Job Description

Animal Health Technician

The City of Jersey City is seeking an Animal Health Technician to support the Department of Health and Human Services – Division of Animal Care & Control. Under the direction of a veterinarian, the Animal Health Technician cares for and treats sick or injured animals and performs related work as required.

Examples of Duties

Job Duties:

• Renders treatment of sick or injured animals as directed by the veterinarian.
• Administers prescribed medication as directed by the veterinarian.
• Observes the behavior and condition of animals, monitors their clinical symptoms and reports findings to the veterinarian.
• Performs preliminary examinations of animals to determine symptoms of disease or injury, and reports findings to the veterinarian.
• Operates x-ray equipment.
• Restrains animals during exams or procedures.
• Administers emergency first aid, such as emergency resuscitation or other life saving procedures.
• Collects, prepares, and labels samples for laboratory testing, culture, or microscopic examination.
• Performs laboratory tests to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems.
• Prepares and administers medications, vaccines, serums, or other treatment, as prescribed by the veterinarian.
• Prepares the operating area for surgical procedures.
• Assists the veterinarian in the preparation of animals for surgical procedures.
• Assists the veterinarian during surgical procedures by sterilizing instruments, securing supplies, providing requested surgical instruments, and disinfecting and cleaning operating areas, and equipment.
• Cares for and monitors the condition of animals recovering from surgery.
• May administer anesthesia, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to the anesthetics.
• Provides assistance with animal euthanasia and the authorized disposal of remains.
• Performs dental work, such as cleaning, polishing, or extracting teeth.
• Dresses wounds and applies splints or other protective devices.
• Cleans and disinfects kennels, animal holding areas, surgery suites, examination rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
• Schedules appointments and procedures.
• Provides information regarding issues such as animal health care, behavior problems, or nutrition.
• Maintains controlled drug inventory and related log books.
• Establishes and maintains essential records and files.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Education: Satisfactory completion of sixty (60) college credits, including eighteen (18) credit hours in veterinary science/technology, animal science technology, zoology, biology, animal husbandry or related fields, at an accredited college or university. Required Experience: At least one (1) year of experience in a veterinary office, animal hospital or animal shelter performing vaccinations, diagnostic tests, euthanasia, and/or various other medical treatment on animals or in work involving animal nutrition, taxonomy, animal behavior, parasitology or bacteriology. Preferred Experience & Licenses:

• Bilingual preferred.
• Possession of a valid NJ driver's license.

Supplemental Information

This is a Civil Service Job, and you must eventually pass and qualify for the applicable Civil Service title (please see the job description here: The City of Jersey City is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations relating to anti-discrimination and anti-harassment. To apply for this job with the City of Jersey City, please fill out our Employment Application at Please note that this role is subject to the residency requirements set forth by the NJ First Act.

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