Veterinary Technicians are a very important position at HHS Wildlife Center. They work together with the other Hospital Staff to ensure all patients receive the best care possible.
It requires a person who is self-motivated, can work both independently and with others, can prioritize many tasks simultaneously, and can produce quality work.
General:
- Report to Hospital Manager
- Monitor and respond to emails, texts, and Group Me communications
Veterinary Technician Duties:
- Patient examinations.
- Must be willing get vaccinated for rabies and work with bats. Rabies vaccine is paid for by the Center.
- Administration of appropriate patient treatments according to HHSWC guidelines and instructions by veterinarian, including: patient stabilization, fluid therapy, medications, wound assessment and treatment, performing diagnostics, accurate record-keeping.
- Radiography
- Provide training, supervision and direction to Vet Assistants and Interns
- Assist veterinarian in surgical procedures.
- Anesthesia monitoring.
- Prepare surgical instrument packs as needed.
- Replenish supplies in exam, surgical, and other areas when needed.
- Place patients with the Wildlife Rehabilitation Department or with in-home rehabilitator.
- Follow the HHS Wildlife Center seasonal triage policy, including conditions for euthanasia.
- Must be willing to perform euthanasia as required.
- Must maintain a quiet, low-stress Hospital environment for patients and enforce established protocols with others.
- Distribute medication and supplies to HHS Wildlife Center affiliated home rehabilitators according to HHS Wildlife Center guidelines.
- General cleaning duties. This includes but is not limited to dishes, laundry, taking out trash, cleaning treatment areas, sweeping and mopping, etc.
- Critical Care patient care:
- Animal husbandry. This includes feeding, weighing, cleaning, behavior monitoring, and providing appropriate enrichment.
- Patient stabilization. This includes providing fluid therapy, gavage-feeding when necessary, medications, bandage, wound management and accurate medical record keeping.
- Assess animals for outdoor enclosure and/or release.
- Provide care to animals outside in our pre-release enclosures.
- Assist in our rehabilitation department when needed.
- Other duties as assigned by Lead Technician, Hospital Manger, Director, or Veterinarian
Required Qualifications:
- Associates or bachelor’s degree with 2 years veterinary technician experience or no degree with 5 years veterinary technician experience.
- Proficient in clinical laboratory procedures, medication administration, IV catheter placement, compassionate animal restraint, triage of patients, physical examinations and patient.
- Assessments, radiographic techniques, surgical preparation and assisting, euthanasia, anesthesia monitoring and venipuncture.
- Must have reliable transportation.
- Ability to work independently and as a team.
- Responsible, trustworthy, and motivated multitasker.
- Respectful and calm demeanor with a positive attitude.
- Must be able to work efficiently and calmly under stressful conditions.
- Ability to face urgent life or death situations almost daily including handling the emotional aspects of euthanasia.
- Must be able to perform basic mathematical computations including fractions and percentages.
- Work will often require: standing, bending, stooping, lifting (must be able to lift 30lbs), climbing ladders, and reading small text.
Preferred:
- Veterinary Technician license
- Wildlife experience
- Certified or permitted wildlife rehabilitator
Skills:
- Must be able to stand, bend, stoop, lift up to 30lbs, climb a step ladder, and read small text. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these duties
- Must be proficient in basic computer applications, including Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, Publisher).
Shift Hours:
- Required - Must be available to work 40 hours per week and available to work weekends and holidays.
- The Center is open:
- 9AM to 5PM Monday – Friday
- 9AM to 3PM Saturday and Sunday.
- Hours may increase on weekdays in the spring of 2024 to 7:30PM
- ½ hour to 1 hour for lunch.
- All patients must be triaged, and room cleaned before staff leaves
- Must complete all training and attend any scheduled meetings.
Compensation:
Competitive and commensurate with experience.
HHS Benefits offered:
- Medical Benefits: Health/ Dental/ Vision (after 90 days)
- Pet care discounts: up to $700 annually
- Employee Discounts
- Paid Time off: after 6 months
- 403(b): matching up to 15% of compensation
- Holiday Pay
- FSA (Flexible Spending Account)
- Employee Assistance Program
Changing Office Locations:
The HHS Wildlife Center will be changing locations to a new and improved building in late summer/early fall of 2023. The new location will be 3100 W. Fuqua Street, Houston, TX 77045.
All prospective employees must be willing to work at the current location and switch to the new location after the move.