Veterinary Technician

Jefferson County, Missouri - Government; Missouri; On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Jefferson County Government is seeking a Veterinary Technician to assist a contracted veterinarian, provide medical care and monitor animals in the shelter.

The role includes vaccinations, medical recordkeeping in ShelterNet, and coordination of offsite and onsite care, with an emphasis on sanitary shelter conditions and compassionate animal handling.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in a related field.
• 1 year of relevant work experience required.
• Registered Veterinary Technician license in Missouri.
• Must be able to lift and restrain large animals.

Responsibilities

• Conduct intake exams and evaluate animals for illness, injury, or abnormalities.
• Administer vaccinations, medications, and parasite prevention.
• Document treatments and test results in ShelterNet.
• Perform fecal and heartworm tests.
• Maintain stock of medications and report low inventory.
• Coordinate medical care with offsite veterinarian for onsite care.
• Monitor shelter animals for illness or distress.
• Maintain sanitary and safe animal areas.
• Assist with adoption counseling and provide medical history to adopters.
• Stay current on best practices in animal health and shelter medicine.
• Complete other related tasks as assigned.

Skills

Animal health assessment

Vaccination administration

Medical recordkeeping

Diagnostic testing

Inventory control

Shelter medicine

Public communication

Training and development

Education

Associates (Related Field)

Tools

ShelterNet software

Microsoft 365

Job description

This position works Monday through Friday.

The Animal Resource Center is located at 4848 State Route 30 in House Springs, MO

JOB SUMMARY

Veterinary Technician

Assists, under the supervision of the offsite contracted veterinarian, with providing medical care, preventive treatments, and monitoring of animals while ensuring sanitary and safe shelter conditions.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Animal Health Assessment: Conduct intake exams and evaluate animals for illness, injury, or abnormalities.
• Medical Treatment Administration: Administer vaccinations, medications, and parasite prevention as prescribed.
• Medical Recordkeeping: Document treatments, test results, and veterinary instructions accurately in ShelterNet.
• Diagnostic Testing: Perform and process diagnostic tests such as fecal exams and heartworm testing.
• Inventory Control: Maintain stock of medications and medical supplies and report low inventory.
• Veterinary Coordination: Arrange and manage medical care for animals withon offsite veterinarian to provide onsite care.
• Shelter Animal Monitoring: Observe animals for signs of illness or distress and report changes promptly.
• Sanitation and Safety: Maintain clean, sanitary, and safe working conditions in all animal areas.
• Public Communication: Assist with adoption counseling and provide medical history information to adopters.
• Training and Development: Stay current on best practices in animal health, handling, and shelter medicine.
• The individual in this role is expected to contribute to the team's efforts by completing other related tasks, as may be assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE – The following are the minimum education and experience required for the position. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered.

Education

• Associates (Related Field)

Experience

• 1 year previous relevant work experience is required.

Special Experience

• Must be able to control, lift and carry large animals.

Training Requisites

Certifications

• Registered Veterinary Technician license in the state of Missouri, CE to maintain licensure in the state of Missouri (5 credits yearly).

Licensing

• Must possess a valid State Driver's License.

SUCCESS FRAMEWORK. The following list of knowledge, skills, and abilities have been identified by our team as building blocks towards efficiency and effectiveness in this role.

• Knowledge of veterinary medical terminology and procedures.
• Skill in conducting animal physical exams and health assessments.
• Ability to administer vaccinations, medications, and treatments.
• Knowledge of disease prevention, sanitation, and infection control.
• Skill in collecting biological samples for diagnostic testing.
• Ability to work with animals that demonstraet a range of temperaments.
• Knowledge of animal nutrition and husbandry standards.
• Ability to maintain accurate medical and inventory records.
• Skill in handling and restraining animals safely and humanely.
• Knowledge of ShelterNet or similar medical record software.
• Ability to communicate effectively with veterinarians and staff.
• Skill in recognizing signs of illness, injury, or distress in animals.
• Knowledge of controlled substance handling and reporting requirements.
• Ability to educate shelter staff on animal health and safety protocols.
• Strong compassion, empathy, and attention to detail in animal care.

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

Vaccines; PPE; syringes/needles; stethoscope; ophthalmoscope/otoscope; leashes/muzzles; scales; microchip scanner; treatment carts; autoclave; Shelter software; Microsoft 365; grooming tools; nail trimmers; clippers; microscope.

WORK ENVIRONMENT or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of this job.

• Clinical/shelter environment; exposure to biohazards and zoonotic diseases; animal handling/restraint; standing for long periods.
• Must be able to work weekends, holidays and after-hours on a rotational basis.
• Due to routine exposure to animals, employees must have or obtain pre-exposure vaccination for Rabies and adhere to ongoing monitoring or booster recommendations as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• May regularly be exposed to uncomfortable temperatures, humidity, noise, chemicals/gases, contagious diseases, airborne particles/pathogens, and/or possible physical injury associated with animal handling.
• May be required to work in confined spaces.

* PHYSICAL ABILITIES -The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Work requires the ability to sit, stand, walk for extended periods of time.
• Work requires the ability to complete repetitive wrist, hand, and/or fine motor movement.
• Work requires the ability to grasp, pull, push, and reach.
• Work requires the ability to talk, hear, listen, and comprehend.
• Work requires visual acuity of 20 feet or more, visual acuity of 20 inches or less, three dimensional vision, precise hand/eye coordination, the ability to identify and distinguish colors
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Work requires the ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl.

Normal Entry Salary$20.11 per hour

Salary RangeEOE Statement: Jefferson County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, protected veteran or uniformed servicemember status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law.