REPORTS TO: Director of Surgical Services

LOCATION: Planned PEThood’s Headquarters in Duluth, Georgia

BENEFITS: Ability to lead a dedicated surgical team, help provide exceptional sterilization services at an affordable cost, contribute to the design and growth of the surgical program, 4-day work week, 1 Saturday/month required, health, vision, dental insurance and 401K, competitive salary based on experience, located in Duluth, GA – adorable town!

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of veterinary staff, ensure effective and efficient processes. Provide excellent pre-, peri- and post-operative care of surgery patients. Provide thorough and compassionate examination and treatment for patients, assist in outreach events/vaccine clinics when needed.

PRIMARY JOB FUNCTIONS – SPAY/NEUTER

• Examine animals pre-op to assist in determining their ability to withstand surgery
• Make recommendations to the veterinarian regarding animal statuses
• Assist with surgical sterilizations, following established guidelines for high quality, high-volume procedures, with a daily goal of 30 surgeries per doctor (typically 2 doctors; 60 surgeries)
• Conduct regular routine health monitoring and exams based on veterinary team instruction, and ensure the implementation of preventative measures such as vaccinations, anthelmintic treatments, etc.
• Perform other medically necessary procedures under guidance of veterinarian while patients are present for surgery
  • Administer various therapeutic measures by IV, IM, SQ, topical, oral routes, etc.
  • Bandage/wrapping techniques
  • Venipuncture techniques
  • Swabs
  • Proficient animal restraint techniques
  • Monitor critical care animals (i.e. place IVs, monitor fluids, etc.)
  • Tissue sampling, routine animal manipulations, etc.

• Assist with post-op exams as necessary to ensure appropriate recovery
• Maintain appropriate medical records
• Inoculate animals and provide instructions for follow up care
• Ensure proper handling and recording of controlled substances
• Ensure accurate and timely record keeping in ClinicHQ or PetPoint as appropriate
• Assist in training veterinary assistant team on surgical support procedures – primarily spay/neuter
• Work cooperatively with relief doctors

SECONDARY JOB FUNCTIONS – RESCUE/ADOPT; Crosstraining

• Assist in Wellness/Foster Clinic when appropriate
• Perform examinations and recommend treatments for foster pets, adhering to health protocols established for pets in our adoption program
• Work cooperatively with owners and foster parents, effectively communicating treatment plans
• Provide input for treatment and housing protocols

SECONDARY JOB FUNCTIONS – PUBLIC WELLNESS/GO FIX-OUTREACH; Crosstraining

• Provide appropriate examinations and vaccines for pets at off-site events as needed – typically 1x month
• Assist in the supervision of veterinary assistants at events
• Works to ensure appropriate record-keeping
• Provide input for Outreach event protocols

OTHER GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Adhere to established protocols for safety, cleanliness, and prevention of disease
• Assist with ongoing surgical and Wellness staff member training
• Participate in appropriate staff meetings
• Effectively “team lead,” displaying a positive attitude and acting as a motivating force for all staff members
• Ensure all surgical staff members are adhering to proper pre-, peri- and post-operative care of patients.
• Communicate any issues concerning personnel or protocol with Director of Surgical Services

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Physical Requirements
  • Must be able to work standing or sitting for 8 or more hours
  • Must be able to bend and kneel repeatedly
  • Must be able to see fine detail in a variety of situations
  • Must have good hearing including ability to distinguish changes in pitch
  • Must have acceptable sense of touch and smell
  • Must have good range of motion in joints especially wrist, knees, elbows
  • Must have good range of motion in your back for instance twisting
  • Must possess excellent hand-eye coordination
  • Must possess an acceptable degree of dexterity in hands and fingers
  • Must have good vision including peripheral vision, fine detail, distance, depth perception and ability to focus

• Emotional/Mental Requirements
• Must be able to work under stressful conditions efficiently and effectively
• Must be able to respond quickly to a variety of medical situations
• Must be able to cope with death either due to surgical complication or euthanasia
• Ability to rapidly and accurately process information
• Ability to delegate tasks
• Ability to recognize a need for assistance and ask for help
• Ability to make decisions
• Ability to cope with frustrating situations and remain calm

• Potential and Prolonged Exposures
• Prolonged exposure to various aqueous solutions including but not limited to dish soap, chlorhexidine and spectra soap
• Prolonged exposure to isopropanol, hydrogen peroxide
• Potential exposure to formalin solution
• Potential/Prolonged exposure to isoflurane gas
• Prolonged exposure to quaternary ammonium cleaners and bleach
• Prolonged exposure to pressurized steam
• Potential exposure to sharps including needles and surgical blades

REQUIRED

• Must be a licensed veterinary technician in the state of Georgia
• Knowledge of DEA requirements for handing and reporting controlled drug inventories
• Exceptional animal-handling techniques
• Experience with ClinicHQ and PetPoint – or willingness to learn
• Excellent reading, writing and verbal skills
• Excellent math skills
• Basic computer skills
• Ability to work unsupervised as well as in a team environment
• Demonstrate understanding of Standard Operating Procedures

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The offices and operations of a high-volume spay/neuter clinic can be high stress and very busy at times. Surgeries are scheduled four days/week, usually Monday through Thursday, plus occasional monthly Saturday vaccine clinics; however, the schedule can change and may sometimes require weekend or evening hours for meetings, training, or events. Planned PEThood is committed to maintaining a work schedule that is satisfactory for individual staff members as well as the overall organization.