Veterinary Technician

Monday, October 16, 2023

Full Time Veterinary Technician
Friends of Strays Animal Shelter is St. Petersburg’s oldest no kill animal shelter. Founded in 1978, our top priority is to connect animals in need of rescue with people who will love them. With thousands of cats and dogs entering our shelter every year, Friends of Strays’ staff and volunteers provide the utmost love and care for every animal that comes through our doors.

If you have a passion for animals, and want to be a part of a dedicated, hardworking team, a career at Friends of Strays could be right for you! You can make a real difference for homeless animals.

As Veterinary Technician, you will be responsible for caring for animals under the supervision of the Medical Director/Veterinarian and Shelter Director. Performs daily care of all patients in isolation rooms, surgical patients, and adoptable animals throughout the shelter. Maintains the medical department through cleaning and organization to reduce spread of disease. Trains shelter staff to utilize approved patient care protocols

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Works closely with Medical Director, Medical Manager, Shelter Director, Animal Care, Adoptions Coordinator, Foster Coordinator, and other staff.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

  • Maintain knowledge and ability to intake and release patients, including delivering post-operative instructions in a competent and friendly manner
  • Know basic veterinary medical concepts
  • Communicate in effective and professional manner with public, trainees, and all FOS staff members and leadership
  • Represent FOS in a professional and courteous manner at all times
  • Follow all written and verbally communicated departmental standard operating procedures
  • Prepare patients for surgery, observing all clinic procedures, to enforce sterility and safety of patients
  • Assist doctors and veterinary technicians with pre-, peri- and post-operative care of patients
  • General duties in the operating room during surgery including assisting with movement of patients, recovery of patients, and general flow
  • Maintain controlled drug log by the terms of FL guidelines.
  • Able to monitor anesthesia, with a clear idea of abnormal conditions
  • Ensure proper care of animals in our foster program and provide follow up with foster families
  • Ensure prompt and accurate paperwork procedures are followed each day
  • Able to respond appropriately during an emergency, able to take directions from a veterinarian and/or veterinary technician, and maintain competency in CPR procedures
  • Able to perform math calculations to give animals needed medications using their weight.
  • Able to work full days as a kennel assistant as assigned
  • Able to help develop protocols for new programs.
  • Train new veterinary assistants, new staff members, interns, and volunteers to utilize our patient care protocols
  • Able to work shifts as assigned
  • Other duties as assigned

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

  • Must have a high school diploma
  • CVT, RVT, LVT (preferred)
  • Must speak fluent English
  • Familiar with client education
  • Must be able to learn basic veterinary medical concepts, including but not limited to vaccine protocols and anesthetic risks
  • Must also be able to communicate basic veterinary concepts to owners and be able to repeat information relayed by a veterinarian
  • Will be asked to take medical histories for surgical rechecks, and exams.
  • Will be asked to communicate with the public on a daily basis in a professional manner

ANIMAL HANDLING

  • Must be able to learn characteristics of animal behavior (for example: be able to identify aggressive or fearful behavior)
  • Must be able to use appropriate safety equipment for fractious or feral animals (will train) – the use of safety equipment is mandatory
  • Must possess excellent reflexes
  • Should be able to identify own limitations and be willing to ask for help
  • Must become proficient at animal restraint for various procedures

PREFERRED
Two or more years of experience in an animal shelter or control facility, veterinary clinic, and/or veterinary hospital. Candidate should be highly motivated, enthusiastic self-starter with a professional attitude.

Job Type: Full-timeFull Time Veterinary Technician
Friends of Strays Animal Shelter is St. Petersburg’s oldest no kill animal shelter. Founded in 1978, our top priority is to connect animals in need of rescue with people who will love them. With thousands of cats and dogs entering our shelter every year, Friends of Strays’ staff and volunteers provide the utmost love and care for every animal that comes through our doors.

If you have a passion for animals, and want to be a part of a dedicated, hardworking team, a career at Friends of Strays could be right for you! You can make a real difference for homeless animals.

As Veterinary Technician, you will be responsible for caring for animals under the supervision of the Medical Director/Veterinarian and Shelter Director. Performs daily care of all patients in isolation rooms, surgical patients, and adoptable animals throughout the shelter. Maintains the medical department through cleaning and organization to reduce spread of disease. Trains shelter staff to utilize approved patient care protocols

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Works closely with Medical Director, Medical Manager, Shelter Director, Animal Care, Adoptions Coordinator, Foster Coordinator, and other staff.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

  • Maintain knowledge and ability to intake and release patients, including delivering post-operative instructions in a competent and friendly manner
  • Know basic veterinary medical concepts
  • Communicate in effective and professional manner with public, trainees, and all FOS staff members and leadership
  • Represent FOS in a professional and courteous manner at all times
  • Follow all written and verbally communicated departmental standard operating procedures
  • Prepare patients for surgery, observing all clinic procedures, to enforce sterility and safety of patients
  • Assist doctors and veterinary technicians with pre-, peri- and post-operative care of patients
  • General duties in the operating room during surgery including assisting with movement of patients, recovery of patients, and general flow
  • Maintain controlled drug log by the terms of FL guidelines.
  • Able to monitor anesthesia, with a clear idea of abnormal conditions
  • Ensure proper care of animals in our foster program and provide follow up with foster families
  • Ensure prompt and accurate paperwork procedures are followed each day
  • Able to respond appropriately during an emergency, able to take directions from a veterinarian and/or veterinary technician, and maintain competency in CPR procedures
  • Able to perform math calculations to give animals needed medications using their weight.
  • Able to work full days as a kennel assistant as assigned
  • Able to help develop protocols for new programs.
  • Train new veterinary assistants, new staff members, interns, and volunteers to utilize our patient care protocols
  • Able to work shifts as assigned
  • Other duties as assigned

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

  • Must have a high school diploma
  • CVT, RVT, LVT (preferred)
  • Must speak fluent English
  • Familiar with client education
  • Must be able to learn basic veterinary medical concepts, including but not limited to vaccine protocols and anesthetic risks
  • Must also be able to communicate basic veterinary concepts to owners and be able to repeat information relayed by a veterinarian
  • Will be asked to take medical histories for surgical rechecks, and exams.
  • Will be asked to communicate with the public on a daily basis in a professional manner

ANIMAL HANDLING

  • Must be able to learn characteristics of animal behavior (for example: be able to identify aggressive or fearful behavior)
  • Must be able to use appropriate safety equipment for fractious or feral animals (will train) – the use of safety equipment is mandatory
  • Must possess excellent reflexes
  • Should be able to identify own limitations and be willing to ask for help
  • Must become proficient at animal restraint for various procedures

PREFERRED
Two or more years of experience in an animal shelter or control facility, veterinary clinic, and/or veterinary hospital. Candidate should be highly motivated, enthusiastic self-starter with a professional attitude.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $16.00 per hour

Benefits:

  • Flexible schedule
  • Life insurance
  • Professional development assistance

Schedule:

  • 10 hour shift

Ability to commute/relocate:

  • Saint Petersburg, FL 33714: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:

  • Vet Tech: 1 year (Required)

Work Location: In person

To apply for this role, please Click here

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