Animal Care Technician Jobs in Kentucky

Practice:

Since 1998, Heartland Veterinary Hospital of Elizabethtown has been serving Elizabethtown, Hardin County, and the surrounding areas, by providing the highest level of veterinary services to our clients and their 4-legged family members. We are a full-service, small animal practice that is in the 10% of all hospitals with an AAHA accreditation.

Our practice is modern and well equipped, with amenities such as:
* Complete surgical and dental facilities
* Full diagnostic laboratory
* Four exam rooms
* Isolation Area
* Laser Therapy
* Ultrasound

More about the Role:

The Veterinary Technician assists the veterinarians and other technicians with patient care and treatment, monitors hospitalized pets, maintains inventory, prepares prescriptions, performs routine in-house laboratory work, educates clients regarding veterinary care and procedures, and assists with surgical procedures.

Competencies:

* Patience & Compassion: Remaining professional while still making teammates, clients, and patients feel as comfortable as possible regardless of the situation or challenges presented. Responding quickly and calmly to crisis while maintaining a high standard of patient care.
* Collaboration & Teamwork: Carefully coordinating actions with veterinarians and practice team members. Providing feedback appropriately and in a timely manner. Quickly incorporating feedback to ensure positive results. Sharing ideas and being open to other’s ideas.
* Communicating: Conveying instructions to clients and teammates to ensure successful patient care.
* Active Listening: Following the instructions of veterinarians and sometimes patient owners. Picking up the needs of veterinarians and teammates based on prior experiences and feedback.
* Organization Skills: Clear tracking of lab specimens, medications, patient instructions, workflow, and other job-related items while managing multiple patients and clients.
* Client Satisfaction: Ensuring all activities and interactions result in the highest level of client satisfaction.

Essential Responsibilities:

* Assist veterinarians in the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery and other tasks as needed.
* Assist veterinarians in outpatient exams by taking histories, vital signs, and weights, as well as providing client education.
* Prepare patients for surgery and monitor vital signs of the patient during surgery.
* Obtain blood, stool, and other samples; perform in-hospital laboratory testing and prepare specimens for outside laboratories.
* Take, develop, and maintain radiographs following proper safety procedures.
* Provide basic animal handling and restrain animals during exams.
* Administer and monitor medications, anesthesia, vaccines, and treatments at the discretion of the veterinarian.
* Clean and straighten exam rooms, treatment, and lab areas; restock exam rooms with supplies. Assist other team members to keep the public areas of the practice clean; clean and maintain all medical equipment.
* Demonstrate warmth, courtesy and professionalism in all interactions with clients; exercise compassion and care in all interactions with patients.
* Communicate with veterinarians and practice team members including client discussions, patient plans, client concerns, etc.
* Any other duties as assigned.

Requirements/Qualifications:

* Ability to work on weekends as required
* Previous veterinary experience preferred
* Ability to lift patients and carry equipment up to 25 pounds; ability to lift patients or carry equipment over 25 pounds with assistance
* Practice OSHA safety techniques including proper PPE
* Basic math and the ability to calculate medication dosages
* Basic computer skills, familiarity with MS office applications, etc.
* Strong communication skills to ensure patient safety

Benefits Offered:

* Paid time off
* Health insurance; dental insurance; vision insurance
* Retirement benefits or accounts
* Bonus incentive
* Flexible work schedules
* Career and professional development
* Employee Assistance Program
* Employee Referral Program

Benefits offered may vary depending on full or part time employment status according to company policy.

Pay Range:

USD $15.00 - USD $16.00 /Hr.