SENIOR ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIAN (VET TECH)

Applications Accepted From: All Persons Interested PN 26955Division: BARC Animal Shelter and AdoptionsWorkdays & Hours: Various* *Subject to change GENERAL SUMMARY: Who we are: BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions is Houston''s municipal animal shelter and adoption center. BARC recently underwent a massive transformation; the shelter went from a place where animals were never given a second chance to a shelter whose mission is to get as many animals into forever homes as possible. Every single member of BARC''s staff is focused on finding a forever family for the animals that come into the shelter.What''s the position about?This imperative position performs a variety of technical animal health tasks encompassing animal management, diagnostic laboratory and surgical procedures, and therapy and treatment techniques. RESPONSIBILITIES: • Assists the veterinarian with emergency animal treatment, routine examinations, and vaccinations.• Assists veterinarian with surgery, including sterilization of instruments and surgical area, animal prep, and monitoring of vital signs; monitors post-operative recovery and reports changes in condition.• Assists public and provide medical services to pets in the Wellness and Foster Clinics.• Expedite medical services to sick and/or injured animals including parvo testing, skin scrapes, radiographs, etc.• Educate the adopters about the medical issues of animals upon adoption.• Administer selected medications to animals as prescribed by veterinarian.• Prepare medication for the animals leaving the shelter.• Prepares specimens and performs diagnostic laboratory tests, e.g., microscopic egg counts, etc.• Maintains accurate animal health and surgical records.• Provides a complete workup to animals from the field including age-appropriate vaccinations, dewormer and FIV/FELV or HW testing.• Monitors all animals, including those that may be isolated or quarantined, for signs of illness or unusual behavior; makes notations and reports problems regarding health and behavior of animals to the supervisors or veterinarians as needed.• Feed and water animals and clean cages and areas as needed.• Transports animals from cages and restrain animals weighing up to 120 pounds for injections, medication, and examination.• Responsible for the use of positive reinforcement and low stress handling techniques.• Attends classes on low stress animal handling and continuing education courses as it applies to the animal sheltering field. • Performs the euthanasia of animals by injecting selected animals with controlled substances, in accordance with established laws and departmental policy as needed; disposes of the euthanized animal.• May assist other BARC departments or may be asked to perform other duties as needed. WORKING CONDITIONSThe position requires extensive, near-continuous physical exertion such as repeated lifting of very heavy objects (more than 80 pounds), deep bending, climbing steps and/or assuming awkward positions.

Created: 2021-11-29