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Certified Veterinary Technician

Category: Classified 
Pay Grade: C21 
Job Code: 20060 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described.  Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.  

JOB SUMMARY

Performs skilled nursing support by assisting in adoption exams and medical and surgical procedures in the Animal Services Department; provides medical assistance by administering anesthesia, injections, and medication; prepares animals for, and assists in, surgery and post-operative recovery; performs euthanasia on animals; supplies inventory control, security of drugs, laboratory work, and related clerical duties. Provides customer service to citizens and works closely with all departments at the shelter.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (examples, not all inclusive)

• Coordinates patient preparations and patient flow to the surgeons for the high-volume surgery load. Dose drugs/medications, induce anesthesia, maintain anesthesia levels, monitor and recover all surgical patients;
• Performs lifesaving measures on animals when needed i.e., CPR, allergic reactions, traumatic injury response;
• Administers oral medications, vaccinations, anesthesia (non-surgical procedures), intra-muscular, subcutaneous, and intravenous injections. Follow Standard Operating Procedures to prescribe and dose medications to shelter animals;
• Enforces, controls, and maintains security of drugs and barbiturates, in accordance with federal laws, rules, and regulations. Logs, inventories, and manages controlled drugs stock;
• Provides communication and customer service to public regarding medical issues post adoption, post reclaim and during foster;
• Performs pre-surgery physical examinations and evaluations, reports known history of animal, bloodwork results, and vaccinations;
• Evaluates impounded population daily for injuries or illness. Respond as needed;
• Performs assigned laboratory tasks; including but not limited to cytology, urinalysis, fecals, skin scrape, DTM, blood smears, perform blood chemistry and complete blood counts;
• Cultivates relationships with foster families, updates wellness protocols for animals in foster homes, and schedules appointments;
• Performs adoption exams; determine medical issues and adoptability, course of treatment, best outcome placement;
• Performs euthanasia on a variety of species during adoption screening, emergencies and at owner’s request;
• Participates in community events, adoption promotions, vaccine clinics;
• Supports the department in mandated ESF-17 (Emergency Support Function 17) responsibilities in the event of a disaster or during an activation of the County’s Emergency Operations Center. This includes, but is not limited to, transporting special needs pets, assisting at a pet friendly shelter, assisting at the Animal Services main shelter, or assisting at a post disaster animal collection site; Services may include set up, tear down, population management, husbandry, and emergency medical intervention as needed;
• Inventory management. Determines needs, places and receives orders, manages expiry list and controlled drug returns;
• Maintains equipment such as clippers, anesthesia machines, and autoclaves;
• Manages and mentors students from high school and college veterinary programs. Guide students in shelter medicine practices, provide feedback and complete evaluation forms;
• Conducts new hire training;
• Provides intensive nursing to critical cases;
• Adapts to many different and difficult situations with limited history and communication;
• Participates in treatment plans and client education with pets being returned to owners;
• Prepares reports and maintains medical case files of investigations to ensure availability for civil or criminal prosecution;
• Ensures compliance with medical regulations and laws pertaining to public health, welfare and safety, as well as regulations pertinent to the health, welfare, and safety of the animals;
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Veterinary Medical Technician Certification (certification from the Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA) or the Florida Veterinary Technician Association (FVTA) are recognized equally) or obtain certification within six (6) months of employment if possessing certification from another state or graduates of American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited Veterinary Technician programs.

Candidates must have an associate’s degree or higher to qualify for certification.

Special Qualifications (May be required depending on area of assignment):

• Florida Driver’s License or Florida Commercial Driver’s License and endorsement, if any.
• Assignment to work a variety of work schedules including compulsory work periods in special, emergency, and/or disaster situations.
• Physical strength and agility to lift heavy animals, equipment, and supplies.
• Exposure to personal risk during assignments causing periodic contact with hostile or diseased animals.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of humane treatment, restraint, and handling of animals;
• Knowledge of veterinary medical/surgical practices, procedures, and laboratory procedures;
• Skill in applying medical and surgical procedures;
• Knowledge in animal mannerisms and behavior;
• Knowledge of pharmacy and pharmacology;
• Knowledge of dentistry;
• Knowledge of pain management;
• Knowledge of diagnostic imaging;
•  Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions;
• Knowledge of computer systems, which includes personal computer workstations and laptops;
• Knowledge of routine computer troubleshooting techniques and maintenance programs;
• Ability to handle and restrain all size animals;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, supervisors, and others;
• Ability to deal effectively, tactfully, and courteously with the public;
• Knowledge of business English, spelling, arithmetic, and supervisory practices;
• Knowledge of zoonotic diseases and ability to recognize signs shown by animals brought into the facility;
• Knowledge of human and pet first aid and CPR;
• Knowledge of legal and medical terminology, grammar, and spelling;
• Knowledge of recordkeeping practices and procedures;
• Skill in the application of superior customer service;
• Ability to collect, organize and evaluate information and present conclusions;
• Ability to train and lead the work of subordinates;
• Ability to make prompt, accurate decisions during emergency situations;
• Ability to simultaneously handle multiple calls/tasks.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS

The work is medium work which requires exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.  Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. The amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized.
• Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.
• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Handling: Picking, holding, or otherwise working, primarily with the whole hand.
• Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Visual ability: Sufficient to effectively operate office equipment including copier, computer, etc.; and to read and write reports, correspondence, instructions, etc.
• Hearing ability: Sufficient to hold a conversation with other individuals both in person and over a telephone; and to hear recording on transcription device.
• Speaking ability: Sufficient to communicate effectively with other individuals in person and over a telephone.
• Mental Acuity: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Repetitive motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in an environment where errors can lead to significant physical or mental consequences for self or others.