Animal Care Technician Jobs in Missouri

Practice:

Advanced Pet Care of Sedalia is a cutting edge, full-service, small animal practice that provides comprehensive medical, surgical, and dental care. We provide a broad spectrum of diagnostic procedures through in-house testing and the use of external laboratories.

The facility includes 4 exam rooms, open treatment area, individual DVM workstations and amenities such as:
* Well stocked pharmacy
* Ultrasound
* 2 Anesthesia machines
* Surgical Laser
* Digital Radiology
* Updated dental unit and digital dental radiographs
* Avimark software
* Closely supervised hospitalization area
* Indoor kennels and outdoor walking areas

More about the Role:

The Veterinary Technician assists the doctors to the fullest possible extent, to help improve the quality of care given to the patients and to aid the doctors in achieving greater efficiency by relieving them of technical work at Advanced Pet Care of Sedalia (APCS).

The Veterinary Technician assists in multiple procedures providing care for animals including physical examinations, dental procedures, surgeries, immunizations, euthanasia as well as client education, marketing and inventory maintenance. This position requires a working knowledge of pharmaceutical drugs, common diseases; their symptoms, means of transmission, treatment and prevention, and other basic preventative health care recommendations. This is an overview of the position and the responsibilities listed do not encompass the entire position. The Veterinary Technician is under the direct guidance and supervision of the Veterinary Technician Team Leader and veterinarians.

Primary Job Responsibilities:

• Obtain and record patient histories.
• Collect specimens and perform routine laboratory procedures and tests in hematology, biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, urinalysis, and serology to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems.
• Dispense and administer medications, vaccines, serums and treatments as prescribed by veterinarians.
• Administer fluids and blood products as prescribed by the veterinarian.
• Administer and monitor anesthesia under the direction of a veterinarian.
• Provide specialized nursing care for injured or ill animals.
• Prepare patients, instruments and equipment for surgery.
• Assure that monitoring and support equipment such as anesthetic machines, cardiac monitors, scopes and breathing apparatus are in good working condition.
• Assist in diagnostic, medical and surgical procedures using a range of high-tech diagnostic equipment including radiographs.
• Take radiographs.
• Communicate with and educate owners.
• Maintain knowledge of preventative healthcare recommendations in order to answer client questions, provide education on vaccines, flea and heartworm products, and assist in marketing veterinary services from which their pet would benefit, such as a dental cleaning, senior wellness, spay and neuter.
• Educate clients on products and medications sold including dietary products and answer questions regarding product purchase/use.
• Maintain inventory of pharmaceuticals, equipment and supplies.
• Clean, maintain and sterilize instruments, equipment, and materials.
• Knowledgeable regarding related federal and state animal health laws and regulations including OSHA and DEA. Ensure that the hospital and its employees are in compliance with regulations. Inform the veterinary hospital administrator of any regulatory issues.
• Work well with all team members and ensure that your actions support the hospital, the doctors, and the practice philosophy.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Controls Over Work

The Veterinary Technician works under the direct supervision of the Veterinary Technician Team Leader who will indicate general assignments, limitations and priorities. Recurring assignments are performed independently. Deviations or unfamiliar situations are referred to the supervisor. Completed work is reviewed for technical accuracy and compliance with established procedures.

Physical Effort

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job:
* Frequently required to bend, stand, stoop, walk, sit, talk, and listen, frequently working in a bent position.
* Frequently use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel; will reach with hands and arms.
* Use strength or agility in capturing and restraining stronger, more active animals.
* Frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
* Occasionally handle dogs weighing up to and over 150 lbs. Assistance will be provided by animal handlers when working with larger animals.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to hazards associated with aggressive patients; hazards associated with infected animals and controlled substances; exposure to unpleasant odors and noises; exposure to bites, scratches and animal wastes; possible exposure to contagious diseases.

Follow federal and state animal health laws and regulations including OSHA and DEA.

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 on 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:

• Receive, handle and treat patients will skill, compassion and care including: monitoring during anesthesia, administering fluids, assisting in diagnosing, surgery and general and specialized nursing care.
• Accurately perform laboratory tests.
• Accurately dispense and administer medications and vaccines.
• Input data into computer software system.
• Ability to observe animal appearance and activity for general physical condition, obvious signs of illness, disease and discontent.
• Regular attendance and timeliness are an essential function in order to fulfill the requirements of this position.
• Strong communication and client services skills. Considerable tact and diplomacy is required. Ability to work with clients and patients in a professional, friendly, hospitable manner.
• Work well with all team members and ensure that your actions support the hospital, the doctors, and the practice philosophy.
• Perform general physical activities that require bending, standing, stooping, moving from room to room, sit talk, and listen; may be required to walk or stand for long periods of time; will use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel; will reach with hands and arms.
• Frequently lift, carry and handle dogs weighing over 40 lbs.

Requirements/Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the procedures used for receiving, treating, and scheduling patients, for ordering medical supplies, and requesting laboratory tests.
• Knowledge of the use, care, and storage of veterinary instruments, materials, and equipment.
• Knowledge of sterilization techniques to sterilize various instruments and materials.
• Knowledge of the instruments, materials, and standardized procedures used in the full variety of treatments to make preparations and provide “table side” assistance.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing client and personal services. This includes client needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of client satisfaction.
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks as well as to accept direction on given assignments.
• Critical thinking – Understanding logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Benefits Offered:

• Paid time off
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement benefits (401k, Roth k and matching)
• Bonus incentive
• Career and professional development
• State licensing fee reimbursement
• 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 $16.00 - USD $18.00 /Hr.