SR VETERINARY TECHNICIAN

Job Description:

SR VETERINARY TECHNICIAN

Description

Description

Under limited supervision, is responsible for the care of animals to include ensuring clean and humane living conditions and basic medical treatment. Position may require shift rotations, call-in after hours and/or weekends and holidays.

Examples of Duties

• Administers basic medical treatments, including vaccinations, intestinal deworming agents (oral or topical) and other parasiticides including but not limited to heartworm prevention, flea/tick control, ear mite infection, and/or scabies/demodicosis treatment.
• Takes and records TPR (temperature, pulse, respiration).
• Collects blood, fecal, urine, ear cytology, skin cytology and other diagnostic samples.
• Performs basic diagnostic procedures and documents results as directed, including but not limited to heartworm antigen tests, fecal examinations (direct or float), urinalysis, skin scrapes, and Diff Quik or gram stain preparation of other cytology samples as appropriate.
• Cleans and maintains laboratory equipment.
• Assists with restraining, sedation and other preparations for medical procedures.
• Transfers animals to and from appropriate kennel/cattery areas during stray holds and quarantine periods as appropriate, to include placing and transferring identification papers or other items specific to that animal in an effort to prevent misplacements or losses.
• Observes and records detailed information in medical records regarding the physical signs or symptoms of any animal suspected of having rabies or other contagious or infectious diseases, and promptly provides verbal notification to the Shelter/Center Manager so that medical treatments and/or other interventions may be instituted promptly.
• Prepares and records medical histories, procedures and other pertinent medical information in the written medical record and/or appropriate shelter software program for all animals housed in the shelter.
• Performs decapitation of deceased animals suspected of having rabies. Prepares/packages/stores samples post-decapitation and notifies appropriate shelter staff and outside agencies that sample is ready for transport in a timely fashion.
• Maintains a working inventory of veterinary medical supplies, medications, equipment, food, cleaning and other husbandry items as assigned.
• Transports animals to offsite locations including adoption events, fundraising events, other shelter or rescue facilities and veterinary/ER clinics as directed.
• Provides assistance/information to customers concerning animals available for adoption and adoption/foster policies, to include providing medical discharge information to adopters as required.
• Responds to disasters and emergencies as directed by the Animal Care and Control Director and/or Emergency Management.

• Supervises the work of subordinate personnel; supervisory duties include instructing; planning; assigning and reviewing work of others; selecting new employees; acting on employee problems; recommending employee discipline and discharge; reviews the work of subordinates for completeness and accuracy; evaluates performance and makes recommendations as appropriate; offers training, advice and assistance as needed.

• Receives animals being delivered to the shelter by officers and/or the public.
• Impounds and processes the animals, places them within the facility appropriately, and maintains accountability by keeping animals with their respective records.
• Assists with the feeding and cleaning of animals when needed, including providing fresh food and water appropriate to the life stage or medical needs of each animal, removing soiled bedding, sanitization of kennel areas and provides clean bedding.
• Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as the immediate supervisor, co-workers, County personnel, complainants, various community/civic organizations, various Government agencies, vendors and the general public.

• Performs Euthanasia of animals

• Operates a vehicle and a variety of equipment which include a computer, fax machine, copier, calculator, telephone, two-way radio, camera, etc.
• Attends and remains at work regularly and adheres to policies and procedures regarding absenteeism and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and leave requests.

• Performs related duties as required.

(These essential functions are not a complete statement of all duties required of the job. Employees will be required to perform such other related job duties as may be assigned or required.)

Typical Qualifications

Requires a high school diploma or GED equivalent supplemented by a minimum of four (4) years’ experience in animal behavior, animal handling/husbandry, biology, herd health management, laboratory technician, phlebotomy, pre-medical, pre-veterinary or veterinary technician or possess a veterinary technician certification from an accredited institution. Must obtain a Florida Animal Control Officer Certification and Euthanasia Certification within 1 (one) year from date in position. Must possess a valid Class E Drivers License.

