Review of Sr. Veterinary Technician and Veterinary Technician Positions

Transcription

1 TO: FROM: DISTRIBUTION: SUBJECT: Gay Lancaster, Interim County Administrator Dave Libby, Director of Personnel Kenny D. Mitchell, DVM, Director Animal Services Review of Sr. Veterinary Technician and Veterinary Technician Positions DATE: January 23, 2001 This memorandum with supporting information describes the overall results of the recently concluded cyclic and maintenance review covering Senior Veterinary Technician and Veterinary Technician positions. The review consists of desk audits and other job analyses of four (4) positions in the Animal Services. As requested, the Personnel Department has reviewed the responsibilities and duties assigned the subject positions. Our recommendation and findings follow: RECOMMENDATION: PAY GRADE CHANGES: Results of the study indicate that the pay level is not competitive with the labor market. Therefore, the following recommendations are being made for upward pay grade changes as shown: PRESENT RECOMMENDED POSITION TITLE PAY GRADE PAY GRADE BC/C132 Sr. Veterinary Tech BC/C138 Veterinary Tech BC/C154 Veterinary Tech BC/C2879 Veterinary Tech ANALYSIS: The positions support very important functions performed at Animal Services. No major legislative, operational or procedural changes impact directly on positions in this review. The vigorous economy and continuation of recent trends in the labor market reflects ongoing increases in the number of veterinary businesses and employer demand for veterinary technician graduates in the general economy. 1

2 The Personnel Department conducted a labor market salary survey for classifications covered by this review. Public jurisdictions selected for comparisons are identified within this report. Personnel considered the fact that Pinellas County has the only managed County Government shelter in Florida with graduate veterinarians serving in the Director and Assistant Director positions. Consequently, the veterinary technicians perform more complex, intensive and increased workloads plus they are delegated more responsibility and freedom of action than in other public or private shelters. This group prominently participates in Florida s only county rabies abatement program using oral rabies vaccine. The Senior Technician is responsible for the management of the sampling program necessary for the accurate assessment of the program efficiency. All technicians collect tissue samples, prepare and them to the laboratory and maintain an accurate audit trail. These additional duties and responsibilities are not unique to these positions within Florida. Due to their skill and training they provide guidance and supervision to Animal Care Assistants and Animal Control Officers in the care and husbandry of the more than 18,000 animals that are rescued annually. These incumbents directly control the adoption examination process to evaluate health and temperament of animals eligible for adoption. Recent turnover required Personnel to advertise several times to locate candidates to fill openings and one opening is currently vacant. Only a few candidates are available for consideration even with aggressive recruitment and extended advertising periods. Upgrade of these positions addresses external market conditions along with balancing internal relationships between staff, supervisor and higher level positions. These pay grade changes more appropriately align the position duties and responsibilities. It is very important for the organization to remain competitive on an external basis. These changes will help the organization achieve future recruitment and retention goals for these hard to fill positions. FISCAL IMPACT: SALARY $6,475 BENEFITS $1,155 ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED COST $7,630 SUMMARY ANALYSIS OF INDIVIDUAL POSITIONS 1. Sr. Veterinary Technician - Survey data gathered from surrounding competitive public agencies indicates position (BC/C 132) lags behind the market. This position requires a thorough knowledge of animal services programs. Workloads continue to grow in an extremely demanding and stressful work environment. This position trains and supervises three Veterinary Technicians. The position supports the medical staff and performs in a key role impacting Department operations. Therefore, a four pay grade increase to PG 41 is recommended to reflect these factors and to achieve a three-grade relationship between the supervisor and non-supervisor work levels. 2. Veterinary Technicians - External public agency market data for positions (BC/C 138, BC/C 154, BC/C 2879) indicates positions are near or somewhat below competitor employers. It is recommended that these three position move up to PG 38 to recognize both the size and scope of the operation supported and to ensure an competitive position to attract and retain a sufficient number of well qualified individuals. 2

