Manoa Valley Veterinary Clinic Technician Assistant

TITLE: VETERINARY TECHNICIAN/ASSISTANT

Reports to: Lead Technician or Hospital Manager

Primary Purpose: To assist the veterinarians in the care and treatment of animals, consisting of animal restraint/handling, assisting in surgical procedures, and administering medication.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Overview:

• Restrains/handles animals for the veterinarian to examine or for blood draws, catheter placements, and other miscellaneous procedures.

• Understands basic animal anatomy and physiology, medical and directional terms, and various medical acronyms.

• Assists in the drawing up of medications, counting pills, and accurately writing up prescription directions and precautions. Handles controlled substances, maintains controlled substances log books, and practices appropriate controlled substance protocol as required by the FDA and DEA.

• Performs blood draws, IV and urinary catheter placements, bandage changes/placements, nail trims, and anal gland expressions.

• Assists veterinarians in surgical procedures consisting of: induction/intubation, patient preparation, anesthetic monitoring, and handling of surgical instruments utilizing aseptic technique.

• Performs diagnostic tests such as blood smears, cytologies, and urinalyses. Preps samples for lab

(Antech) pick-up, generates lab test request forms, and stores specimens properly. Performs in-house tests such as blood chemistry profiles and CBC’s utilizing Abaxis Vetscan 2 and Abaxis
HM5 blood analyzers.

• Performs routine dental cleanings, dental charting, dental radiographs, and dental machine maintenance.

• Cares for patients pre- and post-operatively, administers medication or treatment as directed by a veterinarian, and practices basic husbandry for any in-house patients.

• Takes radiographs utilizing proper safety measures, and develops and processes images for veterinarian review.

• Enters medical records electronically, transposes doctor notes accurately, and documents client communication/interactions in a professional capacity.

• Educates clients and other staff members. May train other junior staff members or interns.
• Triages emergent and non-emergent cases, quickly evaluates patient status/wellbeing, and works in a quick and efficient manner during an emergency situation. Assists veterinarians with CPR or other life-saving measures.

Other Duties:

• Maintains a clean, safe and organized treatment and surgery room area.
• Restocks supplies in the exam rooms, treatment room, and surgery room.
• Preps surgery room and dental treatment area for next day or same day procedures.

Mental, Physical and Communication Demands: Frequent standing, walking, and lifting; able to lift up to 30 lbs. May be required to work or sit on ground. Restraining of fractious animals may require moderate strength. Requires communication skills and is able to follow verbal and written instructions.
May encounter emotional or traumatic incidents, dealing in emergency traumas or humane euthanasia.

Work Environment: Indoors, air-conditioned treatment area.
Equipment Use: Computer (PC) with integrated Vetech Advantage/eVet software, Abaxis HM5 and Vetscan 2 blood analyzers, Midmark dental radiography machine, Sound digital radiography machine, centrifuge, autoclave, anesthetic machines, Cardell monitor, and pulse oximeter.
Work Hours: Monday – Friday 7:00 a.m – 6:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., may require occasional overtime.

• Moderate noise – dogs barking, phone calls, crowd noise.
• Some danger from animal bites/scratches.
• Some exposure to infectious diseases and toxic or caustic chemicals, fumes, and inhalant anesthetics.
• Possible exposure to radiation during radiographic acquisitions.
• Exposure to animal waste (i.e. feces, urine, blood, tissue, vomitus, and other bodily excretions.)

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

• Education: High school diploma or GED needed.
• Language Skills: Ability to read and write instructions, short correspondence and memos.

Proper phone etiquette. Ability to effectively present information in one-to-one and small group situations to customers, clients, students, and other employees of the organizations.

• Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rates, rations, and percentages and to draw and interpret charts. Ability to convert units of measurement, particularly for prescription medications. Ability to calculate drug dosages based on doctor recommendation.

• Reasoning Ability: Ability to carry out clear, concise written and oral instructions. Ability to deal with problem solving situations.

• Other Skills and Abilities: Experience and comfort with computers, especially Windows based software.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $14.50 - $19.00 per hour

Expected hours: 35 – 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Holidays
• No nights
• Overtime

Work Location: In person

Salary : $15 - $19