Equine Veterinary Technician

Mobile Equine Veterinary Technician

Employer: Empire Equine Veterinary Services, LLC.Location: Serving Tucson, AZ and surrounding areas. Our physical location is in Vail.Job Type: Full-time. See hours below.

About Empire Equine Veterinary Services

Empire Equine Veterinary Services is a growing mobile equine veterinary practice serving horses throughout Southern Arizona. We are dedicated to providing high-quality veterinary care while building strong relationships with our clients and their horses.

We are seeking a reliable, hardworking, and motivated Equine Veterinary Technician to join our team. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys working with horses, being on the road, is flexible and comfortable with the unpredictable, hands-on nature of equine veterinary work, and wants to be part of a fast-paced mobile veterinary practice.

Job Responsibilities

• Assist the Veterinarian with all appointments and medical procedures in the field.
• Keep the Veterinarian safe while examining and treating patients.
• Safely handle, restrain, and work around horses, mules and donkeys of various ages and temperaments.
• Catch horses, mules and donkeys who are both easy or difficult to catch in a calm, patient, and competent manner.
• Always display kindness, patience and sensitivity with the horses, in front of their owners, under direct veterinary supervision.
• Prepare and organize medical supplies and equipment for daily appointments.
• Track inventory of supplies needed for appointments ahead of time.
• Maintain accurate record of controlled drug usage and radiographs performed in a timely manner at the end of every day, as required for AZ state inspections.
• Maintain an organized, and well-stocked veterinary work truck.
• Clean and maintain veterinary instruments and equipment.
• Safely operate and maintain a steam sterilizer to sterilize surgical instruments.
• Help prepare horses and equipment for examinations and treatments including strict sterile preparation technique for joint injections.
• Carefully and respectfully handle and care for veterinary imaging equipment which is of great value to the practice, including x-ray, ultrasound and endoscopy equipment.
• Run bloodwork after appointments at the end of the day and upload test results to our practice management software.
• Communicate professionally with clients.
• Help ensure appointments run efficiently and the veterinarian has the necessary supplies and equipment.
• Be physically willing and capable of jogging horses in-hand for lameness exams, often with no shade or shelter from the elements.
• Be physically willing and capable of holding and restraining horses during all exams and sedated dental procedures.
• Monitor field anesthesia of recumbent horses during field castrations. Recover horses upon standing from these procedures.
• Safely and competently drive a crew-cab Ford F250 pickup truck in rural, urban and interstate highway environments, with respect for property owners preferences and right-of-way. The Technician drives between appointments while the Veterinarian works on medical records and client communication.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Previous equine handling experience and ability to safely handle horses, mules and donkeys and recognize basic equine behaviors.
• Veterinary experience is preferred but not required.
• Equine veterinary work is very different from professional horse training, or other equine care jobs; therefore, the employee must be willing to adapt to the specific unique handling methods of the equine veterinary profession.
• Willingness to follow instruction from the Veterinarian at all times.
• A dependable, punctual and naturally detail-oriented mindset is necessary.
• Strong work ethic and willingness to learn.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and social situational awareness.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team with the Veterinarian, Manager and Patient Services Coordinator.
• Comfortable working outdoors in Arizona weather conditions.
• Ability to lift and carry veterinary supplies and equipment and perform the above described physical responsibilities of the position.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation to/from our location.
• Flexibility to accommodate a changing daily schedule, which sometimes requires unexpectedly working late by one to two hours.
• We are willing to consider applications from both CVT and non-CVT applicants.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is passionate about horses, enjoys working outdoors, is open to constructive feedback, and takes pride in being dependable and managing the details of what it takes to maintain an efficient workflow throughout the day. Because we are a mobile practice, this person must be comfortable traveling between distant properties, adapting to changing schedules, and working in a variety of environments in the company of a very diverse clientele.

We are looking for someone who is eager to learn, takes initiative, pays attention to detail, and understands the importance of providing excellent customer service and patient care. The ideal candidate has spent at least several years handling horses five or more days a week and is comfortable catching horses that are difficult to catch in a calm and quiet manner while the Veterinarian is in discussion with the client. We are able to provide instruction but previous experience is strongly preferred. We hope to hire a Technician who is professional and friendly with our clients, and who shows respectful interest in client conversation when appropriate, and who has social awareness of the emotional challenges faced by clients when their horses are sick or in pain.

Work Location and Hours

This is a mobile, field-based position. However we start and end each work day at our private residence located in the Vail, AZ area. Work takes place at private properties and equine boarding facilities within about a 1.25-hour driving radius from Vail. We strive to work a schedule of “four tens”, working from 8:30am to 6:30pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. We eat lunch/snacks while driving between appointments and do not stop the flow of the day for meal breaks. Given the inherently unpredictable nature of the equine veterinary profession we sometimes require the Technician to have the flexibility to work one to two hours later than expected in the evening. The normal number of hours worked per week typically ranges from 36 to 44 hours depending on the season and caseload. This position does not have any responsibilities on Tuesdays or weekends.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive hourly pay based on experience, please inquire for details.
• Opportunities for hands-on learning and professional career development.
• Experience in a growing equine veterinary practice.
• Supportive, team-oriented work environment.
• Currently we do not offer health insurance. However, if you desire to have employer-based health insurance we may be able to offer this at the next health insurance open-enrollment period (usually Nov. 1st - Jan. 15th) if at least six months have passed since the hiring date.
• We do not offer a 401k or other retirement savings plan.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and a description of your relevant experience via the appropriate job application portal or to our office email: [email protected]

We look forward to meeting you!

Pay: $18.00 - $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 35.0 – 45.0 per week

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Work Location: In person