Supplemental Information

• Knowledge of the methods, policies and procedures of the Department and County as they pertain to the performance duties of the Sr. Veterinary Technician.
• Knowledge of the functions and interrelationships of the County and other Governmental agencies.
• Knowledge in the laws, ordinances, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Knowledge of codes and regulations related to Animal Control enforcement.
• Ability to safely handle, transport and restrain an animal for examination.
• Ability to correctly identify a variety of domestic and wild animals, including breed, age, temperament, gender and spay/neuter status where applicable.
• Knowledge and understanding of basic medical terminology, abbreviations and orders.
• Ability to recognize via observation potential medical issues including but not limited to gastrointestinal problems (vomiting/diarrhea), estrus or other vaginal discharge, upper respiratory signs (sneezing, coughing, ocular/nasal discharge), difficulty breathing, lameness, abnormalities of the hair or skin, balance disorders (ataxia) or other neurologic issues, abnormalities of the eyes/ears/oral cavity, physical trauma (lacerations, fractures, excessive bleeding) or other wounds/abscesses/infections.
• Knowledge of humane euthanasia equipment, supplies, practices and procedures.
• Ability to apply current euthanasia practices and procedures to perform safe, humane euthanasia of animals as required.
• Knowledge of common drug names and a basic understanding of drug classes and most common clinical uses.
• Ability to safely use and apply animal handling and restraint techniques and equipment on animals including injured, fractious, feral or wild animals weighing up to or over 50lbs and with the potential to be behaviorally unpredictable and potentially dangerous.
• Ability to draw blood, collect fecal/urine samples, observe and record TPR as appropriate.
• Ability to administer medications at the appropriate dose via oral, subcutaneous, intravenous, or rectal route as directed by a veterinarian.
• Ability to perform decapitation of deceased animals suspected of having rabies using appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Ability to communicate in English, including the ability to read, write and comprehend oral or written instructions/directions given in English.
• Ability to accurately perform basic mathematical calculations using whole numbers, decimals, and unit conversions.
• Ability to plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities.
• Ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency.
• Knowledge of proper English usage, punctuation, spelling and grammar.
• Ability to read and interpret materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job.
• Ability to assemble and analyze information and make written reports and records in a concise, clear and effective manner.
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with co-workers and personnel in other departments, professionals and members of the public through contact and cooperation.
• Ability to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS:

• Stooping

• Kneeling
• Bending
• Crouching
• Reaching
• Standing
• Walking
• Sitting
• Lifting and carrying up to 75 lbs
• Pushing and pulling
• Climbing on ladders, on steps, or on the ground
• Strength sufficient to assist in handling animals.

(Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability)

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Works inside and outside in shelter environment and offsite.
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the industry.

• Ability to work effectively despite exposure to weather conditions of heat and cold, wetness, humidity, machinery hazards electrical currents, smoke/dust, odors, dirt/pollen, dangerous animals, traffic hazards, and noise extremes.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will continue to be received until the listed closing date or the position is filled, whichever is earliest. Submission of an application does not guarantee the applicant an interview. Applicants will be subject to a criminal background check.

Nassau County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace. Nassau County values the service veterans and their family members have given to our country and that the County supports the hiring of returning service members, military spouses, and their family members as such this position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference in accordance with applicable laws.

The information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, environmental conditions, or qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. This position may be required to work in a safety sensitive capacity at any time based on emergency declaration or other operational need. Nassau County reserves the right to edit or re-write this job description at any time.

An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.

BOCC-Contributed Benefits

• Medical & Prescription Drugs Benefits
• Health Savings Account (HSA) Contributions with a Qualified Plan
• Florida Retirement System
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental
• Vision
• Life & AD&D
• Supplemental & Dependent Life & AD&D Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• Voluntary Benefits Offered By Aflac and/or Colonial
• 457(b) Deferred Compensation Program
• Roth IRA

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement. A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee. Employees are required to contribute 3% of their salary per Florida Statute.

TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM The County may provide tuition assistance to cover the cost of tuition and books to County employees requesting tuition reimbursement for courses at an accredited college or university which are applicable to the employee's field of work and/or are of such nature to directly prepare employees for positions of greater responsibility within the County. Contact the Human Resources Office for additional details.

HOLIDAYS The following, as well as any other days the BOCC may declare, are designated as official holidays for County Employees:

New Year's Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Presidents Day
Good Friday
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
The Day After Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day

PTO LEAVE All full-time employees shall accrue Paid Time Off (PTO) Leave in accordance with the following formula:

Years of Employment Hours Per Year
0 through the end of the 4th year 180
5 years through the end of the 10th year 200
11 years through the end of the 15th year 220
16 years and over 240

For additional information please view Nassau County's Policies & Procedures .

Salary:

$19.14 - $29.12 Hourly