Surgical Veterinary Technician

Job Summary

The Veterinary Technician is an essential member of the Mill Valley Veterinary team. Our Veterinary Technicians provide experienced and skilled animal care to our patients, assist in administrative and technical tasks, and support the entire veterinary team in the clinic's day-to-day functions.

The Veterinary Technician is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day care of all patients of the practice and providing support to the Veterinarian throughout the examination, diagnosis, and treatment phase of the patients’ visit. Their goal is to foster both a positive and comfortable environment for the public as well as demonstrate professionalism and compliance for clinic policy. As the animal care and medical support, the Veterinary Technician demonstrates excellent interpersonal communication, veterinary skills and knowledge, and a connection to the clinic’s core values and mission statement.

Our ideal candidate is very team-oriented and works well on a multi-faceted team of doctors and experienced veterinary support staff. We are looking for an individual who is enthusiastic and interested in growing in their position, communicates well with clients and staff, and maintains a positive attitude in stressful situations. We encourage a strong work-life balance and provide flexibility with scheduling to ensure your needs are met.

Essential Job Functions

• Provide compassionate care to patients and clients to build relationships and enhance the clinic’s reputation in the community

• Greet clients and pets immediately upon arrival, determine reason for visit, ensure updated registration forms are on file and inform clients of expected wait time

• Alert management immediately of potential client, patient, or staff issues

• Conduct oneself in a confident and courteous manner at all times including during stressful situations

• Ensure a pleasant, respectful and productive relationship with Veterinarians and all team members

• Demonstrate strong multitasking skills in a fast-paced, deadline-driven setting

• Handles after life planning and care with compassion while following euthanasia protocols

• Assist in training staff on Veterinary Technician tasks, initiatives/policies & procedures

• Maintain a clean, safe and professional work environment including the appearance of all exam rooms, surgery suite, and other areas in the clinic

• Maintain clinic equipment and supplies, inform proper individuals when repairs and supplies are needed

• Ensure that checklists and daily housekeeping tasks are completed and initialed

• Follow all leash handling guidelines to safely navigate dogs throughout the facility

• Apply the use of specific language designed to communicate/reinforce behavior expectations to dogs

• Comply with verbal and written instructions communicated such as emails, lists, color-coded signs

• Maintain excellent attendance record with on-time arrival

• Follow dress code guidelines; present in a neat, clean and hygienic manner at all times

Veterinary Technician Skills

• Prepare and maintain patient exam rooms, maintain the flow of appointments, obtain patient histories, and assist the Veterinarian during patient appointments

• Use understanding of common diseases and conditions, physical assessment, and monitoring patient parameters to triage patients

• Practice safe animal handling techniques, proper animal restraint, and the proper use of PPE

• Administer medications and fill prescriptions as prescribed by the Veterinarian

• Prepare and administer vaccinations under direction of the Veterinarian

• Administer subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous medications

• Venipuncture, catheter placement, fluid therapy, and blood transfusion therapy

• Assist with diagnostic radiographs, ultrasonography and paracentesis

• Laboratory skills include sample collection, microscopy, in-house laboratory testing, and send-out laboratory testing

• Maintain the clinic’s veterinary equipment, tools and supplies

• Follow cleaning protocols and complete daily responsibilities involved with clinic and facility upkeep and organization

Surgical Skills & Assistance

• Prepare surgical room prior to each procedure by following essential cleaning and disinfection protocol, supplying appropriate surgical PPE and packs, and starting up all surgical equipment

• Assist Veterinarian using appropriate sterile technique before, during and after all surgical procedures including dental procedures

• Perform tasks such as placing and/or maintaining endotracheal tubes and urinary catheters as needed

• Set up, maintain, and troubleshoot oxygen cages and other oxygen administration techniques

• Administer, monitor, and maintain patients under general anesthesia with or without mechanical ventilation for patients with varied levels of risk

• Monitor patient recovery and communicate post-surgical discharge instruction with clients

Communications

• Assist the Veterinary Client Service Representatives in their responsibilities when needed

• Educate and counsel clients on animal health care and their pet’s needs

• Keep accurate medical records of all patients

• Communicate and collaborate with team members to ensure optimal patient care

Physical Demands

• Standing, sitting, walking. balancing, crawling

• Talking, hearing

• Stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching

• Reaching, handling, fingering, feeling

• Color detection, motion and depth perception, near and far acuity

Job Hazards

• Exposure to dog and cat bites and scrapes

• Exposure to disease or infection

• Exposure to contaminants

• Restraining large animals in an agitated state

• Frequent bending and lifting (see complete list of physical demands)

• Must be prepared to cope with euthanasia and the trauma endured by medical professionals who deal with illness, death and dying on a regular basis

Qualifications

• Customer service experience- 1 year (preferred)

• Veterinary or professional animal care experience- 1 year (preferred)

• High school diploma or equivalent (required)

• Outstanding interpersonal communication skills

• Highly organized; able to multitask in a fast paced setting

• Strong computer experience; learns new programs with ease

• Comfortable interacting with animals of all breeds and sizes

• Passionate about animal welfare; treats all animals with compassion and kindness

• Follow rotating work schedule (e.g. nights, weekends and holidays)

• Reliable and dependable; maintain excellent attendance and punctuality

• Strong work ethic; sets high standards for self and others

Job Types & Benefits

Job types include full-time and part-time. Schedule requires weekday and weekend availability with flexible hours. Competitive hourly pay. Benefits include:

• Paid holidays

• Paid vacation and personal time off

• Health insurance and supplemental insurance including dental

• Retirement plan with 3% employer match

• Annual account credit for employee pets

Disclaimers

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed or deleted in accordance with business needs.