Top Duties and Qualifications

A Veterinary Technician, is responsible for performing routine checkups and other medical procedures on animals to ensure their health and well-being. Their duties include communicating with pet owners, entering charges and services in Intravet, treating hospitalized patients and performing routine tech appointments. Some daily tasks include checking an animal’s weight, heartbeat and other vitals to record in patient files, taking blood samples and administering medications. A technician must be able to lift up to 40lbs, be able to maneuver animals both from a squatting position on the floor and also on a treatment table. Most of a technician’s job is standing and frequent walking to the patient, in addition to grabbing supplies to treat the patient and walking to the kennel where the pet is hospitalized.

Veterinary Technician duties and responsibilities

A Veterinary Technician takes care of animals that come into the facility for hospitalization, surgery or/and routine office appointments. A Veterinary Technician have the following responsibilities:

• Providing general nursing care
• Examining animals and checking vitals in preparation for the Veterinarian
• Taking X-rays of animals
• Administering first aid for emergencies
• Administering medication and treatments
• Drawing blood samples for testing
• Cystocentesis
• Nail Trims
• Administering Vaccines
• Monitoring animals under anesthesia
• Bandage changes
• CPR
• Daily assessment of patients in hospital
• Supervising Kennel Staff with patient care
• Training new Technicians
• Assist veterinarians in medical procedures using proper restraint; know how to restrain fractious patients.
• Assist veterinarians in surgical procedures using proper aseptic techniques.
• Maintain and use medical equipment such as Idexx Lasercyte and autoclave.
• Perform routine laboratory procedures and analyses in hematology, microbiology, and urinalysis.
• Prepare samples for outside laboratory analysis
• Monitor patients under anesthesia
• Induce anesthesia and intubate patient
• Initiate emergency procedures if needed
• Administer treatments and injections following the instructions of a doctor or a treatment form.
• Maintain pharmacy records, and controlled drug, anesthesia, fecal test logs.
• Take and develop x-rays.
• Send x-rays to referring hospitals.
• Take vital signs of animals including temperature, pulse, respiration
• Perform and analyze skin and ear cytology’s
• Perform catheterizations – urinary and venous
• Complete ear cleanings and nail trims
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Work Environment

Small animal hospital, work in front and back of hospital, high level of client interaction, exposure to x-rays and anesthetic gases with proper protective measures. Potential for exposure to zoonotic diseases and possible hazardous materials.

Continuing Education Requirements: Certified veterinary Technicians are responsible to keep their license active. CE credits are offered and paid for as according to the guidelines of the handbook. Non-certified technicians may attend CE accredited classes to further their skills. Guidelines are outlined in the handbook.