Overall Summary: The Veterinary Technician Assistant is responsible for providing support to the Registered Veterinary Technicians and the Veterinarians throughout the day, and fulfills maintenance and other administrative support functions throughout the clinic. The duties include patient restraint, cleaning and stocking, laboratory test processing, relieving patients, retrieving dogs from kennels, and other similar tasks as assigned. Under the supervision of the RVTs and Veterinarians and depending upon experience level, the Technician Assistant may assist with other higher level functions when needed. As time permits and after daily tasks are completed, more technical duties and continuing education will be provided as appropriate for this position.

Position Essential Functions:

Administers medications orally, topically, and by various injection routes to both adult dogs and puppies.  Fills prescriptions.

Assists in patient nursing (duties based upon experience and training) such as cleaning, feeding, relieving, physical therapy, assisting in surgery, anesthetic monitoring, recovery, administering medications, and dental cleanings.

Performs procedures such as radiographs and collects/prepares/processes samples for both in-house lab tests outside laboratories.

Understands introductory concepts of low-stress handling techniques and animal behavior. Restrains and handles all dogs in accordance with these techniques to contribute to their success as guides.

Enters information into the medical record with attention to detail to ensure accurate record keeping.

Admit and discharge patients from the clinic in a responsive, courteous and tactful manner to both internal and external clients.

Performs daily and weekly maintenance and housekeeping tasks in the clinic. These tasks include cleaning, unpacking and stocking of clinic supplies, preparation and stocking of the surgery suite, treatment room, examination rooms, preparation of the surgery packs, and disinfecting the clinic within health standards and safe workplace procedures.

Maintains in house laboratory equipment as well as other technical and surgical equipment as needed.

Follows and understands vet care, bio-security and other relevant GDB protocols.

Adheres to GDB safety policies and procedures and encourages others to do the same. Promptly reports incidents and accidents following GDB procedures.

Position Requirements:

A minimum of one year of position-related experience.

Able to work independently, follow instructions, and be detail orientated.

Possess good interpersonal skills and a pleasant and professional manner working with other staff, volunteers, the public, and others contacted in the course of work.

Be able to safely handle a variety of large breed dogs, weighing up to 90 pounds, with varying strength and manageability. Ability to safely lift up to 40 pounds. Employees are required to seek assistance when lifting dogs or objects weighing more than 40 pounds.

Be able to communicate effectively via voice mail and e-mail: able to perform basic word processing and database tasks in a Windows based environment.

Understand basic veterinary medical terminology and be familiar with basic veterinary procedures and treatments.

Be able to withstand up to three hours of repetitive bending, stooping, kneeling, and squatting.

Be flexible to work weekends and evenings, when required.

Ideally, possess a current California Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substance Permit (VACSP).

Current driver’s license and insurability at normal risk rates.

High school diploma or equivalent.

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS:

This is a full-time, non-exempt position