VETERINARY TECHNICIAN - PART-TIME

About the role

This is the second of five levels in the Animal Care series. The position assists the shelter veterinarian with examination and treatment of animals confined in the shelter. It also involves providing and administering basic veterinary procedures in the absence of the veterinarian, assisting with spay and neuter surgeries, and performing other related tasks.

Responsibilities

• Assist as necessary in examining all animals brought into the shelter.
• Ensure animals are scanned, tagged with proper identification, separated into appropriate kennels, and treated for parasites.
• Absent the veterinarian, assist in the kennels as needed.
• Assist with cleaning and disinfecting in kennels, as needed.
• Responsible for detecting diseases and ensuring proper hygiene is completed on animals to prevent infestation by parasites in the shelter facility.
• Coordinate and assist with surgeries and health checks on specified days at the shelter and any other related jobs.
• Communicate with the veterinarians about the physical needs and disease recognition found in the shelter environment.
• Maintain the surgery room and surgical instruments, including instrument sterilization and changing of oxygen tanks.
• Set up and read fecal and in-house tests including parvo, leukemia, and heartworm.
• Manage drug logs including dispensing of medications and providing medications for weekend dosages as required.
• Provide counseling and advice on adoptions.
• Assist the public.
• Prepare and submit manual and computerized reports and documents pertaining to work and ensure pet adoptions comply with mandatory spaying and neutering.
• Counsel owners with humane recommendations for keeping their animals in their home by making problem-solving recommendations.
• Participate in school fairs, parades, school carnivals, shopping mall exhibits, with volunteer manpower possible, to educate the public and improve the Animal Services image.
• Work under the direction of the PROC, at both on and off-site events, when needed.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.
• Occasionally supervise volunteer workers, Pre-Trial Diversion/Community Service Workers, and temporary employees.
• Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Parish's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include training employees; and planning, assigning, and directing work.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) and two years of experience with health checks and surgeries as a veterinarian assistant in an established veterinary hospital.
• Licenses: Valid driver’s license as per State law or requirement.
• Prefer Veterinary Technician Certification CAET – Certified Animal Euthanasia Technician Certification.

Supplemental Information

• Knowledge: Customer service principles; Basic animal handling techniques and applications; Basic animal care and nutrition requirements; Basic animal anatomy; Cleaning and sanitizing methods; Recordkeeping practices; Computers and related software applications.
• Skills: Caring for animals; Cleaning and sanitizing animal holding areas; Observing and documenting animal behavior; Identifying sick animals; Handling animals; Preparing and maintaining records and reports; Using computers and related software applications; Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.