Licensed Veterinary Technician

Job Summary

This is a dedicated position involving knowledge of animal health in an Animal Care and Control Shelter. An employee in this class is responsible for providing animal care; recognizing, preventing, and addressing illness, injuries, and disease in an animal shelter under the direction of an approved licensed veterinarian.

Provides technical assistance, instruction, and trains subordinate personnel in the performance of animal health care duties. Duties are performed under general supervision.

Major Essential Duties

• Oversight of inventory and security of controlled substances as required by law
• Inventory, store, and control maintain veterinary and animal related supplies and equipment
• Directs the work of subordinates when performing animal care duties
• Examine animals for signs of illness, injury or disease
• Administer prescribed treatment to animals
• Perform euthanasia to incurable and unadoptable animals; maintain animal population in the animal shelter to prevent overcrowding
• Consult with licensed veterinarian concerning non-routine animal health care
• Prepare vaccines and medications; inoculate and medicate animals received to prevent viruses, parasites and other animal disorders
• Study, recommend, and assist in the review, development, and implementation of animal health care programs, policies, and procedures under the direction of a licensed veterinarian
• Provide emergency medical support to animals in the facility’s care
• Supervise and administer any classes, activities, or externships from veterinary educational programs as directed by the Animal Care and Control Director
• Supervisor triage during emergencies, disaster relief, and for animal cruelty cases
• Maintain clean and orderly medical and isolation areas
• Ability to be on call 24 hours a day seven days a week

Minor Essential Duties

• Knowledge and ability in the feeding and care of impounded animals; knowledge and ability to administer vaccines and worm medications
• Accepts animals brought into the department by citizens and follow departmental procedures for this process
• Ability to assist the public with the recovery of lost pets; by assisting owners through the shelter, completing lost reports, checking found reports, and making additional recommendations on recovery
• Ability to assist the public in choosing a pet for adoption and accurately completing adoption documentation
• Administer on the job training, as necessary
• Works with volunteers and animal rescue groups, as necessary
• Perform any other animal care and control duties as directed by the Director

Supervisory Responsibilities

Responsibilities may include the following in accordance with organizational policies and applicable laws for all positions of county government under the direction of the Judge/Executive's Office:

• Supervise Assistant Veterinary Technicians and Kennel Technicians within Animal Care & Control which may include the following:
• Assist with hiring, training, development and work assignment
• Evaluate job performance
• Provide complaint and problem resolution
• Enforce policies and procedures

Relationships

The Veterinary Technician performs duties within the Animal Care & Control department or animal shelter under the direct supervision of the Animal Control Director. For medical diagnoses, the veterinarian technician is under the direct supervision of veterinarian(s) approved by the department.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience

• Associates of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association
• Experience in handling, medicating and caring for animals, including but not limited to dogs, cats, livestock, reptile, wildlife, etc.
• Experience in personnel management preferred

Language Skills

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret policies, procedures, professional publications, and governmental regulations
• Possess strong oral, written and listening skills
• Ability to handle sensitive issues
• Mathematical Skills
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers and decimals

Reasoning Skills

• Solves practical problems while dealing with several abstract and concrete variables
• Interprets an extensive variety of complex technical and instructional information
• Makes decisions which serve the best interest of the County and impact the areas over which authority is exerted

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners Veterinary Technician License
• Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners Euthanasia Specialist License within a time specified by the Director of Animal Care and Control
• Possession of, or ability to obtain promptly, a proper Commonwealth of Kentucky motor vehicle operator's license for type of equipment operated

Other Knowledge and/or Skills

• Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, diseases, nutrition and housing
• Knowledge of pharmacology and anesthesia
• Knowledge of laboratory techniques, procedures, supplies and equipment
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and corresponding safety precautions necessary for the safe performance of assigned duties
• Ability to exercise good judgment
• Knowledge of kennel management and sanitary principles and procedures
• Ability to analyze, plan and organize animal health care programs
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions
• Ability to act independently within established guidelines
• Ability to maintain accurate medical records
• Ability to restrain animals

Physical Demands

The physical demands described represent those required to successfully perform the essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing job duties, the employee could reasonably be expected to:

Regularly (over 2/3 of regular work day)

Sit

Talk or hear

Use hands to finger, handle, feel

Lift and/or move up to 125 pounds

Occasionally (under 1/3 of regular work day)

Stand or walk

Reach with hands and arms

Drive a vehicle

Vision requirements include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus

Work Environment

The work environments described in the preceding paragraphs represents those encountered while performing the essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level is usually moderate to high
• Danger from moving traffic
• Exposure to aggressive and sick animals
• Exposure to zoonotic diseases and parasites
• Temperature level will vary from extreme cold to extreme heat
• Moisture level will vary from extreme dry to rain, snow, and ice conditions and may require immersion in water

Comments

• Must display the following:
• Positive communication
• Objectivity
• Willingness to solve problems
• Commitment to serve the county’s best interests
• Adherence to the applicable provisions of the Department Rules and Regulations, the Personnel Policy Manual, the Boone County Administrative Code, the Kentucky Revised Statutes, and any other procedures, rules, regulations, and polices set forth by appropriate authorities
• Must have personal integrity and remain free of felony convictions
• Must maintain confidentiality when required
• Must be 18 years or older
• Must be bondable