Summary
This job involves helping a veterinarian care for animals at a public shelter in Nashville, including tasks like giving treatments, handling emergencies, and keeping the facility clean.
It suits someone who loves working with animals, has hands-on experience in vet care, and can handle physical work in a team setting.
Ideal candidates are compassionate, detail-oriented, and committed to animal welfare in a busy public health environment.
Full Job Description
Metro Nashville Public Health (MPHD) is seeking a Licensed Veterinary Technician. This position works under the general supervision of the staff veterinarian, assisting the veterinarian with providing medical and surgical care for animals at Metro Animal Care and Control. This position is responsible for animal handling, patient care and medical treatments.
If you have any questions about this position please contact MPHD HR at (615)-340-5640.
Requirements
- Assist with diagnostic procedures and acquiring laboratory samples, processing in-house and reference lab samples, taking radiographs, anesthesia administration and monitoring, dental prophylaxis, surgical preparation and recovery, hospitalized patient care, critical/emergency care, triage and euthanasia of animals.
- Perform routine medical evaluations and diagnostic procedures, including but not limited to taking digital and dental radiographs, and collecting blood, urine, and stool samples.
- Provide nursing care or emergency first aid to injured or recovering animals.
- Train other shelter staff in proper observation/diagnostic methods, personal and patient safety as well as animal handling techniques.
- Responsible for the daily care of animals, including providing appropriate food and water. and basic grooming and bathing.
- Provide basic grooming and bathing; clean animal cages and runs; and perform general housekeeping of shelter.
- Maintain daily log sheets and treatment histories, complete related animal care reports, and maintain other record keeping as required.
- Maintain inventory of clinic supplies, research specifications, prices and availability of materials and equipment, and establish maintenance schedules for clinic equipment.
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws established by the Tennessee Board of Veterinary Medicine and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
- Work cooperatively with the shelter manager and staff and foster a spirit of teamwork.
- Demonstrate MPHD’s core values of Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Dedication, and Equity (P.R.I.D.E.) when interacting with the public and employees of the Metropolitan Government.
- Respond to patron inquiries and performs other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Education and ExperienceAssociate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology or a related field.Must have 3 years’ experience as a veterinary technician or relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
Licensure- Active Veterinary Technician license from the State of Tennessee.
- Must be a Certified Animal Euthanasia Technician (CAET) or obtain that certification within six months of hire.
- Valid class “D” driver’s license.
Vaccinations:
Must receive pre-exposure rabies vaccinations.
Working Environment/Physical Demands:Medium to heavy work that involves walking, standing, bending, stooping, lifting, and exerting up to 50 pounds of force on a regular and reoccurring basis, including restraint of animals of varying size, age, and physical condition.
Must use protective clothing or gear.
May risk exposure to toxic and caustic chemicals, and animals/wildlife, including exposure to animal bites, scratches, and diseases such as Rabies, Ringworm, Lyme disease and Zoonosis.
MPHD seeks to be a socially and culturally responsive organization that acknowledges and addresses historical and current inequities in our public health promotion and practice. Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to work with multicultural communities.Candidates with accreditations earned in a foreign institute are encouraged to apply, however at the present time MPHD is not sponsoring individuals through any of the US Government’s employment-based immigration programs.