JOB SUMMARY

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%

1. Establishes and maintains working relationships and communicates effectively with the Houston Methodist Academic Institute (HMAI) animal care, veterinary and research teams.

SERVICE - 20%

1. 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)
2. 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)
3. Cleans, prepares, packs, and sterilizes surgical instruments/equipment. (EF)

QUALITY/SAFETY - 20%

1. 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)
2. Ensures the CMP facility remains prepared for routine regulatory inspections and meets occupational health and safety standards. (EF)
3. 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)
4. Maintains both written and electronic animal treatment records. (EF)

FINANCE - 20%

1. Identifies and communicates cost saving initiatives within the department and is self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks.
2. Enters billing charges for services provided by CMP Veterinary Team and documents the use and transfer of controlled substances.

GROWTH/INNOVATION - 20%

1. Generates and communicates new ideas and suggestions that improve quality and service for a variety of animal care, technical procedures and facility support practices.
2. 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%

General                                    Yes/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:____________________________­­­

Equipment Used      Yes/No

Keyboard                  Yes

Computer                 Yes

Telephone                 Yes

TV Monitor                Yes

Mechanical Equip.     Yes

Mobile Equip.

- Non Motorized        Yes

- Motorized                Yes

Physical Activities   Yes/No                     Frequency

Sitting                       Yes                        Occasionally < 33%           

Standing                   Yes                        Constantly > 66%     

Twisting                    Yes                        Occasionally < 33%   

Bending                   Yes                        Frequently 33% - 66%     

Stooping                  Yes                        Frequently 33% - 66%     

Squatting                Yes                        Frequently 33% - 66%     

Kneeling                  Yes                        Frequently 33% - 66%     

Pushing/Pulling        Yes                        Occasionally < 33%         

Strength

Heaviest weight lifted 50lbs.

Heaviest weight push/pulled 50lbs.

Distance pushed/pulled 300ft.

Lifting

Does the job require lifting weight? Yes

Weight                Distance                   Frequency

01 - 10 lbs.          Waist to Shoulder      Constantly > 66%     

10 - 25 lbs.         Waist to Shoulder      Frequently 33% - 66%     

25 - 50 lbs.         Waist to Shoulder      Occasionally < 33%     

over 50 lbs.         N/A                           N/A     

Mobility               Yes/No                      Frequency       

Walk                   Yes                           Constantly > 66%     

Run                     Yes                           Occasionally < 33%     

Climb                                                  

- Stairs                Yes                           Occasionally < 33%     

- Ladders             Yes                           Occasionally < 33%     

- Inclines             Yes                           Occasionally < 33%     

- Objects/Equip.  Yes                           Occasionally < 33%     

Crawl   No        N/A 

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Associates Degree

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• 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.

About Houston Methodist Academic Institute

Houston Methodist Hospital is the flagship quaternary care hospital of Houston Methodist academic medical center.

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