Description
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Under the direction of the Animal Services Manager, the Veterinary Technician is responsible for caring for impounded animals, ensuring that they receive humane medical treatment and a fair evaluation of their adoption potential. Works closely with the staff veterinarian to coordinate medical care for sheltered animals, assist in surgeries, and perform post-operative observations. Duties include performing euthanasia on animals, supplies inventory control, security of drugs, laboratory work, and related clerical duties.
Essential Job Functions
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Performs pre-surgery physical examinations and evaluations, reports known history of the animal, blood work results, and vaccinations. Prepares animals for surgery, outfits operating room with surgical packs, assists veterinarians in surgical procedures, observes and reports animal health changes pre- and post-surgery, and maintains medical records.
- Examines, evaluates, and vaccinates impounded animals, inspects the kennel population daily for injuries or illness, and reports suspect animals to the Veterinarian.
- Administers medications, vaccinations, anesthesia, oral, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intravenous injections. Performs necessary blood draws and other required lab tests.
- Enforces, controls, and maintains the security of drugs and barbiturates according to federal laws, rules, and regulations. Reviews Pharmaceutical and Drug Enforcement Administration licenses to ensure expiration dates are not exceeded, and the license remains valid.
- Participates in Pathway Planning to help identify animals to be euthanized. Reviews and approves euthanasia records maintains accurate related logs and is responsible for all aspects of euthanizing and disposing of unadoptable animals (unhealthy, behaviorally compromised, and vicious) in compliance with approved county ordinances, policies, and procedures.
- Manages the County domestic animal licensing function and record-keeping of license applications and ensures license renewal notices are distributed per Florida State Statutes.
- Attends required Court sessions and Special Master Hearings.
- Ensure accurate documentation and proper record keeping for all content used, displayed, or transmitted electronically via the Internet related to animal care.
- In an emergency or crisis situation (hurricane, flood, etc.), the position must respond/perform recovery duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor.
- Performs duties as required to control emergencies related to animals, schedules include regular 24-hour/day, 7-day/week, 365-day/year on-call rotation.
- Maintains regular physical attendance during normal work hours as assigned at one of the county’s offices or work facilities, with the ability to work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as required.
(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job-related marginal duties as required.)
Minimum Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
- Knowledge of State and County animal ordinances, regulations, animal care policies, and procedures of the Division and the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC).
- Knowledge of animal behavior sufficient to recognize normal and abnormal behavior and diseases in domestic and wild animals.
- Knowledge of current office methods, equipment, and procedures, including word processing and use of animal software management systems.
- Skill in the use of a computer and various software.
- Ability to assist the Veterinarian during surgeries and medical procedures.
- Ability to work independently and carry out veterinary assignments from the Veterinarian.
- Ability to identify different breeds of animals and identify common animal diseases and ailments.
- Ability to maintain records and prepare written technical reports.
- Ability to maintain sanitary conditions of kennels, vehicles, and equipment.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Ability to tactfully and courteously deal with the public, rescue groups, and coworkers.
- Ability to offer accurate testimony in court proceedings, civil actions, and before hearing officers.
- Ability to effectively deal with people and animals under stress.
- Ability to respond on scene to after-hours and weekend calls within sixty (60) minutes.
Education And Experience
- Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma.
- Graduation from an accredited college or university as a Certified Veterinary Technician. (Preferred)
- Three (3) years’ experience working in the Animal field.
Licenses, Certifications, Or Registrations
- Valid Florida Driver’s License and a driving record acceptable to the insurance provider.
- Must possess and maintain certification as a Euthanasia Technician or obtain within six (6) Months of employment.
- Must possess or obtain the required National Incident Management System (NIMS) certifications within six (6) months of employment.
Supplemental Information
Essential Physical Skills
- Acceptable vision (with or without correction)
- Acceptable hearing (with or without correction)
- Moderate lifting and carrying (up to 50 pounds without assistance)
- Reaching
- Pulling
- Climbing
- Walking
- Standing
- Crawling
- Kneeling
- Bending
- Stooping
- Jumping
- Running
- Must be able to drive all vehicles as required
Vaccinations
- Hepatitis A within sixty (60) days of employment
- Hepatitis B within sixty (60) days of employment
- Pre-exposure Rabies within sixty (60) days of employment
- Tetanus within sixty (60) days of employment
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
- Work occurs in the animal shelter directly working with the animals and the staff veterinarian
- Works with animals, including parasite infested areas, dead and diseased animals
- Works inside and outside in varying weather conditions with noise and dust
- Works on uneven, slippery surfaces and heights
- Works with moving objects and vehicles
- Works in stressful situations
Reasonable accommodation will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.
FLSA Non -Exempt Status
Reviewed 08/14/2024
Click here to explore our full benefits package!
Sumter County employees with full-time status are eligible to receive medical, dental, short-term disability, and life insurance benefits. Vision, dependent coverage, and additional voluntary insurance benefits are available through payroll deduction at the employee’s expense. Sumter County participates in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) and contributes based on current legislative requirements. Additional benefits include 11 Paid Holidays, paid time off (PTO), and educational assistance reimbursement.
01
Did you graduate from an accredited high school or have an acceptable equivalency diploma?
02
Did you graduate from an accredited college or university as a Certified Veterinary Technician? (Preferred)
03
Do you have three (3) years' experience working in the Animal field?
04
Do you have a certification as a Euthanasia Technician or can you obtain within six (6) Months of employment?
