Licensed Veterinary Technician ( LVT )

BetterPet Urgent Care is looking for a Full time  LVT! Located in Mechanicsville, BetterPet is the only independent, locally owned urgent care facility in the Richmond area. We value cultivating a positive culture of empowerment and growth, practicing excellent medicine, and providing for our community.

Role Requirements:

• Education: Associate’s degree in veterinary technology; must possess a valid license to practice as a veterinary technician in the state of Virginia.
• Experience: 1-2 years of experience as a veterinary technician, preference given to emergency care experience.
• Physical Requirements: Able to routinely lift up to 50lbs, restrain animals up to 200lbs, able to bend/kneel, stoop, and be on your feet for 8 to 10 hours at a time. Able to work around animals, animal waste, biohazard materials, and various chemicals.

Job Description:

The role of a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) is to perform acts relating to the treatment or the maintenance of the health of an animal under the immediate and direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian. The LVT in this role will be responsible for:

• Providing exceptional urgent veterinary care by triaging and evaluating patients and managing the caseload of incoming patients in conjunction with the veterinarian on duty.
• Carrying out treatment plans by assembling required supplies and instruments, directly assisting the veterinarian with medical procedures, and maintaining proper medical records.
• Communicating professionally with clients by explaining medical procedures, reviewing financial estimates and discharge instructions, educating clients on animal care or medical procedures, and responding to client inquiries, directing to the veterinarian when appropriate.
• Supporting general operations of the clinic through leadership; providing guidance and support to  the veterinary team maintaining the highest standards of emergency veterinary care.

Responsibilities include:

• Assist the veterinarian in performing physical exams through safe and effective handling and restraint. Experience using fear-reduction techniques a plus.
• Perform patient assessments including auscultation of heart and lung sounds, obtaining vitals, determining normal vs. abnormal vitals, communicating patient status with the DVM.
• Knowledge of contagious and zoonotic diseases, isolation protocols, and ability to implement them when necessary.
• Laboratory procedures such as: sample collection and processing (knowledge of Idexx in-house laboratory equipment a plus), hematology, cytology, urinalyses, and microbiology.
• Diagnostic imaging such as radiology and ultrasound.
• Nursing skills including: administering medications (PO, IV, SQ, IM), venipuncture, IV catheter placement and maintenance, wound and trauma care, applying and maintaining bandages/splints, administration and maintenance of fluid therapy, oxygen therapy, emergency aid, critical care, and CPR.
• Knowledge of veterinary pharmacology with strong math skills to calculate drug dosages and fluid rates.

• Strong knowledge of sedation and anesthesia drug protocols; assessing anesthetic risk, set-up and operation of anesthesia machines, anesthetic induction, intubation, and vitals monitoring, anesthesia machine maintenance.
• Preparation of patients for surgery, setting up the OR, sterile preparation of the surgical site, administration of local/regional anesthesia, maintenance of sterile conditions, keeping thorough surgery logs/anesthesia sheets, post-surgical clean-up, wrapping and sterilizing instruments, and storing sterile supplies.

• Accurately recording all pertinent medical, client, and case related information in the patient record with appropriate grammar and medical terminology. Thoroughly record client conversations including all recommendations, declined recommendations or treatments. Be proficient in navigating computers and veterinary software.

• Maintain a safe, secure, healthy, and humane environment by following proper sanitation and disinfection protocols of kennels, animal holding areas, examination and operating rooms, and animal loading/unloading areas to control the spread of disease.

Qualifications, Skills, and Expectations:

• Strong, proactive, professional communication skills.
• Strong computer skills and the ability to learn new computer systems.
• Ability to multi-task, take and follow directions, adapt to and accommodate changing demands.
• Strong work ethic, team-oriented mindset.
• Commitment to cultivating a positive work environment that values supporting team members and respecting the thoughts and work of others.
• Excellent time management and prioritization skills.
• Complex problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Focus on providing excellent client service and an uncompromising commitment to the wellbeing of patients.