Job Summary:  

The HRA Field Services Veterinary Technician assists the Field Services Veterinarian with providing access to in-home veterinary care right in the communities that need it most. By providing accessible medical care, the Field Services Veterinary Technician plays a crucial role in keeping pets where they belong: safe at home with the family who loves them. The Field Services Veterinary Technician assists the Field Services Veterinarian with providing preventive and primary medical services to DC’s most underserved communities with little to no access to veterinary clinics or other essential pet resources.  This new program will aid in building relationships deep within the communities we serve and help to divert the intake of animals who can be treated in a home setting with the families who love and care for them.  

HRA has a strong community outreach focus and provides a host of other medical care services to the community through low-cost vaccine clinics and grant-funded medical and surgical treatments as part of pet retention programs to preserve the human-animal bond.

Donor support allows HRA to invest in up-to-date medical equipment including digital radiographs; IDEXX equipment for in-house CBC and chemistry panels; microscopes including one dual-head microscope; digital dental radiographs; ultrasound; anesthesia monitoring equipment including capnograph, EKG, pulse oximeter, doppler; and three surgical suites all for use in providing the best treatment to shelter and community animals.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Medical

• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned. Assist the Field Services Veterinarian with in-home patient appointments for basic wellness procedures, including administering vaccinations, parasite treatments, and routine screenings
• Assist the Field Services Veterinarian with patient exams, including obtaining patient history, addressing client concerns, and performing indicated diagnostic testing. Prepare medications for the client/patient as prescribed by the veterinarian. 
• Be proficient in animal restraint for various procedures (examples: injections, venipuncture, intubation, euthanasia).
• Collect and prepare laboratory samples including blood, urine, feces and perform in-house lab work or prepare to be sent to reference laboratory.
• Capture diagnostic radiographs.
• Calculate, administer and record medications, and complete controlled drug logs.
• Perform nursing care such as wound care, administering medications (oral, topical, injectable), special diets, checking vital signs, placing and maintaining IV catheters, and administering and monitoring IV fluid therapy.
• Assist with minor surgical procedures amenable to being performed on an outpatient basis. 
• Provide vaccinations and basic wellness care on-site and in the community at subsidized free or low-cost clinics. 
• Respond to emergency situations and administer triage care or CPR as needed.
• Perform and assist with euthanasia.

Customer Service 

• Communicate in an effective, caring, and professional manner with clients, the public, HRA staff members, and volunteers.
• When the Field Services Veterinarian has documented information about an animal’s condition, adequately explain such information to clients.
• Always represent HRA in a professional and courteous manner 
• Provide quality service to the public, volunteers, and employees recognizing their individual contributions to the success of HRA.
• Coordinate and collaborate with local veterinarians and clinic/shelter professionals to promote positive and productive relationships; participate in arranging for care at private veterinary hospitals as needed.
• Provide medical information and representation to other departments of HRA, the public, and the media.

Administrative/Other

• Update and maintain patient files, review care plans, and handle other administrative duties as necessary.
• Document all exam findings, test results, and treatment recommendations on medical record as directed by the Field Services Veterinarian.
• Follow written and verbally communicated HRA Standard Operating Procedures.
• Maintain an understanding of the programs of HRA and work collaboratively with all departments across the organization to ensure the highest level of service and care is provided to animals and people.    
• Assist in the development, implementation, and revision of goals, policies, and procedures for HRA.
• Perform euthanasia according to established protocols including decision-making requirements. 
• Maintain medical record and controlled substance logs to standards of veterinary and sheltering practices and organizational SOPs; ensure that records are in order and complete and maintained in organizational systems; provide information in a manner understandable by adopters. 
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of shelter animal health protocols and companion animal health issues. 
• Take immediate action to address any safety concern or noncompliance of safety rules that could put an employee, volunteer, client, animal, volunteer, or organization at risk.
• Attend continuing education as required or assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Proficient technical skills, including but not limited to administering medications, phlebotomy, placing IV catheters, analyzing blood, urine, fecal samples, obtaining vital signs, monitoring anesthesia, capturing radiographs.
• Knowledge and skill in restraint and handling techniques, general animal safety practices, including recognizing animal behavior patterns. 
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a team. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills w/ customer service orientation. Ability to communicate effectively, courteously, professionally. 
• Computer literacy w/ proficient use of programs including Microsoft Office programs, email, Internet, and database software. 
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license with a good driving record.
• Passion for the Humane Rescue Alliance mission, and for caring for all animals regardless of age, breed, temperament, or species, and supporting and educating members of the public, free of judgment or bias. 

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

• Ability to lift 50 pounds unassisted regularly, 50+ pounds assisted. 
• Ability to be comfortable working with cats, dogs, small animals, reptiles, fish, and wildlife. 
• Ability to perform strenuous physical activity on a daily basis, including but not limited to: lifting and carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting and bending, walking, and standing on feet.
• Work is performed in clients’ homes, a shelter medical center setting, and outdoors.
• Due to nature of shelter work, may be exposed to deceased, fractious, or aggressive animals; common allergens; hostile or irate persons; zoonotic or other diseases; unpleasant noises, odors, or sights; and extreme temperatures. 

Education and Experience 

• Certified or licensed Veterinary Technician preferred. 
• Minimum two years of progressively responsible experience as a Veterinary Technician. 
• Ability to pass skills assessment during the interview process. 
• Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply 

Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. A salary premium may be offered for multilingual candidates who demonstrate proficiency in written and oral testing.

HRA is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate because of race, color, creed, gender, religion, national origin, disability, age, pregnancy, genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital status, citizenship status, or sexual orientation. Accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals requiring them.

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