Job Details

WHO IS WEST COAST ANIMAL HOSPITAL?

WCAH is an AAHA, privately owned small animal practice of 9 DVMs. We are dedicated to employee growth, open communication, and employee satisfaction.

Staff culture is a huge priority for us. We are looking for someone to join our hard working, hard laughing team while providing high quality care for our patients and our clients. We ask that all of our staff uphold our core values of progressive advancement, excellent patient/client service, exceptional communication, and collaborative teamwork.

Interested in working for us? Check out our website at www.westcoast.vet or our IG @westcoastpet

JOB DESCRIPTION

REGISTERED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN with Advanced Dental Experience

To apply email resume and cover letter to ...@westcoast.vet

REPORTS TO: Practice Owner, Attending Veterinarian or Technician Manager

The Registered Veterinary Technician is the veterinarian's primary medical support. They are licensed through the state and have the deepest level of technical knowledge and skill. They aid the veterinarians in achieving greater efficiency by relieving them of technical work and administrative detail. They have a deep understanding of veterinarian's preferences and thoroughly anticipate their needs. They have a very significant role in communicating with and educating clients about their pets as well as mentorship and training of other staff. The RVT is experienced and possesses the highest level of proficiency and competency with dentistry, client education, and hands on skills.

EDUCATION AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Associate or Bachelor degree
• California RVT license required

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 2 years experience as an RVT required
• Minimum 2 years experience performing advanced dental extractions, surgical closures, and dental radiograph interpretation.

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of 18 years old.
• Genuinely enjoys working with animals and is able to work with them even when they are stressed, ill or in pain.
• Can stay calm and efficient during a medical crisis.
• Is well-spoken and approaches his/her job duties in a mature nature.
• Is experienced in the teamwork approach and works well with all levels of hospital team members including mentorship and training of other staff
• Has outstanding client communication skills.
• Physical Effort: Work requires lifting and carrying animals (will be assisted by other staff members in lifting animals over 40 lbs). Walks or stands for extended periods or time; frequently works in a bent position.
• Working conditions: May be exposed to unpleasant odors, noises and animal feces. May be exposed to bites, scratches and contagious diseases.

WAGE RANGE

The range for this position is $27/hour plus commission. RVT's earn additional production on the extractions they perform.

Earnings depend on utilization of RVT specific skills including, but not limited to, surgical experience, splint placement, and dentistry.

Benefits are outlined in the employee manual and are separate from the hourly wage.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

• Can take proper dental radiographs and assist with interpretation
• Can perform advanced dental procedures, including multi-root extractions on both feline and canine patients, complex gingival closures, and full mouth extractions on felines when indicated
• Can successful complete multi-extraction dental procedures in above average speed
• Can safely induce anesthesia and intubation
• Can provide compassionate care to patients and clients.
• Dependable, arrives at shift in a timely manner and is committed to upholding the core values and mission of the hospital
• Can conduct oneself in a confident and professional manner even when stressed and/or focused on individual tasks.
• Is responsible for the safety and well-being of patients while under anesthesia and/or hospitalized.
• Can safety calculate drug doses and handle controlled drugs.
• Can assist the veterinarian in medical, surgical, and dental procedures; prepares patients for surgery; administers anesthesia; monitors patients during surgery and recovery; administers fluids.
• Can assist in complicated surgeries, knows proper gowning, gloving and sterile technique
• Can perform surgical closure of skin wounds
• Can properly place splints and complex bandages
• Can repair an aural hematoma under the supervision of a DVM
• Can properly care for all surgical materials; keep the operating room properly stocked and prepared for surgery.
• Can recognize and respond to emergency procedures such as control of bleeding, resuscitation with oxygen, opening airways, and external cardiac massage (CPR).
• Can legibly keep accurate medical records in accordance hospital policy.
• Can prepare and maintain the exam rooms and treatment areas.
• Can perform physical assessments; record observations legibly in files or computer.
• Can proficiently restrain pets even when large, difficult or fractious.
• Understands all common vaccinations and vaccination protocols and can explain to clients.
• Intervene/oversees issues in the patient care department. Experienced and able to take over care of complex situations.
• Knows all common preventative medicines and can explain their use to clients.
• Has advanced knowledge of common medical conditions and their treatments.
• Understands usage, knows the dosage, and common side-effects for commonly used prescription drugs and can readily explain them to the clients.
• Can perform advanced medical math/dose calculations and constant rate infusions
• Understands the importance of a clean and orderly facility, does not hesitate to clean or organize as part of a normal job duty.
• Maintains positive, cooperative relationships with other employees and provides mentorship/training and oversight to assistants, technicians and veterinarians.
• Gives SQ, IM and IV injections (with or without IV port).
• Can perform ultrasound guided cystocentesis and sterile urinary catheterization.
• Can handle client's medical questions with confidence and direct to veterinarians when appropriate.
• Can prepare complex estimates for procedures and discuss financial commitments with clients supporting hospital financial policies.
• Can explain necessary follow-up and homecare instructions.
• Can properly care for all surgical materials; keep the operating room properly stocked and prepared for surgery.

• Can perform and interpret clinical laboratory procedures such as cytologies, platelet counts, heartworm checks, misc snap tests, skin scrapings, urinalysis; draws blood for laboratory analysis; maintains file of lab test results and ensures that test results are recorded in patient records.
• Can proficiently position for and perform image capture of radiographs for advanced/orthopedic studies and can do this without the direct supervision of a veterinarian.
• Can place IV catheters and properly care for them. Understands the use and care of IV pumps including troubleshooting them.
• Can proficiently perform venous puncture and catheterization in the most difficult patients.
• Oversight of critical hospitalized patients ensuring medications and treatments are performed on schedule and alerting the veterinarian to changes in patient status
• Knows common disease states and can alert veterinarians when symptoms change or when concerns arise with hospitalized patients.
• Can admit patients following hospital policy and doctors written orders.
• Can discharge patients based on the veterinarian's orders, ensuring that patients are well groomed and in a medically appropriate state.
• Is a leader and easily to approach
• Mentor to other staff members
• Enjoys sharing their knowledge and challenging others to build on their skills.