Animal Health Technician

Athens Clarke County; Georgia; On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

ACCGov's Animal Services Department seeks a Veterinary Paraprofessional to provide technical care for shelter animals, perform health assessments, vaccinations, and parasite preventives, and assist veterinarians with surgeries and diagnostics. The role includes maintaining records, dosing, and enforcing biosecurity protocols.

The position requires a high school diploma with veterinary experience, a valid driver's license, and willingness to obtain a euthanasia certificate within a year.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with one year of experience in a veterinary clinic, animal shelter, or related field.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Certificate of Euthanasia or ability to obtain within one year of hire.
• Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) is preferred.
• Willing to receive pre-exposure rabies vaccination.

Responsibilities

• Performs intake examinations and health assessments for shelter animals.
• Administers vaccinations, medications, parasite preventives, and treatments per protocols.
• Assists veterinarian during surgical, dental, and medical procedures and sterilizes instruments.
• Maintains medical records and controlled-substance logs; monitors anesthesia during procedures.
• Performs diagnostic tests, collects samples, and prepares specimens for labs.
• Maintains sanitation and biosecurity in clinic, isolation, and holding areas.

Skills

Shelter medicine

Veterinary technology

Animal care

Vaccination protocols

Anesthesia monitoring

Controlled-substance records

Biosecurity practices

Shelter management software

Patient handling

Medical documentation

Independent judgment

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent with 1 year veterinary-related experience

Job description

REPORTS TO:

Animal Services Operations Coordinator

FLSA STATUS:

Non-Exempt

CLASSIFICATION:

Personnel System - Requires satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period

PAY GRADE:

111

SAFETY SENSITIVE:

Yes - Subject to random drug testing per the Athens-Clarke County Drug and Alcohol Ordinance

Purpose of Job

The purpose of this job is to provide technical and paraprofessional veterinary care to animals in the custody of the Animal Services Department. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, performing intake and health assessments; administering vaccinations, medications, parasite preventives, and treatments under the direction of a licensed veterinarian; assisting with surgical, dental, and diagnostic procedures; performing humane euthanasia; maintaining medical records and controlled-substance logs; supporting the department's disease-control, sanitation, and biosecurity programs; and performing other duties as assigned.

Job Related Requirements

WORK SCHEDULE: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm, Saturday-Sunday occasionally. Must be available to work weekends, holidays, evenings, and extended hours as needed to meet the medical needs of animals in the department's care. May be required to work on religious holidays. Regular and predictable attendance is required. Must work cooperatively with others. When personally operating a county vehicle, must abide by ACC's safe driving policy.

• High school diploma or equivalent with one year of experience in a veterinary clinic, animal shelter, or related animal health or animal care field required; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Must possess a valid Certificate of Euthanasia or the ability to obtain such certification within one year of the date of hire.
• Licensure as a Veterinary Technician by the Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine (LVT) is preferred.
• Must be willing to receive pre-exposure rabies vaccination.

The following duties are normal for this job.

