Veterinary Specialists of Birmingham is seeking an additional skilled full-time emergency veterinarian (part-time positions also available) to join our team.

We are a rapidly expanding multi-specialty hospital located in central Alabama. We have a wide referral base that covers multiple states.

Our current services and specialties include emergency, surgery, internal medicine and ophthalmology. Our emergency team is comprised of a group of dedicated, experienced doctors and a highly trained support staff.

Our new 12,000 sq ft (with room to expand) state of the art hospital is fully equipped with 9 exam rooms, 3 fully stocked surgery suites, a central ICU, paperless record keeping (ezyVet EMR and Smartflow Sheet whiteboard), CT, digital radiography, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, flexible and rigid endoscopy, laparoscopy/arthroscopy, multiple full in-house IDEXX laboratory, coag and thromboelastography (TEG), oxygen generators, hospital-wide backup electrical generators, multi-parameter monitors, Ligasure, full complement of stapling devices, central oxygen and nitrogen supply, central suction and anesthesia evac, doppler BP, ventilator, pleura-vac, pneumatic and battery powered surgical equipment and a pair of Snyder oxygen cages.

VSB is seeking a candidate who is a team player with a strong work ethic, excellent communication skills and someone who is willing to contribute to the growth and success of our hospital. We offer a great compensation package including a competitive salary with production bonus, a supportive work environment, a 401K retirement plan with safe harbor and profit share and a variety of other benefits.

Our hospital’s philosophy is to provide excellent patient care through integrity, compassion, and commitment to our patients, clients, and our referring veterinary community. We are dedicated to a team approach through collaboration and continued education.

Learn more at vsbham.com.

We look forward to meeting you, introducing you to our team and giving you a tour of our hospital. Come see what our great city and state have to offer. Birmingham is 2 ½ hours from Atlanta and 4 hours from the beach.

Visit birminghamal.org and alabama.travel for more information.

Come join our team!

Please contact by phone or email Tony Ballagas, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA or Pat Tate, Hospital Administrator at (205) 967-9107.

Veterinary Specialists of Birmingham is seeking an additional board-certified small animal surgeon or surgical residency-trained clinician to join our team.

We are a rapidly expanding multi-specialty hospital located in central Alabama. We have a wide referral base that covers multiple states.

Our current services and specialties include emergency, surgery, internal medicine and ophthalmology. Our surgical team is comprised of a group of dedicated, experienced doctors and a highly trained support staff.

Our new 12,000 sq ft (with room to expand) state-of-the-art hospital is fully equipped with 9 exam rooms, 3 fully stocked surgery suites, a central ICU, paperless record keeping (ezyVet EMR and Smartflow Sheet whiteboard), CT, digital radiography, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, flexible and rigid endoscopy, laparoscopy/arthroscopy, multiple full in-house IDEXX laboratory, coag and thromboelastography (TEG), oxygen generators, hospital-wide backup electrical generators, multi-parameter monitors, Ligasure, full complement of stapling devices, central oxygen and nitrogen, central suction and anesthesia evac, doppler BP, ventilator, pleura-vac, pneumatic and battery powered surgical equipment and a pair of Snyder oxygen cages.

VSB is seeking a candidate who is a team player with a strong work ethic, excellent communication skills and someone who is willing to contribute to the growth and success of our hospital. We offer a great compensation package including a competitive salary with production bonus, a supportive work environment, a 401K retirement plan with safe harbor and profit share and a variety of other benefits. VSB currently employs 2 boarded surgeons and one board-eligible surgeon.

Our hospital’s philosophy is to provide excellent patient care through integrity, compassion, and commitment to our patients, clients and our referring veterinary community. We are dedicated to a team approach through collaboration and continued education.

Learn more at vsbham.com.

We look forward to meeting you, introducing you to our team and giving you a tour of our hospital. Come see what our great city and state have to offer. Birmingham is 2 ½ hours from Atlanta and 4 hours from the beach.

Visit birminghamal.org and alabama.travel for more information.

Come join our team!

Please contact by phone or email Tony Ballagas, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA or Pat Tate, Hospital Administrator at (205) 967-9107.

Classification: This is a non-exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

Reporting Structure: The Veterinary Technician is under the direct guidance and supervision of the Veterinary Technician Team Leader, Veterinarians, and the Hospital Manager who will indicate general assignments, limitations, and priorities. Completed work is reviewed for technical accuracy and compliance with established procedures.

Technician Objectives: The Veterinary Technician fully assists the doctors and each other, to help improve the quality of care given to clients and patients and to aid the doctors in achieving greater efficiency by relieving them of technical work.

The Veterinary Technician assists in multiple procedures providing care for animals including physical examinations, surgeries, euthanasia, client education, marketing and inventory maintenance.

This position requires a working knowledge of pharmaceutical drugs, common diseases; their symptoms, means of transmission, treatment and prevention, and other basic preventative health care recommendations.

This is an overview of the position and the job responsibilities listed do not encompass the entire position.

