Location : Hillsborough NC 27278, NC
Job Type: Internal
Job Number: 82-2023-1153
Department: Animal Services
Opening Date: 06/05/2023
Closing Date: 6/12/2023 11:59 PM Eastern
General Description
The Orange County Animal Services Department has an opening for a Veterinary Health Care Technician (VHCT). The work involves performing physical and behavioral examination and medical procedures of animals admitted to, and adopted from, the animal shelter. Work is performed under the general supervision of a Unit Supervisor with some leeway to exercise independent judgment within the framework of applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures in the performance of duties, both in terms of planning and accomplishing work, and in making decisions regarding needs and requests. Supervision or leading others may be a responsibility of this class depending on the assignment. Does related work as required.
Salary commensurate with education and experience.
* This is a safety sensitive position and participation in the Drug and Alcohol Program is required. Background Check is required.
Because this posting is for current Orange County Permanent Employees Only the hiring salary for this posting will be based on current salary of qualified internal candidate chosen for this position and in accordance with the Orange County Personnel Ordinance. Classification Salary Range $40,369 – $70,197
Examples of Essential Functions
Examples of Essential Functions:Following are examples of typical work activities and responsibilities. The incumbent may be responsible for performing other related duties and responsibilities as required or assigned. A position may not include all the work examples given, nor does the list include all that may be assigned.
Performs physical and behavioral examination of animals, diagnostic testing and test result interpretation.
Monitors and evaluates individual animal health, as well as overall herd health.
Coordinates with, and assists veterinarians in scheduling, developing, and administering treatment to animals.
Performs daily care of animals in isolation areas including medical treatment, observation, and sanitation; performs basic animal husbandry duties.
Performs duties to assist veterinarians with sterilization surgeries on shelter animals including administering medication, scheduling surgeries, prepping animals for surgery, anesthetizing, intubation and monitoring anesthetized animals, performing post-op and recovery, and cleaning and setting up the surgery suite.
Performs humane euthanasia by injection.
Administers vaccinations, medications and treatments.
Maintains scheduled drug logs and electronic medical records.
Cleans and maintains surgical instruments, equipment and surgical suite.
Performs duties for digital photo identification of animals.
Provides information and addresses questions or concerns from citizens, potential animal owners, volunteers, and other staff.
Assists in maintaining medical supply inventory and orders.
Assists with rescue placement of animals and foster program.
Adheres to all safety regulations.
Uses computer applications or other automated systems such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software in performing work assignments.
Performs other duties as required
Typical Qualifications
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Thorough, demonstrated knowledge of the principles and practices of general animal care.
Thorough knowledge of vaccinations required and proper techniques.
Good knowledge of and ability to perform physical exams of animals.
Good knowledge of animal disease diagnosis and management techniques including symptoms, treatment alternatives, and drug properties and interactions.
Good knowledge, and ability to perform specific treatments/procedures (i.e. wound management and fluid replacement.)
Good knowledge of State and County laws, ordinances and regulations regarding animal services, and department policies and procedures.
Good knowledge of county and department safety rules and regulations.
Good knowledge of toxic waste disposal requirements.
Skill in being customer-focused, adept at problem solving and working collaboratively with others.
Skill in making precise and coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to provide vaccinations, medications or controlled substances.
Ability to demonstrate sound judgment, integrity, resourcefulness, accuracy, thoroughness and the physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position, while maintaining an ethical standard of care.
Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions, and to work independently in the performance of regular duties.
Ability to perform procedures such as venipuncture, intubation, catheter placement, and aseptic surgical patient preparation.
Ability to effectively operate and use a variety of medical and office equipment such as microscope, stethoscope, gas anesthesia machines, syringes, catheters, otoscope, ophthalmoscope, centrifuge, pulse oximeter etc.
Ability to deal with aggressive animals in a calm, effective manner.
Ability to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations.
Ability to perform math and calculate drug dosages.
Ability to perform euthanasia by injection.
Ability to keep accurate and detailed records, and complete routine paperwork evaluation after completing a task.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating instructions, government regulations and procedures manuals.
Ability to effectively use computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software to maintain records and prepare reports.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduation from a regionally accredited or registered college or university with an Associate’s degree in Veterinary Medical Technology or closely related field AND three (3) years of veterinary experience OR
An equivalent combination of training and experience as indicated above.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Possession of or ability to obtain certification as a Certified Euthanasia Technician within the first six (6) months of employment.
