Licensed Veterinary Technician

Summary:

Overview

The Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) delivers compassionate nursing care and has a broad knowledge of animal science, medicine, and husbandry, including a basic knowledge of pharmacology, shelter medicine, behavior, and proficient mathematical skills. The LVT is responsible for a broad range of medical and administrative tasks in the ARC that serves animals admitted through the NYPD Partnership program.

One of the most critical functions of this role is serving as a member of a team of medical, behavior and sheltering operations personnel, all dedicated to working together to provide holistic care for victims of cruelty and neglect.

Who We Are

The ARC (Animal Recovery Center) facility is dedicated to the recovery and rehabilitation of victims of cruelty and neglect admitted through NYPD and the ASPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) and Community Engagement (CE) programs.

Our dedicated team of more than 45 sheltering, medical, and animal behavior professionals work closely with the ASPCA Animal Hospital, Forensics, Legal Advocacy and Investigations, Behavioral Sciences, Shelter Medicine Services, Community Engagement, Placement, and the Adoption Center teams to ensure coordinated response and operations, and holistic, balanced, high quality care for the animals we serve.

What You’ll Do

The Licensed Veterinary Technician reports directly to the Senior Director of Veterinary Services and has no direct reports.

Where and When You’ll Work

This position is an on-site role and reports to the 92nd Street ASPCA location.

• This is a full-time position. Weekends may be required. Position may require occasional flexibility and occasional overtime.

Responsibilities:

Responsibility buckets are listed in general order of importance, and include but are not limited to:  

Nursing and Shelter Population Care

• Possess in depth knowledge and understanding of veterinary medical concepts
• Care for up to 40 cats/dogs per day.
• Provide compassionate and quality patient care at all times utilizing Fear Free/Low Stress handling,
• Proficiency in various technical nursing skills, including, but not limited to, venipuncture, catheter placement, intubation, anesthesia monitoring, diagnostic imaging, critical care, pharmacology, and dentistry. 
• Possess critical thinking and multi-tasking skills
• Ability to prioritize and re-prioritize based on hospital, ARC and new case needs
• Be familiar with infectious diseases, including their prevention and steps to reduce or eliminate transmission
• Administer injections, animal vaccinations, medications, treatments, and supportive care measures as directed by departmental Standard Operating Procedures and attending Veterinarian.
• Perform venipuncture, run diagnostic tests, and administer fluids as needed.
• Maintain and compile weekly order of medical supplies inventory, including emergency drugs.
• Ensure that supplies are in-date.
• Ensure that all structures and equipment are functional. When equipment is not working properly report to the appropriate team or department for timely repair.
• Maintain all necessary logs, inventory, DTM plates and patient records and checklists.
• Create and manage accurate treatment sheets, surgery and procedure requests and medication orders
• Stay current in knowledge of emergency drugs and protocols.
• Accurately communicate information about an animal’s condition to the direct care team.
• Support the Medical Supervisor and other veterinarians in the planning and performance of humane euthanasia.
   

Team, Administrative, Training

• Maintain open mind regarding changes and be willing to learn, implement, and teach new protocols
• Provide leadership, onboarding and training to the direct care team and train new hires
• Remain composed while working in fast-paced environment with changing priorities
• Work well both independently and cooperatively as part of team.
• Provide medical information and representation to other ASPCA departments.
• Communicate all relevant and necessary patient information to ARC management and veterinarians
• Communicate thorough and detailed patient updates (including behavior and operational information) to the on-coming LVTs.
• Keep the veterinarians apprised of all medical issues.
• Keep the behavior, management and medical teams apprised of all behavior and safety issues.
• Adhere to all protocols put forth by Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
• Follow, support and model all departmental Standard Operating Procedures.
• Follow all behavior sedation procedures and communicate any needed deviation from the plans immediately to ensure the safety of the animals and the team.
• Attend all daily shift rounds, monthly staff meetings and scheduled training sessions.
• Give presentations/trainings to new and existing staff as directed
• Delegate appropriate tasks to the direct care team.
• Communicate in effective and professional manner with public and all ASPCA staff members
• Administrative duties as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

Housekeeping and Maintenance

• Clean and disinfect kennels, transport carriers, equipment, and facility while utilizing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Follow all departmental PPE and cleaning protocols
• Take inventory and stock supplies as needed.
• Assist in keeping supplies stocked by noting when supplies are running low in all areas.
• Make certain ARC, including exam rooms, common areas, playrooms, and kennels are kept clean and organized throughout the day. Appropriately direct the ICA's when needed.

Qualifications:

• Ability to successfully work in a high-volume, fast-paced environment that combines emergency and shelter medicine and effectively multi-task with a high degree of integrity and accountability and without loss of attention to detail.
• Must be able to handle multiple tasks at once and deal with high levels of stress in an environment of constantly changing priorities.
• Excellent low stress animal handling skills.
• Ability to work well within a team and communicate effectively and courteously with all levels of staff.
• Maintain open mind regarding changes and be willing to learn, implement, and teach new protocols
• Maintain strict confidentiality when dealing with criminal cases.
• The ability to work closely with behaviorally and medically compromised animals and feel comfortable working in an environment where humane euthanasia is performed on a regular basis.
• Obtain continuing education as required by ASPCA and state licensing board
• Deploy locally or nationally at least one time per year.
• Dependable and ability to demonstrate regular and reliable attendance.
• Team player and willingness to adjust schedule if operations require.
• Ability to walk, bend, stand and reach constantly during a minimum 8-hour day, ability to lift 50 lbs.
• Able to safely walk and handle dogs 100 lbs. or over, up and down stairs.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office.
• Ability to exemplify ASPCA’s core values and behavioral competencies

Licensed Veterinary Technician - American Association of Veterinary State Boards

Language:

English (Required), Spanish

Education and Work Experience:

Associates: Veterinary Technician (Required)1 - 3 years’ veterinary hospital and/or shelter experience preferred., Veterinary Technician Experience