Description

Technician Assistant

Job Description Classification: Non-Exempt

Job Summary

Under policy direction from the Hospital Manager and Medical Director, the Technician Assistant is responsible to assist the veterinarian, technicians, and other hospital staff. Job expectations include care and cleaning of patients and facilities including assisting in various technical departments and all other animal care functions. This may include other tasks involved in the operations of a veterinary hospital, including client communication, scheduling appointments, invoicing, and answering the telephone.

Technician Assistant Duties and Responsibilities

The following is a list of essential job requirements. This list may be revised at any time and additional duties not listed here may be assigned as needed.

• Client Relations

• Nursing Care

• Examinations & Assessments

• Anesthesia & Surgical Procedures

• Laboratory & Digital Images

• Medical Records

• Housekeeping

• Training

Client Relations

• Assist with client communication/education, explaining medications , administration, follow-up care, diet recommendations, and general animal care as directed by Technician/DVM.

• Demonstrate excellent relations with clients/pets, working with the expectation that you will be trained and expected to do the following :

• Assist Technicians and Receptionists with client/patient check in and out.

• Ensure that clients and pets feel welcome and comfortable. Serve as "Ambassadors"- creating and maintaining goodwill for the hospital.

• Build rapport with clients and pets. Exceed the client's expectations of service. o Immediately greet clients and pet by name (and correct gender).

• Quickly understand and initiate the process of meeting client needs.

• Help new clients fill out the forms for admission. Inform new clients about services and preventatives. Ensure all admission forms are completed in their entirety and all client information, including contact information, is accurate .

• Support reception staff by ensuring client requests are handled in a timely manner .

• Ability to effectively communicate and educate clients on general animal husbandry and answer non-medical questions.

• Understand general dietary requirements and feeding schedules of patients.

• Present and explain client education materials nutrition, discharge instructions, medication administration, and answer general questions about treatments, bandages, laboratory tests, medications as directed by a veterinarian.

• Present and sign clients up for various promotions, including online pharmacy.

Nursing Care

• Perform animal restraint efficiently on all size patients, immediately alerting technician and/or doctor if you are uncomfortable restraining or need additional assistance.

• Ensure patient and client comfort, for example, providing a blanket in the exam room.

• Medication administration (practicing the 6 rights) as authorized by a veterinarian

• Measure vital signs and report as needed and as authorized as a veterinarian.

• Change bedding, feed under supervision, groom as needed, and walk patients.

• Ability to recognize fleas, ticks, and other external parasites.

• Gather and stock supplies in various hospital departments.

• Make certain all patients are kept clean and as comfortable as possible.

• Ensure all patients are clearly identified including entry on the hospital forms and ID collar.

• Capacity to recognize potential health care issues and alert a technician. For example, signs and behavior patterns that suggest an animal may be in pain or in need of immediate assessment by a veterinarian.

• Adhere strictly to Technician Assistant roles and responsibilities, as defined in the training outline, refusing to diagnose over the phone with clients.

• Demonstrate Technician Assistant level skills (as defined in the training outline).

• Work with management team to move through levels.

Housekeeping

• Make certain the entire hospital is clean so a client could enter the area and see their pet in a clean environment. This includes your clothing and appearance.

• Complete hospital housekeeping and stocking checklists on a daily basis.

• Follow surface disinfection and isolation/cleaning protocols for patients who may be infectious .

• Advise the Hospital Manager of any conditions that are unsafe, including unrecognized hazards or infractions of safety rules.

Records

• Keep records accurate and up to date. This includes client records, medical history, treatment sheets, medications administered, etc.

• Follow all policies and procedures for controlled drugs (including recordkeeping). Ensure the client has signed all authorization forms for treatments, laboratory, euthanasia, etc.

Laboratory

• Draw blood samples as authorized by the veterinarian.

• Prepare lab request forms.

• Prepare laboratory tests, e.g. stool exams, urinalysis, skin scrapings, slides, etc.

Training

• Assist in the training of new hires- kennel assistant and technician assistant only.

• Connect with t rainee by using communication and presence, as a way for the staff to feel acknowledged and supported during their training session.

• Review training obstacles and concerns with the Hospital Manager.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Previous experience or training/education working in a veterinary facility.

• Must be friendly, outgoing , " people oriented ".

• Excellent communications skills, both written and oral.

• Telephone and computer skills, including Microsoft and Practice Management software.

• Must be able to prioritize multiple tasks at once, and deal with high levels of stress in an environment of changing priorities.  Intermediate math skills.

• Must be able to interact with all levels of staffing in a professional manner.

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED

• Veterinary hospital experience of at least 1 year.

• Training and client relations experience.

Physical Requirements

• Dependable attendance is required

• Any allergies to animals must be controlled through medication

• Must be able to lift 40 lbs.

• Must be willing to work long or irregular hours under pressure conditions.

• This position requires the ability to sit, walk, squat, bend, stand, reach, lift and type constantly during a minimum of 8 hours a day.

• Visual acuity sufficient to maintain accurate records, recognize people and understand written directions.

• Ability to speak and hear sufficiently to understand, give information in person and over the telephone.

• Fine motor skills adequate for utilizing hospital equipment such as a computer, etc.

• Adhere to appropriate dress code to include proper scrubs and nametag .

Hospital Environment

• Animal areas may be humid, noisy, and odorous

• Exposure to pests such as fleas and ticks and other zoonotic diseases

• While handling animals, there is a possibility of being bitten or scratched

• Dust and pet dander are common within the practice