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City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

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Animal Health Technician
FLSA: Standard/Non-Exempt EEO Category: (80) Serv/Maint
Class Code: 10550 Salary Grade: JB2
Approved: October 24, 1997 Last Revised: March 01, 2022

Purpose:
 

Under general supervision of Veterinarians, this position provides medical care and treatment to animals at a high-capacity animal shelter. This includes routine, preventative, and emergency care of sheltered animals, as well as providing support functions to Veterinarians during surgical procedures.  
Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:
  Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
  1. Monitors the health and welfare of animals within the shelter and provides medical care under the direction of staff Veterinarians; to include performing physical examinations, vaccinations, in-house laboratory tests, collecting specimens, and performing diagnostics to determine and evaluate the health condition of animals at the time of impound or prior to adoption or surgery.
  2. Assists Veterinarians in surgery to include preparing and administering pre-anesthetics and induction agents, monitoring the animal during surgery, and providing post-operative care.
  3. Assists in the euthanasia of animals identified by Veterinarians or shelter management with understanding and compassion for the animal.
  4. Assists Veterinarians with emergency care and treatment in life-threatening situations. Implants microchips in sheltered animals. Prepares, transports, and documents specimens for rabies testing, and reports results.
  5. Maintains accurate and relevant written and electronic records of medical treatments, care provided, and physical condition of animals, including those of unknown health and temperament.
  6. Assists other staff with animals; contributes to the programs and services that support the shelter’s live outcome goal.
  7. Attends training.
Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:
 

May provide training, and guidance to others.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
  • Knowledge of disease management and safety protocols.
  • Knowledge of animal services and related programs.
  • Knowledge of current principles and practice of veterinary medicine as it relates to shelter medicine.
  • Knowledge of animal care and husbandry of common breeds of dogs, cats, livestock, and other animals kept as domestic pets.
  • Knowledge of general surgical procedures, aseptic technique, and operation of common equipment used in providing veterinary care.
  • Knowledge of euthanasia techniques.
  • Knowledge of Local, State, and Federal animal health laws and regulations.
  • Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
  • Skill in providing medical care services to a wide variety of well, sick, and injured animals including support of high volume spay/neuter operations.
  • Skill in identifying normal and abnormal behavior and signs of disease including the symptoms of rabies and other zoonotic diseases.
  • Skill in safely handling animals, including those with unknown temperament.
  • Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
  • Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
  • Skill in using computers and related software applications.
  • Skill in safely handling animals, including those with unknown temperament.
  • Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with City employees and the public.
Minimum Qualifications:
 

Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus one (1) year of work experience, including six (6) months of experience in a field related to the job.
Licenses and Certifications Required:
 

Valid Texas Class C Driver License.

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty required of the position given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The listing of duties and responsibilities shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.