General Description:
The aim of this practice is to promote a friendly and professional environment where emphasis is placed on quality medical care, client education, and teamwork. The veterinary technician is an important and challenging position. Because you interact with both clients and their pets it is important for you to maintain a professional attitude and appearance. Your job is demanding and rewarding, but frequently stressful. Whatever the circumstances, it is your duty to project the competence and empathy that is fundamental to our practice philosophy.
The veterinary technician is the primary support to doctors and patients. Your role is to free the doctor of tasks that can be performed by other personnel. The veterinary technician must be able to pay attention to detail, respond quickly and calmly to crises, and maintain very high standards of patient care. In addition, the veterinary technician must be able to communicate well with clients, showing care and concern for their pets. Some technicians may be assigned to certain areas or tasks that may not be listed below.
Functions:
• Greet clients and their pets by name
• Perform catheterizations
• Provide physical therapy
• Give injections in accordance with government regulations and doctor’s orders
• Perform routine laboratory analyses, including hematology, serology, blood chemistry, urinalysis, fecals, skin scrapings
• Administer and monitor anesthesia in accordance with state regulations
• Prepare patients for surgery, monitor patients during surgery and recovery, assist in surgery, administer fluids, provide support therapy to patients in surgery and post-op, and remove and ready the next patient
• Animal restraint
• Take EKG tracings
• Administer oral drugs, colonic irrigation, wound dressings and fluid therapy
• Prepare cultures for bacteriological examination
• Prepare samples for shipment to the laboratory
• Admit and discharge patients on the doctor’s orders, paying particular attention to the patients physical state at discharge
• Properly clean pack and autoclave all surgical materials. Keep the operating room stocked and ready for surgery
• Perform weight checks and temperatures
• Assist doctor with physical exams and treatments
• Perform emergency procedures including: control bleeding; administer parenteral fluids and pharmacological agents under veterinary supervision; resuscitate with oxygen; establish open airway by intubation; perform external cardiac massage; apply temporary bandages or splints; provide external supportive treatment of wounds, burns, and heat prostration
• Provide client education regarding nutrition, parasite control, vaccination protocols, spaying and neutering, and so forth
• Counsel clients regarding home care, medication, medication administration, post-operative care, and the like
• Maintain pharmacy records
• Take, develop and record radiographs
• Assist the receptionist
• Perform tasks assigned to veterinary assistant as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned
Controls Over Work:
The veterinary technician works under the direct supervision of the veterinarian and the head technician who provide continuing or individual assignments indicating tasks, limitations, expectations, deadlines, and priorities. The doctors provide additional, specific instructions for new, difficult, or unusual assignments, including suggested work methods or advice on source materials available. You must use initiative in carrying out recurring assignments independently without specific instructions but refer deviations, problems, and unfamiliar situations to the veterinarian. The head technician or the doctors will ensure that finished work and methods are technically accurate and comply with instructions or established procedures. The hospital administrator may provide administrative supervision.
Skills and Knowledge:
• Knowledge of clinic procedures for receiving, treating, and scheduling patients, ordering medical supplies, and requesting laboratory tests.
• Knowledge of the use, care, and storage of veterinary instruments, materials, and equipment.
• Knowledge of sterilization techniques for various instruments and materials.
• Knowledge of sterile techniques used during surgery.
• Knowledge of the instruments, materials, and standardized procedures used in the full variety of treatments to make preparations and provide “tableside” assistance.
• Knowledge of overall animal handling procedures.
• Personal contacts are with animal owners, visitors and other staff members. Considerable tact and diplomacy is required. Must accurately relay owner’s account on medical complaint(s) of the animal(s) involved to other staff members who will be involved in treating the patient(s).
Physical Effort:
Work often requires lifting and carrying animals which weigh in excess of 100 lbs. Will be assisted by other staff members in working with larger dogs. Walks or stands for extended periods of time; frequently works in bent position.
Working Conditions:
The veterinary technician is often exposed to unpleasant odors and noises. May be exposed to bites, scratches, and animal waste. May also be exposed to contagious diseases.