This is an exciting time for OC Animal Care. With the support of the community and elected officials, construction for a new modern shelter in Tustin was completed in early 2018. The new shelter has indoor/outdoor temperature-controlled kennels, multiple exercise yards to facilitate shelter dog enrichment and the opportunity to manage multiple dog play groups. Cats susceptible to stress are afforded abundant natural light and ventilation in large cat cages, group cat rooms and even catios.
The Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) will have the opportunity to leverage stronger medical and technical skills to make a difference within a busy environment driven by our Strategic Plan. With 2018 save rates of 93.2% for dogs and 73.2% for cats and our Strategic Plan drives us to maintain our high canine save rate while increasing our feline save rate. Our high-quality veterinary clinic provides PCV/TP, Blood Glucose, digital radiology, oxygen cages, IV fluid pumps, infectious disease isolation and separation of species that enter the shelter. Multiple surgery rooms afford the ability to more swiftly provide spay/neuter services so as not to prolong animal stays.
The RVT will be responsible for providing assistance in the Veterinary Services Unit with restraint for veterinary examinations, assisting in surgery with induction, prep, and recovery of surgical animals, administering medical care and medication prescribed by the Veterinarian, monitoring animals for illnesses and injuries, reporting illnesses and injuries to the Veterinarian, as well as, data entry for impounded animals.
Overall, duties and responsibilities will include but are not limited to the following:
Under direction of Veterinarian, provides medical care and treatment to animals by assisting in conducting physical examinations, administering medications and immunizations, observing for clinical symptoms; and assisting with admissions, discharges and surgical releases, checking incisions; and checking and applying splints, clipping and bathing animals to remove mats, blood, tar or other materials detrimental to the animal's health
Collects lab specimens including blood, urine, sputum, feces, and removes heads for rabies testing, etc
Assists the Veterinarian in surgery by insuring that correct equipment and instruments are at hand, that monitoring and support equipment such as anesthetic machines, monitors, scopes, breathing apparatus are operable and by sanitizing necessary equipment, instruments and the surgery area
Renders emergency treatment to animals
Maintains records of animal treatments and monitors the feeding, care and physical condition of animals under veterinary care
Maintains an inventory of all pharmaceuticals, including controlled substances, and equipment and supplies
Maintains effective relations with public. Answers routine to complex animal care questions
Assists in departmental training programs by giving instruction in basic animal health matters
Provides guidance and direction to the Veterinary Assistant staff. Monitors work and trains new assistants
Euthanizes impounded animals by the injection of appropriate substances when medical conditions or behavioral defects adversely affect the animal or public safety
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES The ideal candidate shall possess an Associates Degree or higher in Pet Science, Animal Science, Veterinary Medicine or other related field. In addition to the required Certificate of Registration as a Registered Veterinary Technician issued by the California Veterinary Medical Board, the ideal candidate will also possess five (5) years of experience related to providing medical care to animals with at least two (2) years of experience directly related to working in an animal shelter setting.
In addition, the ideal candidate will demonstrate extensive knowledge and/or related experience in the following core competencies:
Technical Experience | Animal Care
Providing medical care and treatment of ill and/or injured animals, including but not limited to: administering vaccinations, deworming treatments, providing medical treatments and diagnostic testing of sick and injured animals
Performing animal health care services, including but not limited to: administering controlled medications, placing intravascular catheters, inducing anesthesia by inhalation and intravenous injection, applying casts and splints, and suturing existing skin incisions
Providing animal care medical services in a fast paced, high volume environment
Euthanizing impounded animals by injection of appropriate substances when deemed medically necessary
Customer Service | Relationship Building
Providing clients with basic animal health instructions
Providing guidance and direction to Veterinary Assistants regarding providing care for animals impounded in the animal shelter
Coordinating with the Veterinarian regarding observations of ill or injured animals
Written | Oral Communication
Providing training for staff on topics including animal color identification, restraint and basic medical triage
Updating charts and providing documentation of animal care processes and protocol
Providing after-care instructions to clients, volunteers, and animal shelter staff
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Please click here to view the minimum qualifications for Registered Veterinary Technician.
About County of Orange
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Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
