COUNTY OF ORANGE HEALTH CARE AGENCY

REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES ANIMAL CARE SERVICES

Number: 700.14

SUBJECT: DUTIES OF THE REGISTERED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN Page: 1 Date: 6/9/97

Approved: Jennifer Phillips, Director Revised: 8/20/08 I. PURPOSE

To outline and define the duties and responsibilities of the Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) at OC Animal Care.

II. POLICY RVTs shall perform all duties specified in this document and shall work collaboratively with all OC Animal Care staff to ensure that a high quality of care is provided to all animals impounded.

III. SCOPE Applicable to all Registered Veterinary Technicians.

IV. FORMS

Chameleon Animal Without Treatment Report Chameleon Daily To Do List Chameleon Treatment Record Chameleon Kennel Window Controlled Drug Log -Non-Surgery Euthanasia Solution Log

V. REFERENCES Not applicable.

VI. DEFINITIONS Not applicable.

VII. PROCEDURE A. Morning Routine: Designated duties are assigned at 7:00am and the Euthanasia Technician, for morning

processing, is determined. Duties include:

COUNTY OF ORANGE HEALTH CARE AGENCY

REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES ANIMAL CARE SERVICES

Number: 700.14

SUBJECT: DUTIES OF THE REGISTERED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN Page: 2 Date: 6/9/97

Approved: Jennifer Phillips, Director Revised: 8/20/08

1. Evaluate status of all hospitalized animals. 2. Check black box located in Station III and outside agency file holders for

emergency clinic forms and impound cards. 3. Attend to all animals brought from emergency clinic.

4. Examine and vaccinate newly impounded animals on Animal Without Treatment Report.

5. Observe all animals for any signs of injury or illness noting kennel or cage number.

6. Notify Veterinarian of all abnormalities. 7. Record all observations and treatments in the Chameleon Treatment Screen. 8. Course of treatment will be determined by the Clinic Veterinarian and treatment

will be administered by the RVT and/or Veterinarian, as directed. B. Treatments:

Morning treatments are divided among RVTs (i.e. Dog Receiving / Dog Treatments, Cat Receiving / Cat Treatments).

1. Review and complete all active treatments on the Daily To Do List and note animals’ overall behavior, symptoms and appetite.

2. Animals showing signs of illness within the kennels or treatment rooms should be brought to the attention of the Clinic Veterinarian, if no treatment has been prescribed.

3. Provide Veterinarian prescribed medical care for newly impounded sick or injured animals (example - Radiographs, IV Cath/Fluid, Injection, etc.).

4. Enter all observations and treatments into the Chameleon Treatment Record. 5. Afternoon treatments are done between 4:30 and 5:00. C. Euthanasia 9:00a.m-10:00a.m. (Station III RVT): 1. All RVTs must have a full understanding of processing animals for euthanasia. 2. RVTs will have the right to omit an animal from euthanasia with the

Veterinarian’s approval. 3. Morning processing consists of the programmed euthanasia of dogs, cats,

exotics and wildlife species. RVTs must know the given holding times of these animals as outlined in P&P 600.14, Retention Periods.

D. Medical/Behavioral Euthanasia:

COUNTY OF ORANGE HEALTH CARE AGENCY

REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES ANIMAL CARE SERVICES

Number: 700.14

SUBJECT: DUTIES OF THE REGISTERED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN Page: 3 Date: 6/9/97

Approved: Jennifer Phillips, Director Revised: 8/20/08

No animal, except those who are severely injured, sick and/or aggressive, can be euthanized until the retention period has been met (Food and Agriculture Code 31108).

F. Hold Exams 1:00p.m.- 3:00p.m. (pre-exams performed by the Veterinarian prior to

adoption): 1. FeLV/FIV test - cats/kittens. 2. Vaccinations and flea control. 3. Temperament evaluation. 4. Record all treatments in Chameleon Treatment Screen. G. Adoptions Exams: 1 Examined by a Veterinarian. 2. Vaccinations and flea control. 3. FeLV/FIV test - cats/kittens. 4. Microchip only if altered, otherwise procedure is done by Surgical RVT. 5. Record all treatments in Chameleon Treatment Screen. H. Redemptions: 1. Examined by a RVT. 2. Rabies and Microchip if requested. 3. Record all treatments in Chameleon Treatment Screen. 4. Notify Veterinarian of sick or injured animals. I. Releases From Surgery: 1. Check incision and apply staples as needed. Notify Veterinarian of all

abnormalities and record on Chameleon Treatment Screen. 2. Re-scan Microchip. J. Head Test: 1. Procedure used to perform Rabies testing on animals involved in bites. Refer to

P&P 700.17, Procedure for Rabies FRA Brain Testing. K. Animals Impounded During Public Hours:

COUNTY OF ORANGE HEALTH CARE AGENCY

REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES ANIMAL CARE SERVICES

Number: 700.14

SUBJECT: DUTIES OF THE REGISTERED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN Page: 4 Date: 6/9/97

Approved: Jennifer Phillips, Director Revised: 8/20/08

1. Animals impounded at Station I a. Examine, vaccinate and scan for a microchip. b. Record findings on Chameleon Treatment Screen. c. Notify Veterinarian of abnormalities. 2. Animals impounded by Animal Control Officers (ACO) a. RVTs are required to be present during unloading of ACO units at

Station III. b. Examine, vaccinate and scan for a microchip. c. Obtain animal ID number through Chameleon. d. Record findings on Chameleon Treatment Screen. e. Notify Veterinarian of abnormalities. L. Other Duties: 1. Surgery a. Assist veterinarian in emergency procedures. b. Spay/Neuter Program. 2. Veterinary Service Inventory a. Maintain adequate supplies within the clinic. b. Inventory all supplies once a week or as needed, using the Inventory

Log. c. Maintain inventory within the clinic using the Want Book. d. Collect and properly dispose of all outdated drugs. e. Submit Inventory Log to Clinic Manager. 3. Drug Logs Maintain Inventory on controlled substances, Telazol, Fatal Plus, etc.

reconciling the use of controlled substances on a daily basis. 4. Miscellaneous Re -stock supplies (syringes, tongue depressors, flea control, etc.).

COUNTY OF ORANGE HEALTH CARE AGENCY

REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES ANIMAL CARE SERVICES

Number: 700.14

SUBJECT: DUTIES OF THE REGISTERED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN Page: 5 Date: 6/9/97

Approved: Jennifer Phillips, Director Revised: 8/20/08

b. Sweep, mop and dump trash in clinic as needed. 3. Assist Station III Kennel Attendants as needed. 4. Check the catteries and kennel yard for signs of illness or injury during morning

and afternoon rounds. 5. Attend to the public and staff concerns for impounded animals. 6. Receive incoming calls from citizens with questions and/or concerns about

animal health, post -op care on spay and neutered animals, return policies, etc. 7. Draw vaccines throughout the day. 8. Collect samples and specimens for outside testing (example - Vector Control,

UC Davis, Fish and Game, etc.). 9. Work with Rescue and Volunteer Coordinators for animal placement (example -

fostering, breed specific rescue groups, shelters, etc.). 10. Create Activity for animals being transferred to outside facilities (example -

Wetlands and Wildlife, emergency clinic, Dr. Weldy, etc.).