Locum Vet Tech/Assitant Needed!

Vicar Operating, Inc. dba VCA; United States; On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k)

Pet discount

Paid vacation/sick days

Job summary

VCA Animal Hospitals is seeking a dedicated veterinary technician to support doctors during exams and surgeries, restrain and treat patients, and perform in-house tests and radiographs. You will prepare medications, manage supplies, and assist with client communication in a fast-paced hospital setting.

The role involves preparing the treatment area, maintaining equipment, and ensuring patient well-being from admission to discharge, with opportunities for professional growth within a leading

Qualifications

• Able to restrain and handle pets for examinations and procedures.
• Strong client communication to relay information and care instructions.
• Attention to detail for med prep, labeling, and charting.

Responsibilities

• Prepare exam rooms and treatment areas; ensure supplies and meds are stocked and current.
• Administer and prepare medications for outpatients and inpatients as directed.
• Assist doctors during exams and procedures; provide tableside support.
• Perform phlebotomy, radiographs, and basic in-house lab tests; prepare samples for outside labs.
• Record patient data and charges; ensure proper discharge and follow-up communication.
• Maintain equipment and hospital areas; uphold sanitation and safety standards.

Skills

Animal handling

Communication

Detail oriented

Tools

X-ray equipment

Anesthesia machine

Job description

MAJOR DUTIES, General

• Prepare for office hours by stocking exam rooms and treatment area assuring that all supplies and medications are stocked, currently dated and equipment is maintained.
• Provide restraint of pets for examination and treatments.
• Prepare medications (both injectable and oral medications) for both outpatients and inpatients, and administer medications as directed.
• Help the doctor treat patients; assist in medical or surgical procedures. Perform the full range of “tableside” assistance to the Practitioners.
• Perform clinical laboratory procedures such as phlebotomy, cystocentisis, urinary cath, IV cath placement, fine needle aspirates, and skin scrapings. Prepare samples for shipment to laboratory and prepare laboratory forms. Perform other in-house tests such as parvo tests, feline leukemia/FIV virus tests, heartworm test, urinalysis, etc.. Maintain file of lab work sent to outside labs.
• Take radiographs
• Record patient weights and vital statistics, record observations on patient status such as nature and amount of vomitus, bowel movements, and urinations.
• Perform nail trims, ear cleanings and anal sac expressions.
• Admit and discharge patients per the Doctor’s orders, being especially careful to ensure that patients being discharged are well-groomed and in a medically appropriate state.
• Answer client questions to the best of your ability. Pass on information/advice from the Doctor(s); explain dosage/purpose of medications; reinforce thorough discussion the proper care and procedures that should be followed at home.
• Call back/follow-up with clients concerning post-op patients; recommend additional visit if patient’s progress does not appear satisfactory.
• Record charges on the invoice for procedures and tests performed by the technicians and Doctor(s).
• Perform general cleaning of all hospital areas including, but not limited to treatment area, surgery, x-ray, hospital wards, exam rooms, and crematorium.
• Perform any other duties that are requested by the Doctor or Tech Supervisor.

MAJOR DUTIES, Surgical/Dentistry

• Set up surgery suite and dental table as needed for the day’s procedures. Place IV catheters and start pre-op blood work if needed.
• Get together all necessary instruments and equipment needed.
• Consult the Doctor and prepare anesthetic according to pet’s weight and needs. Prepare anesthetic machine, trach tube and necessary equipment.
• Assist doctor with surgery procedures.
• Perform dental prophylactic cleanings on dogs and cats. Perform dental radiographs.
• Clean up animals following surgery: trim nails and clean ears. Check file to see if anything else is needed while pet is in the hospital. Administer medications as per the Doctor’s recommendations.
• Monitor pet throughout recovery. Perform support therapy to patients in surgery and post-op.
• Prepare for next surgery until all are completed.
• Properly clean, pack and autoclave all surgical materials (instruments, drapes, and equipment) after they are used. Keep the operating room properly stocked and prepared for surgery.
• Assist Doctor in posting all charges to invoice.
• Review sterilization dates on instruments and re-sterilize as needed.
• Maintain all anesthetic machines, autoclave, and equipment used in surgery.
• Maintain inventory on all suture or surgery supplies and place on want list, if needed.
• Thoroughly clean surgery room and area daily.

Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!

The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development).

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com.

A leader in veterinary care, VCA Animal Hospitals is committed to taking care of the future of veterinary medicine. We are a family of hometown animal hospitals determined to positively impact pets, people and our communities. From primary care to emergency, urgent and specialty care, VCA delivers world-class medicine and hometown care to more than four million pets each year. We invest in cutting-edge tools, training and technology that enable Associates across our national network of hospitals to lead the industry today and into tomorrow. Among our talented 35,000 Associates are nearly 7,000 veterinarians – including 500 who are board-certified specialists – nearly 4,000 credentialed technicians and over 10,000 veterinary assistants – all dedicated to giving pets the very best in medical care. The future of veterinary medicine is in our hands.

Join us.