Possession of or ability to obtain certification as a Certified Rabies Vaccinator at the earliest class offering for such certification and no later than one (1) year of hire with Orange County.
Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
All offers of employment are conditioned upon successful clearance of a background check and pre-employment drug testing. Employment cannot commence until the employee has been cleared.
Supplemental Information
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND POSSIBLE HAZARDS
Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational support functions of standing, walking, stooping, climbing, typing, talking, sitting, bending, kneeling, grasping, hearing, handling, pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying, reaching and repetitive motions of the hands and wrists.
Must be able to perform medium work up to 100 pounds of force to move objects up to 50 feet.
Must be able to be exposed to controlled substances, chemicals, dangerous or diseased animals, infectious diseases, bloodborne pathogens and body fluids.
Must possess the visual acuity to operate a computer terminal, assess situations, administer injections, determine the dispositions of animals, and perform other tasks related to the position.
Orange County is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer
Orange County provides a competitive benefits package for permanent full-time and permanent part-time employees that includes:
- Participation in the North Carolina State Retirement System;
- Orange County contributes 12.10% of your base salary per pay period and 13.10% for LEO.
- Health Insurance (Medical)
- Orange County pays 100% of premiums for employee only coverage health insurance.
- Orange County pays a portion of premiums for dependent(s) coverage health insurance.
- Orange County pays 100% of premiums for employee only coverage for dental insurance.
- Orange County pays a portion of premiums for dependent(s) coverage for dental insurance.
- Orange County offers vision insurance for employee and dependent coverage with premiums rates between $5-$15 bi-weekly.
- Orange County pays for an employee life insurance policy based on employees’ salary up to $50,000.
- Optional Life Insurance for employee and dependent life insurance policy.
- Orange County pays for an employee short term disability policy that provides income protection up to 11 weeks with a weekly benefit of 70% of your weekly salary.
- Orange County contributes $27.50 per pay period ($715 annually) for supplemental retirement and you will have the option to select between which investment firm you would like to have these funds contributed to.
- Orange County contributes up to an additional $63 ($1512 annually) for voluntary supplemental retirement and you will have the option to select between which investment firm you would like to have these funds contributed to.
- 12 Paid Holidays
- Anniversary Leave ( 8 hours of leave on your anniversary each year)
- Annual Leave (based on service years and a 40-hour work schedule, pro-rated for permanent part time employees)
- 0-2 Years of Service = 125.84 hours/year
- 2-5 Years of Service = 145.08 hours/year
- 5-10 Years of Service = 173.68 hours/year
- 10-15 Years of Service = 202.80 hours/year
- 15-20 Years of Service = 231.40 hours/year
- 20+ Years of Service = 260.52 hours/year
- 96.2 hours/year
01
Orange County is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is a program that electronically confirms an employee’s eligibility to work in the United States after completion of the Employment Eligibility Verification Form (Form I-9). I understand, that if hired, my employment eligibility will be verified through E-Verify.
- Yes
02
I understand that resumes are welcomed but do not substitute for the work experience section of this application and failure to complete the work experience section will result in an incomplete application, which will not be considered for eligibility. Did you fully complete the work experience section of this application?
- Yes
- No
03
Are you an Orange County Local Government employee?
- Yes, I am a Permanent Employee that has passed the Probationary Period
- Yes, I am an Employee but I have not passed the Probationary Period
- Yes, I am a Temporary Employee
- No, I am not an Employee
04
Do you have or are you able to obtain a driver’s license valid in the State of North Carolina?
- Yes
- No
05
What is the highest level of education you have completed?
- GED
- High School Diploma
- Associate’s Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree
- Other Degree
06
Are you a Certified Euthanasia Technician?
- Yes
- No
07
Are you a Certified Rabies Vaccinator?
- Yes
- No
08
Are you a Registered Veterinary Technician?
- Yes
- No
09
List any other certifications you have related to this position. If none, indicate N/A.
10
Please indicate your years of professional experience as a veterinary technician or similar position in the field of veterinary medicine.
- None
- Less than 3 years
- 3 or more years
11
Please describe, in detail, the technical skills you are experienced performing. If none, indicate n/a.
12
On a scale of 0 – 5, how would you rate your emotional ability to handle euthanasia of pets in a shelter setting? (0 – unable to work in a setting where animals are euthanized, 5 – strong ability to handle based on experience).
- 0
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
13
This position requires working a rotational schedule, which will include weekend shifts. The position may also require working some evenings and holidays. Are you available to work this rotational schedule?
- Yes
- No
Required Question