At Houston Methodist, the Veterinary Technician I position is responsible for delivering exceptional animal care to the research animals at Houston Methodist Academic Institute (HMAI) Comparative Medicine Program (CMP) under the direction of the Comparative Medicine Veterinary Technician Supervisor. This includes participating in all aspects of the health and welfare of laboratory animals, including daily monitoring and treatment, maintaining accurate health records, health surveillance, and providing requested technical services which includes inducing and monitoring anesthesia for multiple species.
PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.
HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS
Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
INTEGRITY:We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
COMPASSION:We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
ACCOUNTABILITY:We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
RESPECT:We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
EXCELLENCE:We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.
Focuses on patient/customer safety
Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards
Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)
Intentionally rounds with patients/customers to ensure their needs are being met
Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job
Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles
Actively supports the organization vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values
PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Job responsibilities labeled EF capture those duties that are essential functions of the job.
PEOPLE -20%
Establishes and maintains working relationships and communicates effectively with the Houston Methodist Academic Institute (HMAI) animal care, veterinary and research teams.
SERVICE -20%
Performs veterinary procedures such as, but not limited to, blood collection, TB test placement and reading, parenteral and oral administration of materials, animal restraint, anesthesia, and tissue collection. (EF)
Provides pre, peri and post-operative care including, but not limited to shaving and skin preparation, animal transport, administration of anesthesia and analgesia, intubation, bandaging, or any other treatment as directed by the veterinarian. (EF)
Cleans, prepares, packs, and sterilizes surgical instruments/equipment. (EF)
QUALITY/SAFETY -20%
Ensures that animal records are maintained in conformance with institutional policies and federal regulations including the Animal Welfare Act, Good Laboratory Practices and the standards required by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care for (EF)
Ensures the CMP facility remains prepared for routine regulatory inspections and meets occupational health and safety standards. (EF)
Identifies and clearly communicates all health problems to veterinarians in oral or written form and must understand verbal and written directions of the veterinarians and/or supervisor/manager. (EF)
Maintains both written and electronic animal treatment records. (EF)
FINANCE -20%
Identifies and communicates cost saving initiatives within the department and is self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks.
Enters billing charges for services provided by CMP Veterinary Team and documents the use and transfer of controlled substances.
GROWTH/INNOVATION -20%
Generates and communicates new ideas and suggestions that improve quality and service for a variety of animal care, technical procedures and facility support practices.
Embraces opportunities to acquire additional knowledge regarding guidelines and regulations that affect CMP’s animal research facility.
This job description is not intended to be all inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.
SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Work Attire Yes/No
Uniform No
Scrubs Yes
Business professional No
Other (dept approved) No
On-Call* No
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Event, etc) regardless of selection above
Travel**
May require travel within No
Houston Metropolitan area
May require travel outside No
of Houston Metropolitan area
**Travel specifications may vary by department.
Please note any other special considerations to this job: __________________________
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND JOB CONDITIONS
Please indicate the requirements of the job by selecting the appropriate response.
Work Environment
Time Spent Inside: 100%
Time Spent Outside: 0%
GeneralYes/No
Vision
- General Yes
- Depth Perception Yes
- Color Perception Yes
Smelling Yes
Hearing/Listening Yes
Speaking Clearly
- Simple Yes
- Complex Yes
- English Yes
- Foreign Language No
Touching
- Hand Yes
- Finger Yes
- Dexterity Yes
- Sensitivity (Heat, texture, etc.) Yes
Environmental Conditions
Extreme Cold No
Extreme Heat No
Noise Yes
Dust Yes
Fumes/Odors Yes
Confined Spaces No
High Places No
Remote or Isolated Areas Yes
Physical Hazards including
Magnetic and Radiation Yes
Hazardous Chemicals Yes
Infectious Diseases/
Bloodborne Pathogens Yes
Mechanical Equipment Yes
Electronic Equipment Yes
Pressurized Equipment Yes
Note any special equipment used in this job requiring physical demand or special skill:____________________________
One year of animal handling and veterinary technician experience
CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED
None
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED
Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
Ability to use a variety of technical machinery including developing x-rays, cleaning equipment and entering essential research data into computers and databases.