RVT
Tantallon Vet Hospital
Upper Tantallon - NS
We have a fantastic career opportunity at Tantallon Vet Hospital! We are looking for an experienced and dynamic Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) for a position at our hospital. Tantallon Veterinary Hospital is located in Upper Tantallon, just off Highway 103, Exit 5 at the corner of Peggy’s Cove Road, and St. Margaret’s Bay Road. Since opening in 2006, the hospital staff has grown to include four Veterinarians, five Registered Veterinary Technicians, two Veterinary Assistants, four Receptionists and a Site Coordinator. Our skilled and caring veterinarians are passionate about helping to ensure the health of cats, dogs and other small animals alike through examinations, and client education. Our diverse team can offer advice about the best nutrition, dental care, vaccines, behaviour, parasite prevention and more! Together with annual health exams, we provide complete medical care for your pets. Our continuing goal is to provide you and your pets with the gold standard of care in a professional, compassionate, and comfortable environment. This is a perfect opportunity to work in a challenging yet supportive environment where learning and development opportunities are endless.
Position Overview
Your goal as a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) is to assist the veterinarians to the fullest extent of your capabilities. When utilized properly the RVT can significantly decrease the workload of practitioners allowing them to complete tasks that only they are licensed to perform. The skill and knowledge of the RVT helps achieve an excellent standard of care. Your primary duties will be divided between providing animal care and counseling clients on best practices for animal health.
Reporting Structure
You are required to report to the Head Technician, attending Veterinarian, Practice or Office Manager.
Educational Requirements
· Graduation from an accredited Animal Health/Veterinary Technology program is required.
· Registered (RVT) status or ability to write VTNE is required
Skills/Attributes
The ideal RVT is empathetic, thorough, detail oriented, calm under pressure and efficient.
· You are required to multitask at many points throughout the day and as a result must become proficient at prioritizing needs.
· Excellent communication skills are a must as this is a team environment the success of which relies on a cohesive and positive group. You will also spend time counseling clients in numerous areas of patient care and liaising with external company representatives (nutrition, lab, etc.).
· You must be able to work equally effectively on your own or as part of a team with or without supervision.
· Being part of a team means being able to accept and provide feedback in a mature, respectful, and helpful manner.
· As medicine is constantly changing so must you. You must be willing and excited to learn new concepts and approaches to patient care through continuing education. Adaptability and self-motivation are key traits to possess in order to succeed in this role.
· Specific technical skills needed are outlined under Responsibilities
Working Conditions
You must be able to work with unpleasant noises and odours, as well you must not be adverse to the sight of blood or bodily fluids. You may be exposed to contagious diseases and injury as a result of animal handling. Emergency of difficult situations will arise during which you must be able to remain patient, calm, and focused. You will walk or stand for prolonged periods of time, work in a bent position, and need to lift up to 50 lbs.
Responsibilities
As an RVT your primary focus is patient care and client counseling however you are also expected to take pride in the hospital appearance and assist with cleaning as needed.
Duties involved in each of these areas that you should be comfortable with include but are not limited to:
Animal Care- Inpatient
In-patient zone preparation of whiteboard, kennels, etc. for patient arrival; restraint for a variety of species (restraint for exotic species will be taught if needed); physical assessments/preliminary exams on all hospitalized patients; various methods of sample collection including venipuncture, cystocentesis, FNA’s, skin scraping, etc,; usage and maintenance of diagnostic equipment; fecal analysis, urinalysis, cytology, blood smear preparation and evaluation; preparation of samples for outside laboratories; establishing settings, positioning for, taking, and processing radiographs; preparation of surgical suite; administration of premedication, induction, and maintenance anesthetics; familiarity with common anesthetic agents, potential side effects, and anesthetic protocols; patient preparation for surgery; close monitoring of patients under general anesthesia and familiarity with monitoring devices; ability to recognize signs of distress and pain in animals (both anesthetized and awake); excellent knowledge of anesthetic circuits and how to troubleshoot; surgical assistance (sterile and circulating); IV fluid and medication calculations; preparation and administration of medications via a number of routes; placement and maintenance of IV catheters; dental cleanings and charting; assist with dental extractions as needed; maintenance of surgical and dental equipment; basic wound care and bandage placement; patient hygiene and feeding; detailed and accurate record keeping; placement of patient data into computer system; proper recording of data in all patient and medication logs; firm grasp on animal behaviour.
Animal Care- Outpatient
Restraint for a variety of species (restraint for exotic species will be taught if needed); performs preliminary exams if needed; collects patient history and discusses any pertinent preventive health issues such as parasite control, grooming, etc; retrieves samples (blood, fecal, etc.); assists veterinarian as needed during examination; prepares medications and any necessary literature; familiar with patient admitting and discharge procedures; firm grasp on animal behaviour.
Client Care
Understand how to listen and communicate effectively with clients; help clients overcome obstacles; anticipate client needs; familiarize yourself with
patient/client history; thorough understanding and support of hospital protocols; discuss/explain surgical and medical estimates; counsel clients on products prescribed such as parasite control, diet, grooming, and behavioural tools as well as common procedures performed such as dentals, spays, neuters, etc.; demonstrate techniques for homecare such as administering oral or topical medications, demonstrating SQ injections and fluid administration, oral hygiene and basic grooming and home care; complete patient recalls as needed and direct questions to DVM’s if required; provide accepted resources for better client compliance; support doctors and their recommendations to ensure best practices for patient health; ensure that all client needs have been met. Ensure patient follow-ups and laboratory result calls are completed in a timely manner.
Housekeeping
Understand principles of asepsis and sterility; familiar with appropriate cleaning products and necessary contact times; strong understanding of zoonoses/zoonotic agents; clean surgical suite and instruments; wraps packs to be sterilized; keep patient kennels clean at all times or alerts kennel attendant when cleaning is needed; clean up after yourself and patients in all areas of the hospital; restocks areas as needed; follows all daily, weekly, and monthly checklists put in place for hospital upkeep; keeps a running list of hospital needs and alerts appropriate staff member to said needs; assists with laundry as needed.
Administrative
Enters treatments, surgeries, comments, etc. into computer; assists client care specialists as needed with invoicing, phone inquiries, etc.; helps keep appointments running smoothly/helps with traffic flow; understands billing/payment options including pet insurance.
General
The RVT effectively communicates with all team members; has a good grasp on how to access/utilize commonly used tools for communication such as the computer, email, fax, etc.; is involved in receiving and stocking food and supply orders; follows all protocols put in place for a safe, environmentally friendly workplace; understands the principles of proper medical record keeping and upholds the necessary standard; deals tactfully and respectfully with all difficult situations that arise; maintains patient/client confidentiality at all times; attends all team building and training sessions; contributes positively to the hospital environment; shows respect, empathy, and kindness to all clients, patients, and co-workers; is always an advocate for all animals.
Other duties and responsibilities may be added from time to time.
What we offer:
- Friendly and supportive work environment
- Continuing education allowance
- Comprehensive benefit plan
- Access to Animal Care Technology online training
- Access to medical webinar events throughout the year by leading specialists
- Opportunity to advance in your career
- Commitment to the community and to helping pets in need through the Oscar Fund activities
- Competitive medical and pet supply discounts
Expected start date: 2021-01-25
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: $16.00-$18.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Vision care
Schedule:
- 10 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekends
Experience:
- Veterinary Technician: 3 years (Preferred)
Work remotely:
COVID-19 precaution(s):
- Personal protective equipment provided or required
- Social distancing guidelines in place
- Sanitizing, disinfecting, or cleaning procedures in place