Shelter Licensed Veterinary Technician

Job Details: Job Location: Animal Protective Foundation of Schenectady - Glenville, NY, Salary Range: $26.00 - $28.00Hourly, $1000 Sign-On Bonus AvailableNew employees are eligible to receive a $1000 sign-on bonus after 90 days of successful employment. Join our team and build a rewarding career with us. Sign-on bonus is subject to successful completion of the introductory 90-day employment period and continued active employment on the payout date.Love veterinary medicine. Love your life outside of work.If you're a Licensed Veterinary Technician ready to leave behind the stress of private practice, the Animal Protective Foundation offers a refreshing alternative. Join a compassionate, mission-driven team where you'll provide exceptional care to animals while enjoying predictable daytime hours and no nights or weekend. It's an opportunity to rediscover why you chose this profession without sacrificing your personal life. The Animal Protective Foundation (APF) is hiring a full-time Licensed Veterinary Technician for our shelter. The APF is an animal welfare organization serving the greater Capital Region since 1931. Our vision is a community where all companion animals are loved, respected, and receive exceptional care. We also promote life-work balance and are committed to supporting our team members by paying a living wage, offering generous PTO, an employee assistance program, and matching contributions to our 401(k) plan. Full-time staff are eligible for health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits.The Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) is an important professional animal care specialist and a key component in the day-to-day medical care of the animals in the shelter. In our clinic, responsible for daily care of all surgical patients, assisting doctors and veterinary assistants with pre-, peri- and post-operative care of patients, general cleaning, and training others to utilize our patient care protocols. It is the expectation that the LVT will strive to keep technical skills and medical knowledge current and at a high level of proficiency.General DutiesAnimal Shelter: Conduct daily morning rounds to visually observe and monitor the health and well-being of every animal in the shelter. Review notations made by staff/volunteers on daily behavior logs, record these and appropriate response/ treatment into shelter database. In partnership with the veterinarian take immediate steps to address any changes in health/behavior of shelter animals Provide consistent and ongoing medical oversight for animals in the shelter per direction from the veterinarian(s), standard operating procedures and standing orders. Ensure that vaccinations are given and repeated in accordance with APF procedures. Ensure the treatment and monitoring of animals as prescribed by the supervising veterinarian. Accurately complete medical records, paperwork and enter information into the shelter database program in a timely fashion. Identify shelter animals suitable for spay/neuter surgery; consult with the clinic client services manager for scheduling. Ensure that proper steps are taken regarding food and water consumption the day before surgery. Ensure there is always an adequate stock of supplies, medications, and vaccinations on hand in appropriate treatment/incoming areas.  Maintain high standard of cleanliness in surgical and treatment areas/rooms.  Become and maintain euthanasia certification. Perform euthanasia as required and in accordance with all laws regulating the use of drugs and equipment. Assist other technicians to carry out euthanasia when needed. Perform basic lab work (heartworm testing, FeLV/FIV testing, urinalysis, fecal samples, and skin scrapes), collect appropriate specimens, prepare, and administer medications on the orders of the supervising veterinarian.    Spay/Neuter Clinic: Efficiently pre-medicate, induce, and intubate any patients as necessary. Able to monitor anesthesia with a clear idea of abnormal conditions and general steps to take to remedy typical complications. Monitoring of dental procedures.  Securely handle and track controlled substances for large volumes of surgical patients. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations as listed below through maintenance of official records and documents. Ensure prompt and accurate paperwork procedures are followed each day, including careful labeling of documents and drugs. Knowledge and ability to intake and release patients, including delivering post-operative instructions in a competent and friendly manner.  Able to respond appropriately during an emergency, able to take directions from a veterinarian and direct others during the event and maintain competency during CPR procedures. Additional duties will include but are not limited to being able to “glove-in” sterilely and assist doctor with surgery when appropriate. Safely express urinary bladders pre-op.  Place and secure intravenous catheters. Administer vaccinations, medications and microchips as directed by the veterinarian.   Assemble and sterilize surgical packs and supplies. End of day clean up and restocking.  Handle medical phone calls and inquiries. Communicates in a way that demonstrates and promotes collaboration, cooperation, and problem solving. Uses good interpersonal skills to foster a positive work environment, teamwork, and productivity and maintaining surgical flow.Qualifications: Current license to practice in New York state as a licensed veterinary technician is required.  All New York State required continuing education credits must be completed.   Two or more years of experience in a veterinary clinic, veterinary hospital, and/or shelter or control facility is preferable.   Must be able to read, write and speak clearly in English so that written and verbal instructions can be followed.   General handling and knowledge of variety of animal species, behaviors, general physical needs, common diseases, and medical conditions. General knowledge of routine veterinary needs of variety of animal species and ability to perform routine and emergency treatment. General knowledge of veterinary surgical operations, monitoring, preparation, and equipment, including drugs and instrumentANIMAL HANDLING•    Must be able to handle companion animals in a caring, safe, and humane manner.•    Must be able to learn characteristics of animal behavior such as identifying aggressive or fearful behavior and act accordingly for pet and human safety, with a goal of reducing fear, anxiety, and stress.•    Must be able to use appropriate safety equipment for fractious or feral animals (will train) such as towels, gloves, nets, and shields– the use of safety equipment is mandatory.•    Must possess excellent reflexes and good common sense to respond quickly to a variety of medical situations (with training).•    Must become proficient at animal restraint for various procedures. •    Should be able to identify own limitations and be willing to ask for help.PHYSICAL DEMANDS •    Must be able to work standing or sitting for 8 or more hours.•    Must be able to lift and carry up to 30 pounds repeatedly throughout the day with help.•    Must be able to bend and kneel repeatedly.•    Must have good hearing, including ability to distinguish changes in pitch.•    Must have reasonable degree of agility to move through tightly cramped areas in various situations.•    Must have an acceptable sense of touch and smell.•    Must have good range of motion in joints especially wrist, knees, elbows.•    Must have a good range of motion in your back for twisting, etc.•    Must be able to work in potentially extreme environmental temperatures.•    Must have an acceptable sense of balance.•    Must be able to work and reach on hands and knees.•    Must be able to use a ladder and/or step stool.•    Must possess excellent hand-eye coordination.•    May be asked to move large oxygen tanks.•    Must possess an acceptable degree of dexterity in hands and fingers.•    Must have good vision, including peripheral vision, fine detail, distance, depth perception, and ability to focus.POTENTIAL AND PROLONGED EXPOSURES•    Prolonged exposure to various aqueous solutions, including but not limited to, dish soap, chlorhexidine, isopropanol, hydrogen peroxide, and formalin solution. Additional exposures include exposure to isoflurane gas, bleach, needles, and surgical blades. CONTACT WITH OTHERSRequires strong interpersonal skills and a compassionate spirit.  Has regular contact with other shelter employees, volunteers and with the public during their visits to the shelter.  Must exercise appropriate judgment in answering questions and releasing information; analyze and project consequences of decisions and/or recommendations. Required to work well independently and as a part of the team.