Job Specification
ANIMAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN
DEFINITION:
Under the direction of a Veterinarian, cares for and treats sick or
injured animals; performs related work as required.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Renders treatment of sick or injured animals as directed by the
Veterinarian.
Administers prescribed medication as directed by the veterinarian.
Observes the behavior and condition of animals, monitors their
clinical symptoms and reports findings to the veterinarian.
Performs preliminary examinations of animals to determine
symptoms of disease or injury, and reports findings to the
Veterinarian.
Operates x-ray equipment.
Restrains animals during exams or procedures.
Administers emergency first aid, such as emergency resuscitation
or other life saving procedures.
Collects, prepares, and labels samples for laboratory testing,
culture, or microscopic examination
Performs laboratory tests to assist in the diagnosis and treatment
of animal health problems.
Prepares and administers medications, vaccines, serums, or
other treatment, as prescribed by the veterinarian.
Prepares the operating area for surgical procedures.
Assists the veterinarian in the preparation of animals for surgical
procedures.
Assists the Veterinarian during surgical procedures by sterilizing
instruments, securing supplies, providing requested surgical
instruments, and disinfecting and cleaning operating areas, and
equipment.
Cares for and monitors the condition of animals recovering from
surgery.
May administer anesthesia, under the direction of a veterinarian,
and monitor animals' responses to the anesthetics.
Provides assistance with animal euthanasia and the authorized
disposal of remains.
Performs dental work, such as cleaning, polishing, or extracting
teeth.
Dresses wounds and applies splints or other protective devices.
Cleans and disinfects kennels, animal holding areas, surgery
suites, examination rooms, or animal loading or unloading
facilities to control the spread of disease.
Schedules appointments and procedures.
Provides information regarding issues such as animal health
care, behavior problems, or nutrition.
Maintains controlled drug inventory and related log books.
Establishes and maintains essential records and files.
Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic
and/or manual recording and information systems used by
the agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
EDUCATION:
Satisfactory completion of sixty (60) college credits, including
eighteen (18) credit hours in veterinary science/technology,
animal science technology, zoology, biology, animal, husbandry
or related fields, at an accredited college or university.
NOTE: Applicants who possess eighteen (18) credits hours
in veterinary sciences/technology, animal science technology,
zoology, biology, animal husbandry or related fields but who
do not meet the remaining educational requirement may
substitute one (1) additional year of experience as described
below for each thirty (30) credit hours they are lacking.
EXPERIENCE:
One (1) year of experience in a veterinary office, animal hospital
or animal shelter performing vaccinations, diagnostic tests,
euthanasia, and/or various other medical treatment on animals
or in work involving animal nutrition, taxonomy, animal behavior,
parasitology or bacteriology.
NOTE: A passing score on the Veterinary Technician National
Exam (VTNE) administered by the American Association of
Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) may be substituted for the
required education and experience.
LICENSE:
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid
in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than
employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties
of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of animal care and handling.
Knowledge of the principals of normal and abnormal animal life
processes.
Ability to work closely with animals and assist in their care and
treatment.
Ability to assist veterinarians in diagnostic, medical, and surgical
procedures by preparing medications and applying dressings.
Ability to gather and record information regarding cases.
Ability to prepare animals for examination and ready instruments
for use.
Ability to collect various specimens, and perform standardized
laboratory tests.
Ability to disinfect cages and keep area in a sanitary condition.
Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual
recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or
related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English
sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign
Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms
of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as
they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without
reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be
made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such
persons may not be eligible.
This job specification is applicable to the following title code: | | Job
Spec
Code | Variant | State,
Local or
Common | Class of
Service | Work
Week | State
Class
Code | Local
Class
Code | Salary
Range | Note | | 05341 | | L | C | | N/A | 15 | | - |
This job specification is for local government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.
1/4/2018 |
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