Registered Veterinary Technician

- Assist the Veterinarian with impounding, quarantining, and restraining animals; emergency treatment and care of injured or diseased animals, including external hemorrhage control; perform CPR, intubation, and first aid on animals as required.
- Examine animals and make referrals to Veterinarian as needed; prepare animals and assist Veterinarian with surgery; apply casts or splints as necessary; staple or suture existing skin incisions.
- Induce and monitor anesthesia using either injectable or inhalant anesthetics; perform euthanasia by injection, as directed; supply post-surgical and treatment information to the public; microchip animals.
- Responsible for the control and use of euthanasia drugs, including Drug Enforcement Administration log maintenance; maintain inventory of medical supplies.
- Perform dental care including prophylactic evaluations, cleanings, and uncomplicated tooth extractions, as directed.
- Autoclaves and maintains all surgical packs; perform routine cleaning and general maintenance of medical equipment, facilities and caging; order medical supplies.
- Communicate with animal owners regarding post-operative care and other medical conditions of their animals; assign and oversee medically related duties to volunteers and Animal Care Technicians; participate in community events involving Animal Care Services.
- Enter data and produce computer generated reports relating to surgeries, treatment of shelter animals, and medical supply inventory; write memos and letters as necessary.
- Assist the Veterinarian with the development of policies and guidelines pertaining to the care, medical treatment and medical screening of animals at the shelter, including euthanasia by injection, handling and restraint, vaccination and microchipping, and medical screening and provide training to Animal Care Staff in these areas as necessary.
- Other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual.

Knowledge of:

- Aseptic surgical techniques, animal care and husbandry.
- Autoclaving and surgical pack preparation.
- Disease symptoms of domestic animals.
- Physical behavior characteristics of common breeds of dogs, cats, exotics, livestock and wildlife.
- Euthanasia techniques.
- Kennel and cage protocols
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) required record keeping for Schedule II narcotics.
- SHARPS biohazard waste requirements
- Laboratory analysis and emergency aid techniques.

Skill in:

- Preparing animals for surgery.
- Inducing and monitoring animals given anesthesia.
- Providing technical guidance and training, monitoring, and certifying staff on euthanasia procedures.
- Removing tissues from dead animals to aid in the diagnosis of
pathology.
- Micro-chipping animals
- Performing follow-up treatments
- Prophylactic evaluations, cleanings, and uncomplicated tooth extractions.
- Restraining fractious animals.
- Catheterizing animals.
- Computers, computer applications, and software.

Ability to:

- Obtain and maintain the Drug Enforcement Administration licensure as required.
- Properly store and maintain medical supplies and Schedule II narcotics.
- Identify normal and abnormal animal behavior and symptoms of rabies and other animal disorders.
- Safely handle, care for and feed animals, and clean kennels.
- Safely handle and apply common disinfectants such as bleach, Phenolics and Quats.
- Provide court testimony on animal cruelty cases.
- Provide customer service, including dealing with people under stress.
- Communicate effectively, orally and in writing.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

One year of experience assisting a licensed veterinarian in providing medical treatment to animals, including surgical procedures and medical examinations, in a clinical environment. One year of experience in an animal shelter assisting a licensed veterinarian in surgical procedures and medical examinations is desirable.

-AND-

Education:

Thirty semester units from an accredited college or university in veterinary technology, animal science, the biological sciences, chemistry, or a closely related field.

Substitution:

One year of qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education.

Tracey Huerta