LICENSED VETERINARY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN (LVMT)

LICENSED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN 

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:      LICENSED VETERINARY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN 

REPORTS TO:    Behavior and Welfare Director

HOURS:      Full-time, non-exempt

PAY RATE:      $14.00 - 19.50/hourly (commensurate with experience)

JOB SUMMARY

The Veterinary Technician provides compassionate and high-quality veterinary care for animals at Petworks Animal Services under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. 

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to the Behavior and Welfare Director. Works closely with veterinarians, the Operations Director, animal control, and animal care staff.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

● Assist the supervising veterinarian with caring for shelter pets’ veterinary needs, including examinations, diagnostics, treatments and other related tasks. 

● Provide patient care including Fear Free restraint, vaccinations, venipuncture, fluid administration, urinalyses, fecal floats, and other treatments and diagnostics as directed by the veterinarian. 

● Fill prescriptions, measure medications and label containers. 

● Carefully monitor animal conditions and symptoms, including animals recovering from surgery, illness or injury. 

● Maintain detailed and accurate records, including controlled drug logs, animal medical histories, and individual license and CE records. 

● Collaborate with the Behavior and Welfare Director and the supervising veterinarian to prioritize, schedule and complete medical tasks. 

● Participate in shelter rounds and program development as requested by the Operations Director and the Behavior and Welfare Director.

● Assist with surgical procedures, including anesthetic prep, induction/intubation, monitoring, and recovery.  

● Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, and materials.

● Use PPE appropriately and help ensure proper use by all teams throughout the shelter.

● Coordinate outside veterinary care as needed and transport animals to appointments.

● Administer emergency first aid, such as performing emergency resuscitation or other lifesaving procedures per RECOVER guidelines. 

● Serve as a patient advocate by recognizing signs of illness, injury, and/or poor medical welfare; document and communicate this information to the supervising veterinarian.

● Perform humane euthanasia as a Certified Animal Euthanasia Technician (CAET) according to Petworks’ policies when a live outcome is not possible, safe, or humane.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

● Must have an associate’s degree from an accredited Veterinary Technology program. 

● Possess or be eligible for a TN Veterinary Medical Technician license. 

● One (1) year as a credentialed veterinary technician strongly preferred. 

● Fear Free Veterinary Professional certification and animal shelter experience are strongly preferred. 

● A commitment to humane and low-stress animal handling and care is required. 

● Experience with shelter medicine is not required but is preferred.

● Must have a valid Tennessee driver’s license and a clean driving history.

● Compassionate and professional communication skills are required for in-person, telephone, and online communications with staff, volunteers, other agencies, and community members. 

● Must be able to speak, read, write, and understand the English language. Applicants with Spanish proficiency encouraged to apply. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

● Perform a variety of tasks including sitting and standing, lifting up to 50 pounds repetitively, typing, writing, answering phones, and filing.

● Work safely around unruly, fractious, sick, injured, dangerous, or deceased dogs and cats, chemical compounds (e.g., bleach, disinfectants, medications), and follow proper protocols to decrease risk of exposure to parasites and infectious diseases.

● Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with groups and individuals (including leadership, staff, and volunteers), and to work under pressure with a public audience and have patience and tact when working with difficult or emotional people and situations.

● Maintain flexibility with regard to irregular hours, schedule changes, weekends, holidays, and additional hours when necessary.

● Be comfortable working in an office setting, animal areas, on the grounds of the shelter facility, office building, or off-site, often with elevated noise levels.

● Ability to perform a variety of tasks in all weather conditions, including standing, kneeling, walking, stooping, kneeling, and crouching.

● Must not have an allergic condition that prevents the employee from performing any essential function of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Note: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position.