Head RVT

The Head Registered Veterinary Technician is the DVM’s primary medical support. They continue to assist the doctor throughout the examination, diagnosis, and treatment phases. They aid the veterinarians in achieving greater efficiency by relieving them of technical work and administrative detail. They have a very significant role in communicating with and educating clients about their pets, and providing on-going care for patients (under the direction of a DVM). The Head RVT is the technical support staff’s leader and sets an example for all staff with regards to attitude and work ethic, communication, corrections, and patient advocacy and care.

POSITION OVERVIEW

EDUCATION AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma or equivalent

• Current RVT license

• Previous on-the-job training required

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum two years experience as a registered veterinary technician.

• Minimum one year experience in a leadership role in a veterinary hospital.

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of 18 years old.

• Genuinely enjoys working with animals and can deal with them even when they are stressed, ill or in pain.

• Can stay calm and efficient during a medical crisis.

• Is well-spoken and approaches his/her job duties in a mature manner.

• Is experienced in the teamwork approach and works well with all levels of hospital team members.

• Has excellent client communication skills.

Physical Effort: Work requires lifting and carrying animals (will be assisted by other staff members in lifting animals over 40 lbs).  Walks or stands for extended periods of time; frequently works in a bent position.

Working conditions:  May be exposed to unpleasant odors, noises and animal feces. May be exposed to bites, scratches, and contagious diseases.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Technical Skills & Expectations

• Conducts oneself in a confident and professional manner even when stressed and/or focused on individual tasks.

• Keeps legible and accurate medical records in accordance with hospital policy.

• Prepares and maintains the exam rooms and treatment areas.

• Performs physical assessments; records observations legibly in files or computer and initials after each entry regarding client communications or patient treatment they performed.

• Effectively restrains pets even when large or difficult.

• Understands all common vaccinations and vaccination protocols and can explain to clients.

• Understands the importance of a clean and orderly facility, does not hesitate to clean or organize as part of a normal job duty.

• Maintains positive, cooperative relationships with other employees.

• Handles client’s medical questions with confidence and directs to veterinarians when appropriate.

• Prepares estimates for procedures and discusses financial commitments with clients supporting hospital financial policies.

• Explains necessary follow up and home care instructions.

• Assists the veterinarian in medical, surgical, and dental procedures; prepares patients for surgery; induces anesthesia and performs dental extractions under the direction of a veterinarian, maintains anesthesia; monitors patients during surgery and recovery; administers fluids; applies splints and bandages.

• Properly cares for all surgical materials; keeps the operating room properly stocked and prepared for surgery.

• Performs emergency procedures such as control of bleeding, resuscitation with oxygen, opening airways, and external cardiac massage.

• Performs clinical procedures.

• Maintains file of lab test results and ensures that test results are recorded in patient records.

• Effectively positions patients for and takes radiographs.

• Follows GLVH protocol for all appointments 

• Ensure that all charges for procedures or treatments performed are charged for

• Communicate effectively with the CSR team

• Knows common disease states and can alert veterinarians when symptoms change or when concerns arise with hospitalized patients

• Prepares patients for ultrasound procedures.

• Admit patients following hospital policy and doctors written orders.

• Perform discharge appointments for routine surgical or dental cases based on the veterinarian’s orders, ensuring that patients are well groomed and in a medically appropriate state.

• Proficient with basic admin/reception skills (to support reception staff as needed): checking in, checking out, filling prescriptions, multi-line phone handling, appointment booking.

Leadership & Training

• Can discern the difference between minor protocol errors and major infractions by RVTs, Veterinary Assistants, and Kennel Assistants.

• Comfortable in asking for guidance in handling problems.

• Works with the management team, with open communication to address concerns with each other and not just the team members you supervise.

• Acts as support for the VA Leads and works in conjunction with the Remote Technician Team

• Leads from a place of curiosity, not judgement when interacting with all team members, including management

• Embodies the values of GLVH and reflects them in their actions

• Advocates for the team

• Praises publicly and provides feedback privately in a constructive and empathetic way

• Make corrections for protocol errors by RVTs, Technician Assistants, Veterinary Assistants, and Kennel Assistants.

• Coaches and guides the treatment team to make decisions that align with GLVH values and policies from a holistic viewpoint

• Reports on team problems and positives to Hospital Administrator and Practice Manager once weekly, and documents these according to protocol

• Reports urgent staff-related concerns and/or incidents to the Hospital Administrator and/or Practice Manager immediately (following documentation protocol). 

• Sets an example for other staff by way of interaction with coworkers and clients.

• Must teach staff impartially, effectively, and with compassion.

• Effective training of new Technical Staff members following the phase training protocol outlined and approved by the Practice Owners and management team, ensuring staff progress.

• Creates a draft schedule the treatment team by the second week of the current month for the hospital  administrator to publish to Staff on monthly basis. 

• Participates in Management Round-Robin to coordinate scheduling coverage in the event of a call-out or absent employee within guidelines established by Hospital Administrator and Practice Manager to minimize Overtime and comply with Labor Laws.

• Leads the technical team and serves as a liaison for communication with the Practice Owners.

• Participate in Technical staff performance evaluations according to protocol.

• Contributes to staff development by acting as a resource for troubleshooting, improving roles, and execution of duties.

• Create and maintain hospital supply inventory levels, delegate inventory duties as appropriate. Ensures that orders are placed in a timely manner, to provide adequate stock for clinic use, while avoiding excessive financial liability.

• Oversee all technical staff-client communication and ensure success and positive client and patient experience.

• Handle technical staff observational interviews or delegate appropriately.

• Attend Management meetings regularly.

• Participates in OSHA staff training, enforcement, and safety meetings.

Personal Conduct/Attitude/Teamwork

• Maintain positive, cooperative relationships with other employees.

• Sets an example for all staff by wearing their name tag every day, and keeping appearance and grooming standards outlined in the employee handbook.

• Displays tact and respect with team members even when busy or hectic.

• Feels and expresses a genuine liking for animals and their owners and for working in an animal care field.

• Handles patients with respect and in a manner that minimizes stress and promotes as positive a patient’s experience as possible.

• Excited by change and contributing to the growth of the practice.

• Constantly seeks to come up with come up with better ways to do things and build on these ideas with the entire team.

Client Communication

• Conducts oneself in a confident and professional manner with clients, even when situations are stressful or when one is focused on individual tasks.

• Deals intelligibly, pleasantly, and efficiently with clients, often doing several things at one time.

• Greetings clients with a smile, poise and natural effort.

• Outlines costs and fees in a positive light while supporting hospital payment policies.

• Easily remembers clients and patients names and uses them.

Facility Maintenance

• Maintains a professional/welcoming appearance of the treatment area through cleaning and organization.

• Reports any repairs needed as soon as possible, following hospital protocol.

• Ensures that all technical staff are fully trained and follow the proper disinfection protocol for all areas of the hospital.

• Maintains the proper service for all treatment equipment

Record keeping

• Accurately maintains medical records.

• Initials every entry in the record.

• Ensures that all technical staff follow appropriate record keeping protocol in compliance with GLVH and VMB standards, and provides coaching and additional training for staff as needed. 

Organization/Time Management

• Works almost constantly in the presence of other staff members and clients.

• Understands and carries out oral and written directions.

• Schedules appropriate training for technical staff as needed.

Other

• Performs other duties as assigned.