Lead Spay/Neuter Veterinary Assistant in Atlanta, Georgia at Lifeline Animal Project Inc

Position: Lead Spay/Neuter Technician or Technician Assistant

Department: CAC Clinic

Reports To: Clinic Manager

Location:

Summary:

LifeLine Animal Project is committed to the care and welfare of pets and the people who love them. The values we exhibit as an organization show the strength of our staff, our leadership and our community. We expect all employees to exhibit LifeLine’s core values as we complete daily tasks, provide services to clients and care for our animals.

The Lead Technician/ Technician Assistant plays an important role in clinical and patient-care activities, as well as in client service. Serving as the “glue” that holds the successful team together, the Lead Technician/ Technician Assistant is generally the most accessible to clients and continually builds credibility through client education. The Lead Technician/ Technician Assistant anticipates the needs of the veterinarians, staff, and clients. Responsibilities include continually finding ways to operate and deliver service more efficiently.

Essential Job Functions:

This represents a list of essential job duties. Other duties or special projects may be assigned as needed.

Uphold the standards and values of LifeLine Animal Project:

Save Lives -- Build Community -- Be Exceptional Stewards -- Be Courageous --

Be Compassionate -- Take Responsibility -- Respect, Embrace and Celebrate Diversity

Leadership and Management:

• Direct and assist technicians and keep them on task in their performance of technical and client-education duties.
• Recognize non-routine or unusual situations and communicate them to the Practice Manager, along with recommended solutions in an effort to save lives.
• Partner with administrative support staff to oversee and perform over-the-counter sales of heartworm medication and pain medication for the surgery patients. Maintain technical knowledge of products. Educate clients about products and answer their questions.
• Ensure that client call-backs are completed as directed.
• Explain the nature of and basis for hospital personnel policies and procedures to clients and technical staff when necessary.
• Maintain knowledge of federal and state animal-health laws and regulations, including OSHA. Ensure that the hospital and its employees are in compliance with regulations. Take responsibility to inform the Practice Manager of any regulatory issues.
• Oversee chart audits for completeness and accuracy. Refer charts to the Practice Manager for questions concerning charges and to the appropriate veterinarian for questions concerning treatment.
• Oversee completion of technician and assistant daily checklists and weekly maintenance logs.
• Make recommendations to the Practice Manager concerning personnel matters. Discuss disciplinary actions needed with the Practice Manager and assist with follow-through with compassion.
• Provide input on employee performance.
• Provide fair and impartial treatment to each employee with regard to scheduling, coaching, and discipline.
• Direct on-the-job training of technical staff.
• Courageously resolve informal employee complaints and mediates interpersonal problems amongst the technical staff along with the practice manager.
• Serve as liaison between staff and management.
• Give prompt attention to requests for meetings, repairs, and supplies.

Personal Conduct:

• Adheres to all hospital policies, standards, and procedures, including but not limited to uniforms, grooming, smoking, and personal calls, as stated in the hospital procedures manual.
• Serves as a representative of the hospital, displaying courtesy, tact, consideration, and a positive attitude in all interactions with clients, patients, and other staff members.
• Demonstrates initiative in everyday duties by seeking other work during down times, assisting other employees, and filling in for other employees as needed.
• Adheres to the posted work schedule. Arrives for work promptly and begins work at the start time. Follows hospital policies for reporting lateness or absences.
• Clocks in and out with time clock at the beginning and end of each day and during breaks.
• Exhibit exceptional stewardship by organizing work areas and exercising time-management skills to maximize personal efficiency.
• Prioritizes tasks and handles multiple tasks in a calm, organized manner.

Additional Duties:

• Performs additional duties as required, including Technician duties.
• Continue education by participating in LifeLine’s 40-hour annual training requirement.
• Help strengthen and build a community of animal welfare advocates by supporting and engaging the volunteers who aid the clinic teams.
• Ensure efficient operations and exceptional customer service to all visitors, while respecting, embracing, and celebrating the diversity of individuals.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

• Compassion for animals and the people who love and care for them.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Strong work ethic with the ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate with various departments, personnel, vendors, volunteers and outside agencies.
• Ability to serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a team.
• Ability to perform routine veterinary medical procedures (e.g., collect samples, draw blood, and administer vaccines).
• Ability to maintain clear and accurate records and to charge clients for all products and services rendered.
• Ability to properly restrain patients.
• Knowledge of spelling and meaning of commonly used veterinary medical terminology and procedures.
• Ability to complete assigned tasks in the time allotted without direct supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to show empathy toward clients and treat animals with respect and compassion.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• A commitment to outstanding client service.
• Ability to lift objects weighing 50 pounds without assistance and objects weighing more than 50 pounds with assistance.
• Ability to stay on task and work energetically for the entire shift, sometimes exceeding 10 hours per day.

Education and/or Experience:

Education equivalent to two years of college (pre-veterinary curriculum) or technical school preferred.

At least three years’ recent experience in veterinary practice or medical environment, with increasing responsibilities.

Preferred: Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT).

Preferred: Five years’ recent experience in a veterinary practice, with increasing responsibilities.

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, employee may be exposed to unpleasant kennel smells. May have to handle dogs and cats that are stray, injured, diseased or vicious.