Certified Veterinary Technician-Clinic and Community Services

Animal Friends Inc.; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Animal Friends Inc. is seeking a Veterinary Technician for their Clinic Services program. This role will provide vital care to pets in a fast-paced environment, assisting in surgeries, general practice, and educating clients. Candidates should have a passion for animal welfare and strong communication skills to manage client interactions effectively.

Qualifications

• Must have knowledge of basic medical terminology.
• Experience in a Veterinary Hospital or similar setting preferred.
• Ability to work in an environment with exposure to various chemicals and animal dander.

Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate care to pets and educate clients on procedures.
• Assist veterinarians during appointments, surgeries, and vaccine clinics.
• Prepare surgical sites and administer anesthesia.

Skills

Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills

Knowledge of basic medical terminology

Ability to perform SQ, IM and IV injections

Ability to safely restrain feline and canine patients

Teamwork orientation

Strong time management skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Graduate from an accredited Veterinary Technician program

Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) license

Job description

Description

Position Summary:

Animal Friends’ Clinic Services program provides access to high-quality spay/neuter and primary veterinary care to pet owners experiencing financial and accessibility constraints. The Clinic Services Veterinary Technician serves as an integral member of the Clinic Services team providing quality patient care through all facets of our clinic operations. This position assists in the daily functioning of high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter, special surgical procedures, general practice appointments, vaccine clinics and occasional dentistry.

The Clinic Services Veterinary Technician must ensure a humane environment while working with both feline and canine patients of all ages, breeds, backgrounds, health conditions and temperaments – including feral felines. Veterinary Technicians are responsible for educating clients about spay/neuter, vaccinations, and our standard of care protocols. Veterinary Technicians also play a significant role in our surgery department, responsible for inducing patients, preparing surgical sites using aseptic techniques, monitoring anesthesia during surgical procedures and recovering patients post-operatively. It is essential that the candidate has an outgoing, positive personality, excellent communication skills, a sincere interest in serving both people and animals, and comfort working in a fast-paced team environment.

Essential Functions:

Technical duties

· Provide compassionate care to patients

· Check in patients for surgery or drop off procedures

· Take accurate and appropriate patient histories

· Take vital signs of animals including temperature, pulse, and respiration

· Assist veterinarians during appointments in general practice, surgery and vaccine clinics, while adhering to the clinic’s safety and wellness protocols

· Administer treatments and injections following the instructions of a doctor or a treatment form

· Provide proper handling of pharmaceuticals including drawing up medications and/or administration of patient medications.

· Assist veterinarian and other medical staff for procedures using proper restraint, including proper restraint of fractious patients

· Review vaccination records and prepare vaccines according to our vaccine protocol

· Perform routine laboratory procedures and analyses in hematology, microbiology, urinalysis, and serology

· Obtain diagnostic imaging by utilizing proper technique and positioning.

· Maintain and use medical equipment and other surgical instruments.

· Assist veterinarians in surgical procedures using proper aseptic techniques

· Administer and monitor anesthesia including IV induction, intubation, maintenance and recovery

· Prepare surgical sites for surgical patients.

· Demonstrates awareness of the aseptic field

· Open surgical instruments using aseptic techniques

· Obtain samples for lab submissions (urine, blood, fecal etc)

· Place IV catheters

· Perform drug calculations and IV fluid rates

· Perform ear cleanings, nail trims, anal gland expressions, etc.

· Identify common external parasites: mites, lice, fleas and ticks

· Maintain cleanliness of the surgical suite as well as exam rooms, treatment areas and kennels, as often as necessary

· Identify common surgical instruments

· Clean and package surgery instruments for sterilization

· Restock supplies

· Participate in high volume vaccine clinics

· Leverage volunteer talent by engaging in their assistance within the department, thereby helping us to further our mission and vision and to achieve the organization’s expectation of 100% integration of volunteers into our programs

· Perform other duties as assigned

Client Communication

· Educate clients on various disease processes, parasitic infections, medication

· Answer client questions regarding consent forms, surgical procedures, and veterinary appointments to the best of your knowledge. Consult with the program assistant team if you are unsure of the answer.

· Advise clients of significant policy changes since their last visit.

· Speak with angry clients or grieving clients in a calm, reassuring manner. Escort complaining or angry clients from the reception area into a separate, closed room where their complaints may be heard privately. When necessary, enlist the Director of Clinic Services to resolve the complaint.

· Dispense prescribed medications and diets to clients. Discuss dosing and administration instructions to ensure that clients understand the use of prescribed products. Advise clients of common side effects of dispensed medications as instructed by doctors or technicians.

· Review surgical discharges with owners. Answer questions relating to the procedures or appointments.

· Provide clear communication to clients over the phone regarding their appointments, estimates, and billing.

· Return all voicemails on the technician line within one business day.

· Transfer clients to the appropriate department within the organization if necessary.

· Complete all assigned tasks in our software systems within one business day.

· Proficiently articulate the range of services the clinic provides, as well as the general pricing for services.

· Competently discuss our vaccine protocols and advise clients for which their pets are due.

· Proficiently implement the policies regarding provision of veterinary care, treatment of stray animals, payments, and payment plans.

· Awareness of the various community outreach programs that Animal Friends offers and how clients can use them, making direct referrals as needed.

Record Management

· Have a general understanding of our medical record systems.

· Accurately and thoroughly document all client communication within the appropriate medical system.

· Send records to clients, other hospitals, and insurance companies in a timely manner as requested.

· Maintain accurately controlled substance logs by following our controlled substance policies.

Skills and Abilities:

· Ability and willingness to work in a busy and fast-paced environment

· Must have knowledge of basic medical terminology

· Ability to perform SQ, IM and IV injections

· Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills

· Proper knowledge and ability to safely restrain feline and canine patients

· Energetic team player with a passion for Animal Friends’ mission, vision, culture, and core values

· Seeks and responds to feedback from clients to improve service; seeks to understand the perspective of others

· Must be able to self-motivate

· Strong time management skills

· Teamwork Orientation – Ability to work with others to accomplish likeminded goals and tasks for the organization

· Able to maintain a neat, organized working environment

· Able to work across multiple settings from surgical, general practice and dentistry as needed, while ensuring high-quality patient care and advancement of Animal Friends mission

· Flexible, adaptive style in working with many varied audiences in a fast-paced environment

· Must possess a love of animals, patience when handling pets, and a sincere interest in the work, programs mission, vision, culture, and core values of Animal Friends, Inc.

· Must always display professional manners and language

· Stress Management - Ability to maintain baseline behavior / composure during stressful situations

· Teamwork Oriented – Ability to work with others to accomplish likeminded goals and tasks for the organization

Requirements

Requirements

· High school diploma or equivalent required

· Graduate from an accredited Veterinary Technician program

· Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) license preferred.

· Experience in a Veterinary Hospital, General Practice or ER, Shelter Medicine, High Quality High Volume Spay/Neuter (HQHVSN) or Trap Neuter Vaccine Return (TNVR) programs preferred.

· Reliable transportation, regular onsite attendance and punctuality are required for this role and vital to organizational operations.

· Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.

· Must be able to work in an environment with exposure to disinfectant/sanitation chemicals, animal dander, excretions and contagious diseases.

· Must be able to work special events including, but not limited to, annual Black Tie & Tails gala and occasional Vaccine Clinics.

· Diversity and Inclusion – Ability to welcome, support and value individuals with similarities and differences that may vary from your own

· Must be able to push, pull, lift and/or carry up to 40 pounds regularly