinary Technician CVT

About the role

This position improves patient care quality by assisting veterinarians with patient care and treatment. Technicians monitor hospitalized pets, prepare prescriptions, perform routine, in-house lab work, educate clients regarding veterinary care and procedures, and assist with surgical procedures.

Responsibilities

• Maintains and uses an appropriate level of veterinary medical knowledge.
• Takes advantage of in-house educational materials and continuing education provided by the hospital.
• Maintains state-required continuing education requirements.
• Keeps abreast of over-the-counter products and their usage, including flea-control products, skin products, vitamins, and pet foods.
• Provides compassionate patient care, including keeping patients clean, dry, and comfortable.
• Alerts veterinarian to changes in patient’s condition.
• Recognizes patients with contagious diseases and follows applicable procedures.
• Medicates patients as required.
• Performs basic emergency care, CPR, and intensive care as needed.
• Animal Handling
• Restrains animals in a safe, efficient, and compassionate manner during examinations and procedures.
• Assists with the transport of animals to different areas of the hospital as needed.
• Cages and removes animals as needed.
• Exercises compassion and care in all interactions with patients.
• Properly handles fractious and fearful animals.
• Exam Room Assistance
• Follows established procedures to assist veterinarians with examinations and facilitates the flow of clients and outpatients.
• Consults with veterinarians daily to plan each day’s activities.
• Keeps veterinarians apprised of potential problems, discussions with clients, and other situations as necessary.
• Reviews medical records and notes made by the admitting Client Service Representative (receptionist) to discern the nature of the visit and any tests or procedures that may be needed.
• Stocks drawers in exam rooms and treatment areas.
• Greets clients and patients and escorts them into an exam room.
• Places the patient on the exam table and prepares for the veterinarian to enter the room.
• Obtains base information (weight, temperature, etc.) for the pet.
• Discusses with the client the reason for the visit, any symptoms or problems, and any procedures that may need to be completed (e.g., vaccinations or fecal or heartworm tests).
• Uses a pre-exam checklist to ensure that all medical needs are covered.
• Obtains lab samples that may be needed from the pet.
• Uses a fecal loop when necessary.
• Anticipates and prepares any medications or vaccines the veterinarian will need to treat the patient.
• Notifies the veterinarian when patients in the exam room are ready to be seen.
• Advises the veterinarian about the nature of the visit, preventive procedures due, and necessary tests.
• Assists the veterinarian with the exam by restraining the animal, preparing forms, and gathering instruments.
• Remains in the exam room until excused by the veterinarian.
• Ensures that all procedures rendered during the visit are documented for proper billing.
• Escorts the client and patient to the front desk and gives the medical record and patient visit form to the Client Service Representative.
• Prepares the exam room for the next visit.
• Medical Records
• Ensures accurate and efficient documentation of all vaccinations, procedures, and notes in the medical record.
• Admits and releases patients for all hospital procedures, appropriately completing paperwork.
• Accurately invoices clients for services.
• Ensures that reminders are set correctly for every visit.
• Diagnostics and Laboratory Procedures
• Accurately performs routine, in-house laboratory procedures.
• Collects, prepares, and handles specimens according to hospital protocols.
• Prepares specimens for outside laboratory.
• Takes, develops, and maintains radiographs, using proper techniques and positioning.
• Takes, develops, and maintains radiographs, using proper techniques and positioning.
• Monitors lab supplies, and orders additional lab supplies as needed.
• Treatment and Other Procedures
• Performs routine suture removals, nail trims, and weight checks.
• Applies bandages and splints.
• Sterilizes instruments.
• Prepares patients for procedures.
• Administers intravenous, intramuscular, and subcutaneous injections as directed.
• Examines patients for fleas, skin irritations, and other obvious problems.
• Medication Dispensation
• Understands usage and recommendations for prescription drugs, such as heartworm preventative and flea-control products.
• Draws up vaccines, sets up syringes, and ensures that drugs and equipment are ready.
• Maintains knowledge of drugs and their uses.
• Calculates drug dosages and fills prescriptions accurately.
• Prepares prescription labels and appropriately packages medications.
• Documents controlled drug dispensation when required.
• Ensures that medications are added to the patient’s record and appropriately charged to the client.
• Safety
• Follows OSHA guidelines concerning the safety and handling of hazardous materials.
• Follows established hospital safety guidelines regarding radiographs, controlled drugs, and animal handling.
• Surgical Assistance
• Properly cleans, packs, and autoclaves all used surgical materials.
• Keeps the operating room properly stocked and prepared for surgery.
• Monitors anesthesia, and assists veterinarian as assigned in surgery and dentistry.
• Provides support to surgical technicians as needed.
• Administers intravenous fluid therapy and monitors vital signs and oxygen saturation.
• Places and maintains the urinary catheter.
• Hospitalized Patient Care
• Admits and discharges patients on the veterinarian’s orders, being especially careful to ensure that patients being discharged are well-groomed and in a medically appropriate state.
• Assists with morning rotation of animals in kennels as needed.
• Ensures that all animals receive needed medication.
• Treats routine surgical patients from the previous day.
• Documents all services rendered.
• Organizes daily patient status lists for front office staff and updates as needed.
• Communicates with hospital attendants regarding patient needs.
• Review cases with other technical staff before shift changes.
• Client Relations
• Demonstrates warmth, courtesy, and professionalism in all client interactions.
• Communicate with clients regarding the medical status of their pets.
• Calls back or otherwise follows up with clients concerning certain patients; recommends additional visits if patient’s progress does not appear satisfactory.
• Educates clients regarding preventive medicine and vaccination.

Requirements

• Credentialed Veterinary Technician (CVT)
• At least two years of recent experience in veterinary practice or medical environment, with increasing responsibilities.
• Ability to perform routine veterinary medical procedures (e.g., collect samples, draw blood, administer vaccines, administer anesthetic induction drugs, monitor, and maintain patients under anesthesia).
• Ability to maintain clear and accurate records and to charge clients for all products and services rendered.
• Ability to properly restrain patients.
• Knowledge of spelling and meaning of commonly used veterinary medical terminology and procedures.
• Ability to complete assigned tasks in the time allotted without direct supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to show empathy toward clients and treat animals with respect and compassion.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• A commitment to outstanding client service.
• Ability to lift objects weighing 40 pounds without assistance and objects weighing more than 40 pounds with assistance.
• Ability to stay on task and work energetically for an entire shift, sometimes exceeding 10 hours per day.