Certified Veterinary Technician

Hawthorne Animal Hospital Ltd; Troy Township (IL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid time offai

Vision insurance

Employee Pet Wellness Program

Referral Program

Professional development assistance

Job summary

Hawthorne Animal Hospital Ltd in Illinois seeks a Certified Veterinary Technician to join a fast-paced team. You will assist doctors, handle emergencies, prepare patients for surgery, and manage medical records with care.

The role requires strong communication with clients and staff, calmness under pressure, and a commitment to animal welfare. Prior veterinary experience is preferred; CVA is a plus.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Formal or on-the-job training as a veterinary assistant (preferred).
• CVA certification preferred.
• Proficient computer skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to multitask and stay calm in stressful situations.

Responsibilities

• Animal restraint and triage of incoming patients and emergencies.
• Administer vaccines and medications under supervision.
• Prepare patients for surgery and assist anesthesia.
• Assist in radiology and laboratory testing, including blood draws.
• Maintain medical records and SOAP notes with accuracy.
• Provide kennel upkeep, patient care, and post-care instructions.
• Answer phones, schedule appointments, and liaise with clients.
• Assist with inventory management and hospital maintenance.
• Attend staff meetings and participate in training sessions.
• Adhere to safety protocols and maintain a clean hospital environment.

Skills

Client communication

Calm under pressure

Team collaboration

Multi-tasking

Animal handling

Laboratory skills

Education

CVA (preferred)

Tools

VetNotes

Job description

What are we looking for as a Certified Veterinary Technician

A high work ethic and positive attitude team member

An excellent communicator. You will be interacting with doctors, nurses, clients, support staff, other veterinary clinics, pharmacies, and more.

A dedicated individual to providing exceptional care of pets and our clients.

A self-starter willing to help where needed.

Certified Veterinary Technician Job Overview:

Animal restraint, triage of incoming patients and emergencies, administration of vaccines, animal husbandry, collection of lab samples, diagnostic imaging, management and nursing care of hospitalized cases with varying degrees of stability, administration of medications, effective communication with staff and clients, surgical preparation, assistance in anesthetic management.

The ideal candidate will have:

Be comfortable interacting with clients in person and over the phone.

Be able to remain calm patient situations.

Experience in a veterinary hospital setting is preferred.

Laboratory

• Uses proper restraint techniques for animals to effectively perform healthcare tasks.
• Performs or assists with blood draws, fecals, cystocentesis, and so forth for examination and analysis.
• Prepares blood slides, cytologies, fecals, etc. and labels samples for laboratory testing.
• Relay negative test results for the veterinarian.

2. Examination and Treatment

• Load exam rooms, take patient history and vital signs, create S.O.A.P. notes, and write doctor’s exam notes, and use of VetNotes. Maintain accurate records.
• Ensure a comfortable and sanitary environment for all patients under treatment
• Responsible for care of hospitalized patients and patients being seen by a doctor including but not limited to kennel upkeep, patient exercise, feeding, medicating, shaving, and all assigned patient care related tasks
• Properly and safely restrain patients, reliably and with compassion to prepare for procedures performed by technicians and/or doctors. Is conscious of patient comfort needs
• Observe patients throughout the day for signs of illness, parasites and disease control, assessment of change in patient status. Report any abnormalities or concerns to the veterinarian in charge or team lead technician.
• Under the direction of a veterinarian, administer oral medications.
• Assist with nail trimming, ear cleaning; expressing anal glands.
• Correctly prepares and administers medications, vaccines, serums or treatments which the doctor has prescribed.
• Prep patients for surgery, assist when needed.
• Assist with the operation of the anesthesia machine and other applicable equipment.
• Assist in radiology.
• Prepare surgery packs and cutting surgery drapes.
• Clean and autoclave syringes, needles and other surgical instruments throughout the shift. Thoroughly clean autoclave per hospital schedule.
• Perform and assists with rehabilitation regiments and treatments. This includes but is not limited to: the underwater treadmill, water treadmill maintenance, cleaning it with vinegar solution after use, inflatable therapy instruments (laser therapy), and Cavaletti poles.
• Assist the Veterinary Technician, who is responsible for dental cleanings, during dental cleanings.
• Clean up messes when necessary to provide a safe and healthy hospital environment.