• Performs intake examinations and health assessments on animals entering the shelter; screens for signs of illness, injury, disease, and parasites; records weight, body condition, and physical findings.
• Administers vaccinations, medications, parasite preventives, and treatments in accordance with veterinarian-approved protocols and department standard operating procedures.
• Assists the veterinarian during surgical, dental, and medical procedures; prepares and sterilizes instruments and surgical packs; prepares and positions animals for surgery; monitors patients before, during, and after anesthesia.
• Performs and processes diagnostic tests, including blood draws, SNAP/ELISA tests, fecal examinations, urinalysis, and cytology; takes and develops radiographs; and collects, labels, and prepares samples for outside laboratories.
• Performs routine care procedures such as microchip implantation, wound care and dressing changes, nail trims, and ear cleanings.
• Performs humane euthanasia by injection in accordance with department policy and applicable law; maintains euthanasia records; and ensures the proper handling and disposal of deceased animals.
• Receives, secures, administers, and documents controlled substances; maintains controlled-substance logs in compliance with applicable DEA and state requirements.
• Identifies, isolates, and monitors animals suspected of rabies or other contagious or communicable diseases; implements quarantine, isolation, and disease-control protocols.
• Provides daily care, feeding, and observation of animals housed in the medical, isolation, and quarantine areas; conducts daily medical rounds and reports changes in condition to the veterinarian.
• Maintains accurate, complete, and timely medical records in the department's shelter management software.
• Cleans, disinfects, and maintains the clinic, surgical, isolation, and holding areas to department sanitation and biosecurity standards; safely handles and disposes of biohazardous and medical waste.
• Monitors, orders, and maintains inventory of vaccines, medications, medical supplies, and equipment.
• Prepares and coordinates spay/neuter and treatment lists; schedules and transports animals to and from off-site veterinary appointments as needed.
• Conducts health screenings to determine animals' medical suitability for adoption, foster, or rescue placement and recommends animals accordingly.
• Responds to questions from the public, staff, volunteers, and rescue partners regarding animal health, care, and medical history.
• Trains and provides guidance to staff, volunteers, community service workers, and inmates on animal care, handling, sanitation, and health and safety procedures.
• Provides documentation and testimony in support of animal cruelty and other enforcement cases as needed.
• Stays abreast of professional trends and new developments in shelter medicine and veterinary technology.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of shelter medicine, veterinary technology, and animal care.
• Knowledge of animal anatomy, physiology, behavior, and breed identification.
• Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of common companion- animal diseases, injuries, parasites, and zoonotic conditions.
• Knowledge of veterinary pharmacology, medication dosages, vaccination protocols, and routes of administration.
• Knowledge of aseptic technique, surgical assisting, and anesthesia induction and monitoring.
• Knowledge of safe and humane euthanasia techniques and of the handling, security, and record-keeping requirements for controlled substances.
• Knowledge of disease-control, sanitation, isolation, quarantine, and biosecurity practices, including the safe disposal of biohazardous materials.
• Knowledge of all applicable laws, ordinances, policies, standards, and regulations pertaining to animal care, euthanasia, and controlled substances.
• Knowledge of and proficient with computers and shelter management software.
• Skill in the safe and humane handling and restraint of animals, including sick, injured, fractious, or aggressive animals.
• Skill in administering injections, medications, and vaccinations and in collecting and processing laboratory samples.
• Skill in the use and maintenance of veterinary, diagnostic, and surgical instruments and equipment.
• Skill in human relations.
• Ability to handle and account for controlled substances in accordance with the supervising veterinarian's DEA registration and all applicable state and federal regulations.
• Ability to recognize, assess, and respond appropriately to changes in animal health and behavior.
• Ability to recognize health risks such as contaminated blood, contagious diseases, anesthetic gases, and dangerous chemicals.
• Ability to assemble information and make written reports and medical records in a concise, clear, and effective manner.
• Ability to use independent judgment and discretion within established veterinary protocols.
• Ability to handle required mathematical calculations, including medication dosages.
• Ability to effectively communicate and interact with coworkers, management, veterinarians, volunteers, members of the general public, and all other groups involved in the activities of the Animal Services Department.

(ADA) MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be physically able to operate a variety of veterinary, diagnostic, and office equipment. This position requires: stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motion. Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently. Work involves exposure to animals that may be frightened or aggressive, loud noise, wet or slippery surfaces, anesthetic gases, cleaning and medical chemicals, biohazardous materials, and zoonotic disease. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for medium work.

DATA CONCEPTION: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, animals, or things.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to speak and/or signal people and/or animals to convey or exchange information. Includes giving/receiving assignments and/or directions to co-workers or assistants from supervisors.

LANGUAGE ABILITY: Requires the ability to read veterinary references, medical records, product labels, package inserts, treatment protocols, records, reports, and informational documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures. Requires the ability to prepare medical and treatment records, vaccination and surgical records, euthanasia and controlled-substance logs, and related documentation using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control, and confidence.

INTELLIGENCE: Requires the ability to learn and understand complex principles and techniques, to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation, and to make independent judgment in the absence of management.

VERBAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of administrative, technical, or professional languages including veterinary, medical, and legal terminology.

NUMERICAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add and subtract totals; multiply and divide; determine percentages; calculate medication dosages; and interpret graphs.

FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with veterinary, diagnostic, and office equipment.

MOTOR COORDINATION: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using veterinary, diagnostic, and office equipment. Requires the ability to lift, bend, push, pull, and manipulate equipment, instruments, and objects as the position necessitates.

MANUAL DEXTERITY: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as syringes, surgical and diagnostic instruments, veterinary devices, and office equipment. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

COLOR DISCRIMINATION: Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under considerable stress when confronted with an emergency. Must be adaptable to managing conflict on a routine basis. Must be adaptable to managing the grief associated with animal euthanasia.

PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (Talking – expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words). (Hearing – perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via telephone and two-way radio.

ACCGov is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. ACCGov is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Leah Jagatic, HR Coordinator, Human Resources, 762-400-6370 or [e-mail].