This job is archived
(Archived) Veterinary Technician
Job Description
CHENEGA RELIABLE SERVICES, LLC.
Lackland AFB, TX
The Veterinary Technician shall provide the DoD Working Dog Veterinary Service (DODMWDVS) at Lackland AFB, TX with technical procedures involving diagnostic imaging, surgery, medicine, critical or general clinical care or any combination of veterinary support work on Military Working Dogs (MWDs) and/or Government Owned Animals (GOAs) in support of various DODMWDVS departments.
Responsibilities
- Examination, evaluation, and vaccination of canine patients. This includes obtaining an accurate patient history from the canine handler, succinctly relaying the information to the veterinarian, and determining vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, hydration status, attitude, etc) of animals presented for sick call or medical evaluation clinics.
- Distinguishes normal from abnormal anatomical and physiological findings such as pathological heart and respiratory sounds, ataxic gait, and abnormal behavior.
- Triages patient as stable or unstable based on overall appearance, hydration, behavior, pulse quality, and vital signs.
- Cleans and disinfects exam room and treatment areas between patients or as needed.
- Replaces and maintains correct position of bandages, splints, casts, and other devices designed to prevent further damage to an injured extremity.
- Monitors condition of wounds under bandages, removes sutures and surgical drains, and administers topical medications.
- Administers medications topically, orally, or by parenteral injections (subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intravenous).
- Calculates drug dosage based on accurate body weight (converts English to metric units as needed) and administers medication as prescribed by the attending veterinarian.
- Administers vaccinations and dewormer under indirect veterinary supervision according to established protocols.
- Obtains blood (venipuncture), urine ("clean catch" and cystocentesis), fecal sample, and other clinical specimens from animals for laboratory diagnosis.
- Performs fecal flotation for detection of internal parasites, heartworm, and other point-of-care tests (filtration and immunologic), automated blood gas analysis, complete blood count by manual and automated methods, urinalysis and clinical chemistry by automated and "dipstick" methods.
- Prepares and submits samples for analysis by commercial or centralized military laboratory.
- Visually evaluates slides for fecal parasite evaluation, skin or ear cytology, and urine sediment examination.
- Places intravenous (IV) catheters and initiates fluid therapy as directed by veterinarian. Operates fluid pump for accurate intravenous delivery of drugs based upon calculation of drug concentration, body weight, and desired fluid delivery rate.
- Administers tranquilizers, sedatives, and anesthetic under supervision of the attending veterinarian and according to established protocols. Monitors vital signs and condition of sedated or anesthetized animals. Operates monitoring equipment.
- Monitors and interprets vital signs and anesthetic depth. Initiates invasive/non-invasive anesthetic monitoring procedures. Adjusts anesthetics level as determined by heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, muscle tone, and patient condition, while notifying veterinarian.
- Intubates trachea and initiates gas anesthetic administration.
- Operates and performs operator-level maintenance on gas anesthesia machine.
- Prepares incision site for aseptic surgery (clip hair, applies disinfectant skin prep).
- Acts as circulating operating room non-sterile assistant (opens packs, sets up, and adjusts equipment).
- Scrubs-in as surgical assistant. Performs sterile surgical scrub and dons sterile gown and gloves. Under sterile conditions, prepares various surgical instruments and equipment for use and assists the surgeon as directed.
- Cleans, sterilizes, and maintains surgical instruments, equipment, supplies, and premises.
- Monitors patient recovery following surgery by observing respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, tissue perfusion, hydration, body temperature, state of consciousness, and reflexes.
- Cleans surgery room, treatment areas, and patient holding areas.
- Recognizes post-operative complication (shock, hemorrhage, respiratory distress, hypothermia, etc.) and notifies veterinarian.
- Under the supervision of the surgeon, calculates dosage and administers post-operative analgesic medications.
- Applies bandages, splints, or casts.
- In the absence of professional staff, performs emergency treatment/life support procedures such as initiation of fluid therapy for shock or hemorrhage control.
- Performs dental cleaning and prophylactic dental care. Assesses overall oral health.
- Operates and performs operator-level maintenance on dental equipment and instruments.
- Restrains canines for radiographic studies. Calculates dosage and administers tranquilizer/sedative (according to established protocol) as needed to minimize patient motion and limit radiation exposure of personnel and patients.
- Monitors vital signs of patients undergoing radiological procedures.
- Calculates exposure factors (kVp, mAs, and exposure time) for the efficient production of diagnostic and radiological studies.
- Operates and performs operator-level maintenance on x-ray machines.
- Initiates and maintains medical records and radiological records for the Military Working Dogs (MWDs) and Government Owned Animals (GOAs). Assures standard nomenclature and chronological order of the medical and radiological records.
- Utilizes computers, word processing, databases, the electronic medical records system, and spreadsheet software in order to perform data entry and generate reports and schedules relating to the clinical care of patients.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Possess and maintain a Licensed Veterinary Technician or Registered Veterinary Technician Certification.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Employee may be required to travel 25% of the time.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Experienced with emergency vet services and surgical unit
- Ability to provide care for Government Working Dogs (GWDs), including large trained and untrained working breed canines, according to specific schedules and routine methods. (Military Working Dogs preferred)
- Ability to clean and maintain facilities housing GWDs, including large trained and untrained working breed canines, to maintain their health and welfare.
- Ability to communicate orally and in writing, and to work harmoniously with personnel and supervisors.
- Ability to catch, handle, hold, and transfer GWDs, including large trained and untrained working breed canines, without injuring the animal or endangering self or others.
- Ability to remain calm and prioritize in a fast-paced environment.
- Knowledge of effective dosing and administration of medication to GWDs, including large trained and untrained working breed canines.
- Ability to apply knowledge of the normal appearance and activities of GWDs, including large trained and untrained working breed canines, to recognize obvious changes such as excessive loss of fur, fighting, refusal to feed, malaise, etc.
- Knowledge of effective facility sanitation to prevent injury and illness in program animals.
- Knowledge of an alphanumeric keyboard.
Physical Demands (The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)
- While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee may use repeated motions that include the arms, wrists, hands and/or fingers. The employee is occasionally required to walk, stand, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.
Any estimated salary provided by this job board may not align with Chenega's compensation program. Please apply to connect with a recruiter who can provide more details