EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Job Title: Animal Care & Surgical Technician

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If interested in applying, please email Dr. Magnarelli, Shelter Veterinarian at smagnarelli@rescueleague.org.

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Location

Bedford, NH

Supervisor’s Position Title

Shelter Veterinarian

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Work Schedule (i.e. Sunday-Saturday, rotating shifts, etc.)

Full-Time, Monday-Friday. Schedule may require additional days for planned events

Job Summary

The Animal Care & Surgical Technician assists the Shelter Veterinarian with appointments and surgery; including pre-op care, post-op care and monitoring. The surgery caseload consists primarily of spay and neuter and dental procedures, though a variety of other procedures are performed as well. During appointments, the Animal Care & Surgical Technician will help restrain animals for exams and obtain blood samples.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Assists the veterinarian throughout admission to discharge from the surgery service

• Prepares animals and instruments for surgery using aseptic technique

• Sterilizes and maintains all surgical packs

• Performs routine cleaning and general maintenance of all surgical instruments, medical equipment and surface areas

• Monitors temperature, pulse and respiration of patients

• Monitors anesthesia

• Administers pharmaceuticals:  via injection (IM, SQ and IV), topically and orally

• Performs venipuncture

• Microchips animals

• Monitors animals post operatively and throughout recovery

• Communicates any observations, whether behavioral or medical, of patients in the surgery service to the Staff Veterinarian

• Oversees organization, cleanliness and supply needs of the surgical area and surgical clinical area both for safety and sanitation reasons

• Demonstrates professional behavior consistent with the mission of the ARLNH

• Assists with routine animal care as needed

• Assists the Shelter Veterinarian with physical exams

• Assists with euthanasia of client owned or shelter animals when necessary

• Completes other duties as assigned

Reporting Relationships

Supervisor:  Shelter Veterinarian

Communication Strategy

Collaboration

• Communicates with the Shelter Veterinarian about the safety and well-being of all animals.

• Provides instruction to ARLNH staff and/or owners, if needed, with regard to post-operative care of animals.

Minimum Requirements

Education

• High School Graduate or Equivalent

• Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) desirable but not required

Skills and Traits

• A minimum of three years’ experience working directly with a veterinarian is required.

• Familiarity with infectious disease transmission and prevention, knowledge of basic laboratory skills, understanding of surgical instruments and equipment (oxygen, gas anesthetic machines, autoclave, etc.) animal restraint experience and critical care skills (including CPCR) are required. 

• Must understand the surgical preparatory process and the patient recovery process and is required to practice at all times in a manner consistent with infection control standards.

• Familiarity with dental radiography is preferred.

Conditions

• Ability to lift and move a minimum of 50 lbs.

• Requires two years of driving experience and a valid driver’s license.

• Ability to stand on feet four to eight hours a day.

• Ability to traverse a building of 14,000+ square feet daily quickly, including being able to tolerate and navigate small spaces such as kennels

• Ability to perceive and communicate, both orally and in writing, changes in animal behavior and/or medical symptoms and safety issues.

• Special visual abilities required:  Close and distance vision, must be able to distinguish colors and judge distances and possess peripheral vision.

• Ability to discern odors.

• Must be able to stoop, kneel and crouch.

• Ability to use hands and arms to hold (restrain) and palpate animals.

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