Licensed Veterinary Technician

Duties and Responsibilities

• Checks patient medical records for past histories, enters treatments and charges in computer.
• Restraints animals for Veterinarian as required.
• Maintains client educational material in an efficient manner.
• Applies knowledge of drawing blood, accessing veins quickly and minimizing patient discomfort to perform testing procedures.
• Performs specimen testing procedures accurately on blood, urine or other samples according to medical orders using all related equipment and computers.
• Affords assistance to Veterinarian with in-patient care in daily treatments to include maintaining and calculating IV fluids to assure they are still flowing, drawing blood samples as requested and passing urithrocatheters.
• Performs anesthesia induction and monitoring.
• Dispenses medication and feeds patients as directed.
• Communicates with patient's owner by describing medication, possible complications and warnings.
• Utilizes computer system to enter and reference patient information as needed.
• Performs necessary lab work such as x-rays, CBC's, blood profiles, urinalysis, heartworm tests, FELV/FIV tests, fecal tests, cultures and sensitivities and fungus cultures.
• Documents test results and delivers to appropriate personnel promptly.
• Prepares specimens for mailing to hospitals according to practice requirements.
• Sets laboratory standards, change operations, and provides training to staff as required.
• Affords assistance in animal care as needed.
• Handles all tasks associated with x-ray process to include entry of patient information, proper positioning of animals, and preparing forms to be e-mailed or referred as needed.
• Takes medical histories and vital signs of patients.
• Performs departmental housekeeping duties.
• Admits and discharges patients.
• Takes, processes and logs prescription refills in-house, call out pharmacy and online pharmacy.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The technician must be able to multi-task. They must be able to think quickly on their feet. They must be able to develop positive working relationships with clients and co-workers.

Skills

• Skills/knowledge on how to perform dental cleanings, charting teeth abnormalities, anesthesia induction and monitoring, surgical preparation, intravenous catheter placement, vaccination administration, venipuncture, in-house lab work, and filling prescriptions.
• Works well with others as well as independently, takes initiative and thrives in a busy work environment.

Education/Experience

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); and one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Licensed Veterinary Technician in the state of Virginia is required.