Veterinary Technician at County of DuPage – Wheaton, Illinois

We are pleased to offer the current job opportunity for a Veterinary Technician position in the Animal Services Department. DuPage County Animal Services (DCAS) is an immediate open admission shelter caring for more than 2,300 animals of varying species annually.

This position is eligible for our complete benefit package including medical, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, pension, deferred compensation plan, tuition reimbursement, pre-paid legal and credit union. As a team member at DuPage County, you will also have access to time off with pay on Designated Holidays or holiday pay if required to work, Vacation time, Sick time and Paid Leave. To learn more about the cost and coverage of the benefits plan, visit Employees Benefit Information.

For detailed information on paid time off, visit Employee Policy Manual, Section 5

DuPage County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Responsibilities Include:

• Maintains health check list and assists veterinarian in medical rounds
• Communicates staff’s animal health concerns to veterinarian
• Monitors population, flow and status of animals in shelter/foster
• Assists veterinarian in all practices and procedures of medical and surgical support using proper aseptic techniques
• Maintains surgical schedule and communicates any updates to all necessary parties
• Induces anesthesia
• Performs catheterization both urinary and venous
• Cleans and bandages wounds as ordered by the veterinarian
• Monitors daily animal observation sheets
• Administers medication– (e.g. as injections, oral medications, topical treatments, etc.) as directed by Veterinarian
• Certified for euthanasia and administers euthanasia when necessary
• Cleans instruments and wraps surgical packs
• Provides humane care and handling of animals accepted into the shelter
• Works with Veterinarian to develop and recommend humane care standards and uphold standards of care for shelter animals
• Assists animal care staff as needed with restraint and handling
• Reviews vaccination records, prepares vaccines, and ensures that vaccinations/boosters are administered according to intake protocol
• Maintains and coordinates repair of medical equipment such as autoclave, pulse oximeter, centrifuge, fluid pump, microscope and dental unit
• Performs routine laboratory procedures and analyses in hematology, microbiology, parasite identification, fecal analysis, urinalysis, and serology
• Performs venipuncture, prepares samples for outside laboratory analysis, arranges pickup, and keeps lab supplies stocked
• Performs and analyzes skin and ear cytologies
• Monitors patients under anesthesia and recovers patient after general anesthesia
• Provides critical care, including administering of fluids, CPR, etc. for sick or injured animals
• Monitors weight, feeding, treatment, etc., for critical care patients
• Provides medical support for fosters including developing medical protocols for fosters, performing routine vaccinations/weigh-ins, maintains foster surgery schedule, advises fosters on medical concerns, treatment, and course of action
• Maintains pharmacy, surgical, controlled substance, anesthesia and laboratory logs
• Prepackages unit dose medications and refills bulk medications
• Labels drugs chemicals, and other pharmaceutical substances and maintains SDS binder
• Obtains and develops radiographs as needed
• Obtains vital signs of animals (e.g. temperature, pulse, respiration, etc.)
• Performs dental prophylactic cleanings at the direction of veterinarian, excluding extractions
• Performs intake vaccinations, exam, etc. for incoming animals
• Performs ear cleanings, medical grooming, dips and nail trims
• Performs enemas if necessary
• Prepares and administers diets, adding supplements as indicated
• Routinely assess the health of each patient housed at Animal Control (or in foster) for illness, infestations, injuries or abnormalities communicating any concerns to veterinarian, and provides basic treatment as needed at direction of veterinarian
• Injects microchips
• Works with veterinarian to maintain complete and accurate medical records, and drafts Medical Disclosures as needed
• Maintains medical inventory, orders medications and supplies while monitoring expiration dates
• Completes adoption packets for animals going up for adoption (rabies certificate, state medical disclosure, medical record, microchip info, booster info)
• Maintains a clean and well-stocked surgery/exam room
• Gives presentations and prepares training and reference materials for staff/volunteer/foster in-services
• Assist veterinarian with coordinating backup veterinary support and assist backup veterinarian as needed
• Transport animals to/from off-site veterinary hospitals as needed for diagnostic, medical or surgical care
• Places appropriate signage when applicable – i.e. NPO, caution, special food, etc.
• Answers animal related questions over the phone or in person
• Follows all medical and surgical protocols

Requirements include the following experience or equivalent combination of training and experience:

• Completion of an Associate's degree in Veterinary Technology
• Three (3) years of experience as a Veterinary Technician with two (2) years in a shelter setting or five (5) years of experience as a Veterinary Technician
• A valid Illinois Driver's license is required
• Obtain certification as a Euthanasia Technician within one (1) year of hire

A pre-employment background check is required.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Heavy Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Use of arm and /or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than for medium work.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment for this position regularly includes working with loud animals, on concrete floors and being exposed to unfavorable odors and one may be subject to animal bites and/or scratches. The employee will be exposed to supplies commonly used in a veterinary setting including but not limited to anesthetic gases, x-ray irradiation, within appropriate OSHA standards. The employee may also be potentially exposed to zoonotic diseases, dangerous or fractious animals, infectious disease, and sharp objects.