3. Office Management

• Create hospital sheets in order to track patients admitted into the hospital, and helps admit hospital patients.
• Answer and direct phone calls, discusses results with clients, and schedules appointments
• Utilize message center to pass along messages from clients to the doctors and vice versa.
• Understand proper medical record keeping, how to correctly invoice, and how to record notes in patient file.
• Assist with paperwork involved with surgery (SOAP surgery, discharge forms, dental charts, etc.)
• Conduct charges to ensure the hospital is being paid properly for services provided and checks out clients after the treatment has been completed
• Utilize health care plans in the hope that payments will be more feasible for clients to manage.
• Discharges patients, discusses post visit care instructions with clients, and reviews invoices for completion and correctness. Accepts and processes payment from the client in the exam room.
• Fill medications to ensure prescriptions are sent to the pharmacy, creates written script for DVM to sign as needed, or calls medications into an off-site pharmacy.

4. Inventory

• Restock shelves and drawers in exam rooms and treatment area with necessary supplies
• Assist with maintaining proper levels of drugs, medical supplies and cleaning

5. Hospital Maintenance

• Clean exams rooms after each visit and prepare for the next client and patient. Ensure supplies are always available and adequately stocked in exam rooms and treatment room.
• Prepare and sanitize surgery suite, treatment area, isolation ward, and all kennels used by patients here for treatment. Clean and maintain holding areas.
• Properly maintain equipment according to maintenance schedule.
• Work well with all employees and ensure that your actions support the hospital, the doctors, and the medicine that we practice.

6. Client Service and Reception

• Function as liaison between technician and client during some technician appointments
• Assist CSR’s with outpatients and hospitalized patients from admission to discharge with clerical and administrative work, including knowledge of patient folders, vaccine schedules, proper phone call etiquette, and other front desk procedures.
• Communicate with clients using a professional, cheerful, and helpful attitude, using knowledge of preventative health care recommendations to accurately answer questions and relay doctor’s or technician’s information.

7. Attends all staff and training meetings

8. Completes other duties as assigned and/or needed to keep a clean and safe working environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Active Listening – Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Monitoring – Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself or other individuals to make improvements or take corrective actions.

Service Orientation – Actively looking for ways to help people and animals, and confidently executing those actions plans.

Oral Expression – The ability to communicate information and ideas to one or more persons at a time in speaking so others will understand.

Multi-tasking – The ability to perform more than one task at one time or keep track of many actions taking place.

Customer and Personal Service – Knowledge of principles and processes for providing client and personal services. This includes client needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of client satisfaction.(Example: Be able to read the atmosphere in a room and stay aware if money concerns are expressed).

Biology – Basic knowledge of animal organisms, tissues, cells, functions, behaviors, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Judgment and Decision Making

• Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions, choosing the most appropriate one
• Ability to assess situations and complete tasks safely (Example: Understand and address money or rehabilitations concerns early, knowing priorities and without judging the clients).

Technology – Knowledge of basic computer functions and communication operating systems like phones and walkie-talkie radios.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Formal or on-the-job training as a veterinary assistant (preferred)
• CVA (preferred)
• Proficient computer skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Must work effectively and efficiently in a fast-paced and high stress environment
• Ability to remain calm in the face of various types of stressful situations, not allowing emotions to overwhelm attitude and/or performance
• Exhibit strong problem solving and an organized approach to the position.
• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks as well as to accept direction on given assignments.
• Ability to foster positive work environment for colleagues and clients
• Strong affinity for animals
• Outstanding people skills
• Pass a drug screen test
• Pass a criminal background check
• Be able to lift, as needed, at least forty pounds of weight
• Ability to multitask in a dynamic environment
• Undeterred by being scratched and bitten by patients.
• A good team player

Personal Requirements

• Genuinely enjoys working with animals and is able to deal with them even when they are stressed or ill or in pain
• Can stay calm and efficient during a medical crisis.
• Is able to work effectively with doctors
• Is experienced in the teamwork approach and works well with all hospital staff members.
• Has excellent client communication skills.

Physical Effort

• Work requires lifting and carrying animals (will be assisted by other staff members in lifting animals over 40 lbs).
• Walks or stands for approximately 90% of the time.
• Frequently works In a bent position

Working Conditions

May be exposed to unpleasant odors, noises and animal feces. May be exposed to bites, scratches and contagious diseases.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time offai
• Vision insurance
• Employee Pet Wellness Program
• Referral Program
• Professional development assistance