Vet Technician Job Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

General Responsibilities

• Ensure records and consent forms are complete
• Dispense medications, pet foods, and supplies
• Update patient files as appropriate
• Review vaccination records and prepare vaccines according to the clinic vaccine protocol
• Assist veterinarian in medical procedures using proper restraint; know how to restrain
• Assist veterinarian in surgical procedures using proper aseptic technique
• Maintain and use medical equipment such as autoclave
• Perform routine laboratory procedures and analyses in hematology, microbiology, and urinalysis
• Prepare samples for outside laboratory analysis
• Prepare patients for surgeries
• Monitor patients under anesthesia
• Under the supervision of a veterinarian, induce anesthesia and intubate patient
• Monitor admitted patients and administer treatments and injections following the instructions of a doctor or a treatment form
• Maintain pharmacy records, and controlled drug and anesthesia logs
• Take and develop radiographs
• Take vital signs of animals including temperature, pulse, and respiration
• Under the supervision of a veterinarian, perform dental cleanings
• Perform urinary and venous catheterization
• Complete ear cleanings and nail trims
• Ensure the cleanliness and organization of admitted patients
• Perform other duties as assigned

Exam & Treatment

• Properly restrain and stabilize animals during examination and treatment; know how to restrain fractious patients
• Take and record vital signs of animals including temperature, pulse, and respiration
• Trim nails, express anal glands, and perform other routine procedures as required
• Teach clients how to administer medication at home
• Prepare and label medication to be sent home with the patient
• Clean, organize, and restock exam rooms
• Perform other duties as assigned

Laboratory & Radiology

• Prepare samples for outside laboratory analysis
• Collect blood, stool, urine, and other samples
• Perform routine laboratory procedures and analyses
• Maintain and use medical equipment and autoclave
• Take and develop radiographs
• Perform other duties as assigned

Surgery

• Prepare surgical packs
• Prepare animals for surgery
• Monitor patients under anesthesia
• Assist veterinarian in surgical procedures using proper aseptic technique
• Induce anesthesia and intubate patient
• Perform urinary and venous catheterization
• Perform routine procedures such as wound cleaning, bandaging, etc.
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Maintain patient records and billing info
• Administer treatments and injections following the instructions of a doctor or a treatment form
• Monitor daily patient progress as directed by the vet
• Feed, bathe, and walk animals as applicable
• Discharge animals as directed by the vet
• Prepare and label medication to be sent home with the patient upon discharge