Five Obligations:

1. Arrive at work, dressed and ready to begin your assigned shift at least 5 minutes prior to your shift. Your attendance is monitored daily by your Team Leader and the Hospital Manager.

2. Work well with others and with other departments. Behave as though you are part of a hospital wide team and execute your job joyfully. Answer the call to assist a co-worker or Doctor immediately.

3. Prioritize your efforts around client and patient needs. Answer the call to start an appointment immediately. If you do not have patients or clients to attend to you should be engaged in some activity that supports excellent client or patient care such ensuring all patients are properly treated, have water and are clean and dry.

4. Strictly follow hospital protocols. Ensure you are familiar with the protocols for tasks such as isolation cleaning, controlled substances, hospital cleaning to name a few.

5. Participate in the training of yourself and in the training of others. It is expected that you elevate your knowledge and skill sets. It is also expected that you participate in helping your fellow employees reach training goals.

Position type and expected hours of work:

• Full or Part-Time

• Day staff:

  • 8-hour shifts Monday – Friday

• Night staff:

  • 10, 12, or 14 hour shifts Monday – Sunday

• Weekend shifts required

• Overtime may be required

Education and Experience:

• Licensed Technician

• Completed on the job training at a veterinary practice

Tasks:

• Evaluate the schedule for the day to anticipate patient arrivals and efficiently plan tasks around that day’s schedule. Anticipate what will be needed for appointments and do everything you can to set up and assist the Doctors.

• Receive, handle and treat patients with skill, compassion and care. Restrain pets in a manner that is safe for both the pet and employees ensuring proper restraint techniques are used.

• Collect specimens and perform routine laboratory procedures and tests in hematology, biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, urinalysis, and serology to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems.

• Observe animal appearance and activity for general physical condition, obvious signs of disease and discontent.

• Dispense and administer medications, vaccines, serums and treatments as prescribed by veterinarians.

• Administer fluids and blood products as prescribed by the veterinarian.

• Administer and monitor anesthesia under the direction of a veterinarian.

• Provide specialized nursing care for injured or ill animals.

• Prepare patients, instruments and equipment for surgery. Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery.

• Assist in diagnostic, medical and surgical procedures using a range of high-tech diagnostic equipment including CT, EKG, endoscopy, radiographic and ultrasonographic equipment.

• Take and process diagnostic radiographs.

• Perform emergency procedures including shock assessment and initiation of treatment, control of hemorrhage, establishing an airway by intubation and providing ventilation with O2, and performing external cardiac massage.

• Perform diagnostic tests such as ECG and doppler blood pressure and have a basic understanding of the meaning of the values.

• Monitor patients for vomit, blood, urine, feces in the cage and clean patients and cages as needed.

• Obtain samples from the cephalic, saphenous, and jugular veins.

• Administer oral medication as well as SQ, IM and IV injections

• Monitor changes in patient conditions and alert Doctors to significant changes.

• Properly calculate medication doses and volumes of liquid or tablets.

• Place and maintain IV catheters.

• Monitor anesthetized patients by observation and proper application of monitoring equipment.

• Know what the values on monitoring equipment means such as SPOs, CO2, ETCO2, HR, RR.

• Properly scrub hands and arms for surgical cleanliness, and aseptically gown and glove yourself when called to assist the doctor with a surgical procedure.

• Maintain inventory of pharmaceuticals, equipment and supplies.

COMPETENCY:

Basic Skills

• Recognize and assist in solving professional, administrative and supervisory problems. Exercises considerable judgment in applying professional knowledge in solving nursing problems within established policies and practices.

• Possession of strong organizational skills.

• Knowledge of the spelling and meaning of commonly used terminology of veterinary medicine to accurately record results of tests.

• Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

• Regular attendance and timeliness are an essential function to fulfill the requirements of this position.

• Critical thinking – Understanding logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to multitask.

Communication Skills

• Strong communication and client service skills. Considerable tact and diplomacy is required. Ability to work with clients and patients in a professional, friendly, and hospitable manner.

• Responds to direction and constructive criticism well.

• Strong communication, leadership and motivation skills. Has the ability to effectively solve problems dealing with staff conflict and/or personnel issues. Has the ability to direct, guide and assist a group of individuals.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Possess exceptional interpersonal communication skills.

• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

• Requires active listening skills, giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• Requires telephone conversations.

• Requires use of electronic mail and software programs.

• Requires writing letters and memos.

• Requires face-to-face discussions with individuals or team members.

Social Skills

• Work well with all employees and ensure that your actions support the hospital, the doctors, and the practice philosophy.

• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks as well as to accept direction on given assignments.

• Monitoring/Assessing the performance of yourself, other individuals or the practice to make improvements or take corrective action.

• Ability to adjust actions in relation to other’s actions.

• Teaching others how to perform a task.

• Actively looking for ways to help others.

• Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

• Requires dealing with unpleasant, angry or discourteous people.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust to focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to hazards associated with aggressive patients; hazards associated with infected animals and controlled substances; exposure to unpleasant odors and noises; exposure to bites, scratches, and animal wastes; possible exposure to contagious diseases.

*I am aware the Veterinary Technician job description is available on the company share drive. I understand that I am responsible for reading and understanding my tasks and obligations listed within this job description.

*This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.

Veterinary Specialists of Birmingham is an equal-opportunity employer. It is the policy of the practice to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. The practice will conform to the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.

Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Classification: This is a non-exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

Purpose: The purpose of this position is to perform record-keeping duties, clerical duties related to patient care and treatment, and to provide miscellaneous support to the Hospital Manager. This position requires that all incoming calls are promptly, courteously, and professionally answered and greet all owners and patients when entering the hospital.

Reporting Structure: The Receptionist is under the direct guidance and supervision of the Receptionist Team Leader, Veterinarians and the Hospital Manager who will indicate general assignments, limitations and priorities. Completed work is reviewed for technical accuracy and compliance with established procedures.

Five Obligations:

1. Arrive at work, dressed and ready to begin your assigned shift at least 5 minutes prior to your shift. Your attendance is monitored daily by your Team Leader and the Hospital Manager.

2. Work well with others and with other departments. Behave as though you are part of a hospital-wide team and execute your job joyfully. Answer the call to assist a co-worker or Doctor immediately.

3. Prioritize your efforts around client and patient needs. Answer the call to start an appointment immediately. If you do not have patients or clients to attend to you should be engaged in some activity that supports excellent client or patient care ensuring all patients are properly treated, have water and are clean and dry.

4. Strictly follow hospital protocols. Ensure you are familiar with the protocols for tasks such as isolation cleaning, controlled substances, hospital cleaning to name a few.

5. Participate in the training of yourself and in the training of others. It is expected that you elevate your knowledge and skill sets. It is also expected that you participate in helping your fellow employees reach training goals.

Position type and expected hours of work:

• Full or Part-Time

• Day staff:

  • 8, 10- or 12-hour shifts Monday – Friday

• Night staff:

  • 10, 12, or 14-hour shifts Monday – Sunday

• Weekend shifts required

• Overtime may be required

Education and Experience:

• Completed on-the-job training at a veterinary practice

• High School Degree or equivalent or higher

Primary Job Responsibilities:

• Answer incoming telephone calls within 3 rings in a professional and courteous manner. Triage telephone calls and transfer to the appropriate parties.

• Assist callers with appointment scheduling and phone messages. Prepare files for appointments.

• Schedule appointments obtaining all necessary data concerning the patient and owner. Prepare all required forms in advance when possible.

• Prepare to receive appointments by retrieving client records.

• Check clients in. Greet clients immediately with a smile and in a friendly, professional, and hospitable manner. Offer water and coffee.

• Assist in patient discharges. Review charts of patients being discharged for completeness of information, make recheck appointments, and note changes in patient status as necessary.

• Assure that all financial obligations are met by the owner. Collect client fees, make changes, process credit card transactions, assist in counting the cash drawer and run end-of-day transactions.

• Perform a variety of clerical duties, receiving, sorting, distributing mail, sending out mailings, cleaning, organizing the reception and phone area, type memos, reports and other documents.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCY:

Basic Skills

• Possession of strong organizational skills.

• Ability to operate electronics. Must have basic knowledge of Microsoft programs and the Practice Management Software

• Knowledge of the spelling and meaning of commonly used terminology of veterinary medicine.

• Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

• Regular attendance and timeliness are essential functions in order to fulfill the requirements of this position.

• Critical thinking – Understanding logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

• Ability to multitask.

Communication Skills

• Strong communication and client service skills. Considerable tact and diplomacy is required. Ability to work with clients and patients in a professional, friendly, hospitable manner.

• Strong communication, leadership and motivation skills. Has the ability to effectively solve problems dealing with staff conflict and/or personnel issues.

• Has the ability to direct, guide and assist a group of individuals.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Possess exceptional interpersonal communication skills.

• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

• Requires active listening skills, giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• Requires telephone conversations.

• Requires use of electronic mail and software programs.

• Requires writing letters and memos.

• Requires face-to-face discussions with individuals or team members.

Social Skills

• Work well with all employees and ensure that your actions support the hospital, the doctors, and the practice philosophy.

• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks as well as to accept direction on given assignments.

• Monitoring/assessing the performance of yourself, other individuals or the practice to make improvements or take corrective action.

• Ability to adjust actions in relation to others’ actions.

• Teaching others how to perform a task.

• Actively looking for ways to help others.

• Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

• Requires dealing with unpleasant, angry or discourteous people.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust to focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to hazards associated with aggressive patients; hazards associated with infected animals and controlled substances; exposure to unpleasant odors and noises; exposure to bites, scratches and animal wastes; possible exposure to contagious diseases.

*This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.

*Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Veterinary Specialists of Birmingham is an equal-opportunity employer. It is the policy of the hospital to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. The practice will conform to the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.