Introduction:

The Head Veterinary Technician trains, supervises, and assists technician and veterinary technician assistants to plan, coordinate, and perform a variety of duties concerned with animal health and client education. The head veterinary technician also promotes efficiency by relieving veterinarians of technical work and administrative detail at North Scottsdale Animal Hospital. The head veterinary technician directs, plans, and coordinates a variety of patient service functions that are related to client management and the healthcare team. These functions include maintenance of veterinary medical records, accounts maintenance, and training of personnel to maintain the highest standard of client service and client patient care.

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Primary Job Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and oversee veterinary technicians, technician assistants who directly or indirectly provide patient care.

• Organize oversee the team to provide a consistent standard of care and assure that all charges are invoiced and all services are made available to clients.

• Direct on-the-job training. Discuss disciplinary actions needed with the practice administrator and assist with the follow through. Maintain effective employee-management communication.

• Finds way to increase the client and patient experience to make it more pleasurable and makes sure we are exceeding our client’s expectations.

• Work well with all team members and ensure that your actions support the hospital, the doctors, and the practice philosophy.

• Train, supervise, and assist the veterinary technicians in their performance of a veterinary of technical and client education duties that facilitate the work of the practitioners, technicians, and the hospital administrator who directly or indirectly provide patient care.

• Exhibit a technical knowledge of products and medications sold, including dietary products. Demonstrate the ability to explain and educate clients on products and answer their questions regarding product purchase/use.

• Make recommendations to the practice manager concerning personnel matters, disciplinary actions and follow through.

• Provide guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

• Perform technician responsibilities as outlines in the Veterinary Technician job description below:

• Collect specimens and perform routine laboratory procedures and tests in hematology, biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, urinalysis, and serology to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems.

• Dispense and administer medications, vaccines, serums and treatments as prescribed by veterinarians.

• Administer fluids and blood products as prescribed by the veterinarians.

• Administer and monitor anesthesia under the direction of a veterinarian.

• Provide specialized nursing care for injured or ill animals.

• Prepare patients, instruments and equipment for surgery.

• Assure that monitoring and support equipment for surgery.

• Assure that monitoring and support equipment such as anesthetic machines, cardiac monitors, scopes and breathing apparatus are in good working condition.

• Assist in diagnostic, medical and surgical procedures using a range of high-tech diagnostic equipment including electrocardiographic, radiographic, and ultrasonography equipment.

• Take and process radiographs.

• Communicate with and educate owners.

• Maintain knowledge of preventative healthcare recommendations in order to answer client questions, provide education on vaccines, flea and heartworm products, and assist in marketing veterinary services from which their pet would benefit, such as a dental cleaning, senior wellness, spay and neuter and boarding.

• Work well with all employees and ensure that your actions support the hospital, the doctors, and the practice philosophy.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

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Skills and Knowledge:

• Recognize and assist in solving professional, administrative and supervisory problems in assigned area. Position exercises considerable judgment in applying professional knowledge in solving nursing problems within established policies and practices and is reviewed by the supervisor through conferences, reports and observation of results obtained.

• Knowledge of the procedures used for receiving, treating and scheduling patients, for ordering medical supplies, and requesting laboratory tests.

• Knowledge of the use care, and storage of veterinary instruments, materials, and equipment.

• Knowledge of spelling and the meaning of commonly used veterinary terminology in order to accurately enter specific information onto patient records.

• Knowledge of the structure and content of English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

• Knowledge of the procedures used for receiving, treating, and scheduling patients, for ordering medical supplies, and requesting laboratory tests.

• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks as well as to accept direction on the given assignments. Understand and carry out oral and written direction.

• Knowledge of sterilization techniques to sterilize various instruments and materials.

• Knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized procedures use in the full variety of treatments to make preparations and provide “tableside” assistance.

• Strong communication, leadership and motivation skills. Has the ability to direct, guide and assist a group of individuals.

• Critical thinking – understanding logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

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Physical Effort:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job.

• Frequently required to bend, stand, stoop, walk, sit, talk and listen, frequently working in a bent position.

• Frequently use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel; will reach with hands and arms.

• Use strength or agility in capturing and restraining stronger, more active animals.

• Frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.