Overview
Animal Health Technician Jobs in Georgetown, TX at Williamson County
JOB SUMMARY
Reporting directly to Animal Health Supervisor, responsible for providing paraprofessional health care to animals within the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, by administering medical care to the animals and supporting the Animal Care and Animal Behavior teams.
EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED
Provides health care to all shelter animals including vaccinating, de-worming, weighing, photographing, performing diagnostic tests (i.e., fecal testing, blood tests), venipuncture, placing catheters, and administering medications
Provides medication to sick and injured animals, monitors rabies quarantine animals, euthanizes animals as necessary
Collects blood, urine, fecal, and skin samples
Leads, trains, directs, and provides feedback on daily tasks of Volunteers and Community Service workers, and assists as needed
Administers health checks of all animals, verifying animal locations, administering needed medications, and documenting any concerns for follow-up
Assists veterinarian with examinations and medical procedures, including spay/neuter surgeries, microchipping, and performs medical treatments as directed
Performs radiographs at the shelter, with proficiency in correct positioning, based on protocols written by shelter veterinarian
Prepares animals for surgery, administers medication, monitors animal vitals through the surgery and recovery process, and sanitizes surgical instruments
Cleans and sanitizes the surgery room, recovery kennels, and tech rooms
Assists with emergency procedures such as CPR, IV catheter placement and drug administration, and placement on endotracheal tubes under supervision of shelter veterinarian
Monitors animal vitals through the surgery and recovery process, and provides post-op care, such as wound cleaning and bandaging
Counsels fosters/adopters on medical treatments or medical needs of shelter animals
Utilizes shelter software to maintain information about animals, including medical histories
Logs medications, including controlled substances, in required logs and records
Determines disposition on all animals, handles fractious animals, and assigns handling difficulty levels based on behavior and medical conditions
Assists in determining which animals may need outside veterinarian care
Provides medication to sick and injured animals, monitors rabies quarantine animals, euthanizes animals as necessary
Identifies animals that are candidates for outside rescue organizations or foster care
Follows all medical protocols and procedures as written by veterinarian
Transports animals to other facilities as needed
Follows all safety measures and policies, including proper animal restraints and reading animal behavioral cues, and promptly reports any safety incidents to leadership
Performs clerical and customer service duties related to the intake and processing of animals for impoundment, adoption, and redemption
Monitors and maintains the tech email, determining which medical protocol to follow when symptoms or incidents are reported, including determining how urgent the medical issue may be and the best course of action to take
Ensures building security upon opening and closing, and maintains accurate inventory of medical supplies, re-stocking as necessary
Serves as animal services supervisor for weekend coverage
Performs special duties as assigned
ORGANIZATION RELATIONSHIPS
Reports directly to – Animal Health Supervisor
Direct Reports – No
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Position involves prolonged standing, walking, twisting, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, and other fine motor repetitive motions
Position requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine motor coordination
Position involves lifting and carrying of animals and equipment weighing up to fifty (50) pounds, or up to one hundred (100) pounds with assistance, and exertion of up to twenty-five (25) pounds of force to move objects
Position involves hearing and/or seeing alert cues regarding animal and staff security
Position involves maintaining composure in a high-stress environment
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Work tasks are conducted indoors and frequently outdoors
May work outside in inclement weather, including extreme heat, cold and wet conditions
Frequent handling of animals, including contact with waste and blood
Exposure to unpleasant smells and a noisy and wet environment associated with a shelter
Frequent exposure animals that are agitated or injured that may attempt to bite or scratch
Position involves working in a high-volume, fast-paced environment
Position involves working with distressed individuals
IRREGULAR HOURS
Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays is a schedule requirement
Essential personnel for emergency situations; discretion of department director
Regular attendance is required
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified in this position. This job description is subject to change as the needs and requirements of the job change.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
High school diploma or equivalent
Licensed Veterinary Technician/Certified Vet Assistant OR one (1) year of experience as a veterinary technician/assistant in a shelter/animal hospital setting
One (1) year of customer service and professional communication experience
Knowledge of animal health and well-being, including nutritional needs, common animal diseases and behavioral issues, proper and safe handling, and restraints, caring for sick/injured/fractious animals, and pharmaceuticals commonly used in treatment of animal conditions
Prior experience identifying signs and symptoms of animal illnesses, injuries, and behavioral issues, drawing blood from animals, performing injections, administering medications, and performing basic veterinary testing procedures
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, computers, phone/iPad software and applications such as instant messaging (IM), email, FaceTime, PetPoint, etc.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required within thirty (30) days of employment
Valid driver’s license
Required within 120 days (4 months) of employment
Euthanasia certification
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Associates degree in a related field
Two (2) years of animal welfare experience
Advanced knowledge of dog and cat body language cues
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Certified Vet Assistant
EMPLOYMENT TESTING
Employment is contingent on passing any post-offer pre-employment screening as listed below:
Criminal background check: Yes
Motor Vehicle Record check: Yes
Drug screening: Yes
Physical exam: No
Psychological exam: No
Additional: N/A
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
A Williamson County online application (resumes alone are not sufficient) must be received before the position is closed. Positions are open until filled, subject to close at any time after five (5) business days. The Human Resources Department is located at 100 Wilco Way, Georgetown, TX 78626. Phone (512) 943-1533 or visit our website at www.wilcotx.gov/469/Human-Resources.
Williamson County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). If you require an accommodation in order to apply for a position, please request assistance from the Human Resources Department.
TOBACCO FREE WORKPLACE POLICY
Williamson County is a tobacco free workplace. The use of tobacco products (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, snuff, chew, etc.) and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) (e.g., vapor, e-cigarettes, etc.) is prohibited on all Williamson County premises. Employees who violate this policy are subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
Title: Animal Health Technician
Company: Williamson County
Location: Georgetown, TX
