Registered, Certified, or Licensed Veterinary Technician means a person who has graduated with a degree in veterinary technology from an accredited college approved by the state veterinary medical licensing board, has successfully passed the board examination and maintains registration eligibility status in accordance with rules adopted by the state board.
Location: Animal Hospital of Meadville
Ideal Candidate: A veterinary technician will work directly with the veterinarians to provide exceptional patient care and perform duties under the direction of the veterinarian. The ideal candidate is someone who is knowledgeable about veterinary care of animals, medicine, and husbandry, including a basic knowledge of pharmacology and sufficient mathematical skills to ensure the administration of accurate drug and fluid dosages. The veterinary technician must be able to properly restrain animals, perform laboratory tests, use multiple radiology techniques, administer and monitor animals under anesthesia, assist in surgery, and perform dental procedures. Technicians must be able to educate clients and deliver compassionate nursing care.
Major Goals:
- Provide the best medical support and care to patients
- Be a detail-oriented person who can respond quickly and make good decisions
- Provide friendly, helpful, and quality customer service
- Utilize practice management software, Google, and Microsoft programs
- Have the genuine desire to and enjoy working with animals even when they are in pain, ill or stressed
- Ability to calmly and safely restrain patients who may struggle, scratch or try to bite
- Work well with fellow staff and follow mission and core values of Pine Hollow Veterinary Services
- Perform multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
Commitment: Full-time
Company Overview:
Pine Hollow Veterinary Services is a locally and privately-owned group of rapidly growing veterinary practices that includes Albion Animal Center and Animal Hospital of Meadville located in Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western Reserve Animal Clinic and Animal Hospital of Orwell located in Northeastern Ohio. We have a dedicated and tenured team of veterinarians, registered/licensed/certified technicians, assistants, and customer service representatives who we know will make you feel right at home.
We live in an area that offers many opportunities for all lifestyles. We have the option to take a Sunday stroll down Main Street or ride our side-by-side down a country road and witness all that nature has to offer. You can find the staff at the beach in the summer or hiking a trail in the fall amongst the colored leaves. We value our winters and the many snow adventures of skiing, skating or a fun neighborhood snowball fight.
Come and enjoy the low cost of living our region provides along with the many opportunities for outdoor recreation on beautiful Lake Erie and in the Allegheny National Forest while still being in proximity of the cities of Cleveland, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and Erie.
The clinics are open Monday through Friday and one Saturday a month for most of the practices. We are focused on wellness preventative care and providing the best medical standards for our patients. We provide emergency care only during normal business hours. As well as working in a progressive practice, we have a team atmosphere that is fun, collaborative, and feels appreciated at the end of the day. Our Pine Hollow culture is important.
Benefits may include continuing education, uniform allowance, vacation/sick time, health, dental, and vision insurance, Simple IRA, pet care, licensing and membership fees and more depending on employee classification.
Position Overview:
The veterinary technician is the backbone of the clinic. The purpose of this position is to assist the veterinarian in many ways to ensure that the patient is taken care of and that the client is educated and has a positive experience in our clinics. The responsibility of the veterinary technician is to perform all duties directed by the veterinarian so that the appointments run smoothly at the clinic to ensure best client and patient care along with clinic productivity. These duties include but are not limited to acquiring a medical history, drawing and running bloodwork, taking radiographs, monitoring anesthetic patients, customer care, and record keeping among other tasks. This position requires the knowledge and understanding of veterinary medical terminology and the ability to communicate with clients and fellow staff. The veterinary technician will need to keep up with veterinary industry knowledge and products to ensure the best medical patient care is provided and clients are informed of all options for treatment of their pet. The veterinary technician must be able to multitask and be able to work with computers well.
Essential Skills and Knowledge:
- Ability to assist veterinarians with wellness, medicine, or surgical cases
- Possess strong verbal and written communication skills – for client and fellow staff
- Knowledge of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words and math skills for accuracy of dosing and measurement
- Ability to remain calm and not let emotions overwhelm attitude or performance
- Ability to comprehend the severity and urgency of care needed for a patient from critical care treatments to wellness visits
- Understanding of veterinary practice policies and procedures
- Be a critical and sensible thinker – be able to problem solve
- Knowledge of veterinary practice operations – scheduling, admitting, and treating of patients, ordering supplies and laboratory testing
- Knowledge of veterinary equipment, instruments, and supplies
- Ability to work independently or as a team with fellow staff members
- Posses strong work ethic and positive work environment attitude
- Perform physical duties including lifting, grasping, standing, kneeling, and holding
- Ability to use practice management software to update patient histories, vitals, medications, services, and invoicing, amongst other veterinary practices
- Maintain a positive attitude
Education and Experience:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Associate’s degree in Applied Science or Veterinary Technology
Responsibilities:
With Veterinary Supervision:
- Administer anesthesia - including induction, intubation, maintenance and recovery and intravenous sedation.
- Perform dental prophylaxis
- Establish an open airway
- Administer resuscitative oxygen procedures
- Administer external cardiac resuscitation
- Administer resuscitative drugs, in the event of cardiac arrest.
In Direct Supervision – unless the animal is under anesthesia:
- Take radiographs with proper restraint and positioning skills
- Perform intravenous catheterization
- Administer immunizations which are not required by law to be administered in the presence of a licensed veterinarian
- Administer and apply medications and treatments by routes, including intramuscular, intravenous, and subcutaneous
- Apply bandages
- Perform cardiac monitoring
- Perform appropriate procedures to control bleeding
- Apply splints or immobilizing bandages
- Implant microchips
- Perform ear cleanings
In General:
- Assist veterinarians with veterinary medicine and surgery in all patient care scenerios
- Utilize practice management software, Google and Microsoft programs
- Obtain and record patient histories and vitals
- Perform in-clinic lab testing and prepare samples for reference lab testing
- Provide nursing care for all post-surgery, hospitalized or medicine case patients
- Prep patients, instruments, and equipment for surgery and sterilize as needed post-surgery
- Be familiar with common medications, flea and tick products, vaccinations, nutrition and dewormers.
- Provide clients with any brochures or websites to ensure proper education and financial assistance for their pet’s needs
- Be sensitive with clients regarding quality of life, terminal illness or major medical issues
- Maintain knowledge of healthcare recommendations for spaying, neutering, dental care, weight management, and other owner questions that are current in veterinary medicine
- Handle all client complaints calmly and professionally and know the proper procedures to follow to ensure a positive clinic image is maintained
- Maintain and assist with inventory supplies and equipment
- Maintain the cleanliness of the clinic
- Work professionally with outside sources that may need patient records
- Attend staff meetings for the clinic and organization throughout the year
- Attend sponsored lunches or meetings that educate staff on veterinary products
- Be familiar with practice and veterinary professional websites to guide clients and answer questions
- Contact clients whose pet’s reminders and activity have lapsed
- Work in an effective manner with all veterinary staff
- Be timely - to work and in matters throughout the work day
- Perform client calls regarding patient care and post treatment at home care
- Maintain inventory of medications, equipment and supplies
- Follow through with all issues that need to be completed
- Perform all duties of a receptionist and assistant technician
- Perform all tasks associated with maintaining clinic cleanliness, medical notes, financial bookkeeping, inventory, and customer service
How to apply:
To apply, please apply on our website by filling out a general staff application. You may also send your resume and cover letter via email to Tonia Pearce at [email protected]