Veterinary Technician

St. Francis Vet Care is a non-profit organization that has provided quality affordable and accessible veterinary care to the companion animals of people experiencing homelessness, veterans, and very low-income residents in North Central Florida for the last 15 years. We are committed to serving the needs of animals and people in our community and strengthening the human-animal bond.

The Veterinary Technician/Assistant supports our doctors by performing a variety of animal health care duties, providing quality patient and client care in accordance with our organizational mission and goals. We are seeking a community-focused individual with effective communication abilities in addition to strong technical skills.

SFVC’s veterinary services include examinations, vaccinations, spay/neuter, basic diagnostics, and treatment. Additional services include nail clipping, ear cleaning, bathing, and microchipping. The clinic regularly welcomes volunteers of all types including students, veterinary students, local veterinarians, and community members. Non-veterinary functions such as scheduling, client screening, cleaning, and record keeping are handled by student and community volunteers.

NOTE: This position has a set schedule, applicants must be available to work Monday and Thursdays from 9am - 4pm, plus a rotating Saturday outreach schedule in various locations around Alachua County.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Assist in restraint of animals, perform physical examinations, give vaccinations, and take blood
• Under the supervision and direction of the attending veterinarian, administer oral, topical and injectable (SQ, IM & IV) medications.
• Perform ear cleanings, nail trims, anal gland expressions, and bathing.
• Perform and analyze fecals, skin and ear cytologies.
• Enter appropriate medical and communication notes in practice management software
• Filling prescriptions
• Performing routine laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging
• Maintain safe and sanitary areas for animals
• Handle animals in a humane manner according to established safety policies and procedure
• Educate pet owners on proper animal health care and discharge instructions
• Assist with surgical procedures (prepare surgical suite, drug calculations, pre-medication, catheter placement, induction, intubation, prep and scrub surgical field, monitor anesthesia, recover animals, sterilize instruments)
• Report concerns and seek assistance from management for situations that require immediate problem-solving
• Interact with other departments as needed to accomplish hospital tasks
• Provide compassionate and patient care to both pets and people
• Maintain safe and sanitary conditions to include safe handling of cleaning supplies, chemicals, and equipment in compliance with safety and SDS rules
• Perform reception duties as needed
• Foster teamwork and provide assistance to coworkers and volunteers.

Skills/Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; must possess conversational and written English skills.
• Bi-lingual (English-Spanish) is a plus.
• Must understand disease transmission and take proper measures to assure disease vectors are kept to a minimum.
• Ability to read animal body language and handle animals accordingly.
• Ability to administer injections, perform venipuncture, and take vital signs of animal.
• Ability to administer treatments/medications intravenously, orally, intramuscularly, and subcutaneously
• Ability to properly restrain animals, including fractious pets, for examination and treatment.
• Proficient at use of computer programs including Microsoft Office Suite, email, Internet and database management software to efficiently accomplish work and ability to learn new software/programs.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and collaborative approach to work, with an ability to bring out the best in peers.
• A desire to work with animals and people.
• Strong customer service approach and demonstrated ability to build meaningful relationships across multiple departments and job functions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability communicate effectively with the public, fellow employees, and volunteers.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Ability to maintain professionalism and confidentiality; apply mature judgment and discretion.
• Demonstrated ability to show flexibility, initiative, work independently, and prioritize assignments despite tight deadlines and competing requirements.
• A team-oriented and collaborative approach to work, with an ability to bring out the best in peers.
• Strong work ethic and ability to maintain a high degree of accuracy with strict attention to detail.
• Lifelong learner with desire to share knowledge with others.
• Humane handling of animals and safe handling of cleaning supplies, chemicals, and equipment in compliance with safety rules and according to OSHA rules
• Ensure that employees are always following operational safety and personnel policies.
• Physical efforts that require standing, bending, reaching, stooping, squatting, and lifting, pulling, or pushing up to 50 lbs. with reasonable accommodation, and ability to work in a noisy environment.
• Reliable, punctual attendance required
• Must maintain a professional appearance; scrubs are to be worn at all times and are furnished by the employee
• Must handle agency funds in accordance with established verbal and written agency guidelines.

Licensing/Education/Experience

• Minimum of one year's experience in veterinary medicine; general knowledge of animal welfare.
• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Valid FL driver’s license or ability to obtain a valid FL driver’s license and must be insurable by SFVC insurance provider.

We're an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $16.00 - $17.00 per hour

Expected hours: 18 – 25 per week

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Weekends as needed

Experience:

• Veterinary: 1 year (Required)

Language:

• English (Required)
• Spanish (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Gainesville, FL 32607 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Gainesville, FL 32607: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $16 - $17