3 Cyclic Review of Veterinary Technician Positions (continued) MARKET DATA: ORGANIZATION Veterinary Tech PG 36 Sr. Veterinary Tech PG 37 MIN MAX MIN MAX HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY $ 26,145 $ 39,208 $ 29,806 $ 44,699 MANATEE COUNTY $ 21,112 $ 31,242 ORANGE COUNTY $ 22,339 $ 27,913 PALM BEACH COUNTY $ 24,367 $ 36,974 $ 27,437 $ 41,612 POLK COUNTY $ 23,067 $ 32,281 SEMINOLE COUNTY $ 23,442 $ 43,368 PINELLAS CO. $ 23,211 $ 34,948 $ 24,370 $ 37,093 AVERAGE (EXE. PC.) $ 23,406 $ 33,524 $ 26,895 $ 43,226 % AVG -0.84% 4.08% % % MEDIAN (EXE. PC.) $ 23,067 $ 32,281 $ 27,437 $ 43,368 % MEDIAN 0.62% 7.63% % % [General Information: Dr. Guy Hancock, Program Director of Veterinary Technology at St. Petersburg Junior College, estimates starting salaries of $10 to $12 ($20,800 $24,960) for two year program graduates. Animal Services recently lost two veterinary technicians to local corporate practice paying $12.00/hour. Dr. Hancock also states that nationwide there are about twice as many veterinarians as veterinary technicians with increased demands for veterinary technician graduates in more responsible positions. A starting salary at SPJC for a teacher veterinary technician would be $32,585 per year (approximately $15.66 an hour) for full time employment. Dr. Hancock believes future demand for graduates will continue to exceed the supply of candidates for jobs. Veterinary technicians average career length is approximately five years in private practice. In Animal Services the average length of services prior to departure has been approximately 2.5 years.] 3

4 VETERINARY TECHNICIAN NATURE OF WORK This is skilled technical work assisting in medical and surgical procedures in the Animal Services Department. Employees in this class provide medical assistance by administering anesthesia, injections and medication, preparing animals for, and assisting in, surgery and post-operative observation, inventory control and security of drugs, laboratory work and related clerical duties. Duties include performing euthanasia on animals. Assignments are made orally or in writing and work is reviewed through observation of results obtained, conferences and periodic reports or evaluations. ILLUSTRATIVE TASKS Prepares animals for surgery, prepares surgical packs, assists in surgical procedures, performs pre- and post-surgical observations of animals and reports condition changes, maintains surgical records and records surgical data. Administers medication, vaccines, anesthesia and oral, intra-muscular, subcutaneous and intravenous injections. Records, controls and maintains security of drugs and barbiturates regulated by Federal laws, rules, and regulations. Answers questions from the public on medical problems pertinent to animal control, spay, neuter procedures and notifies owners of upcoming surgery. Performs pre-surgical examinations including physical exam and evaluation, animal history, blood work and vaccines. Evaluates, examines and vaccinates impounded animals to determine adoptions, observes kennel population daily for injuries and illness and reports incidences. Performs euthanasia and supervises decapitation of rabies-suspect animals for Health Department examination and analysis. Performs assigned laboratory tasks and draws blood for veterinarian clinic blood banks. Interviews citizens and verifies eligibility in indigent care program; schedules and performs pre-op exams on animals; educates owners in animal care and control. Performs related work as assigned or required. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Knowledge of veterinary medical/surgical practices, procedures, and laboratory procedures. Skill in applying medical and surgical procedures. Ability to handle and restrain large and small animals. Ability to deal effectively and courteously with the public. Ability to operate a personal computer and other office equipment to prepare and maintain records accurately at a reasonable rate of speed. Ability to complete mental and physically demanding assignments plus lift heavy animals. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Possession and maintenance of a valid Florida Veterinary Medical Technician Certification. Applicants possessing a Veterinary Medical Technician Certification from another state or graduates of AVMA accredited Veterinary Technician programs must acquire Florida Veterinary Medical Certificate within one (1) year of employment. Revised 3/01 Doc Id: doc 4

5 SENIOR VETERINARY TECHNICIAN NATURE OF WORK This is lead worker and technical work assisting in medical and surgical procedures in the Animal Control Department. Employees in this class provide assistance in the clinic by administering anesthesia, injections and medication, preparing animals for, and assisting in, surgery and post-operative observation, inventory control and security of drugs, laboratory work and related clerical duties. Duties include performing euthanasia, lead worker tasks, guiding other staff and coordination with other sections within the department. Assignments are made orally or in writing and work is reviewed through observation of results obtained, conferences and periodic reports or evaluations. ILLUSTRATIVE TASKS Prepares animals for surgery, prepares surgical packs, assists in surgical procedures, performs pre- and post-surgical observations of animals reporting condition changes, maintains surgical records and records surgical data. Administers medication, vaccines, anesthesia and oral, intra-muscular, subcutaneous and intravenous injections. Records, controls and maintains security of drugs and barbiturates regulated by Federal law, rules and regulations; orders and maintains drug and supply inventory. Schedules and processes applications for surgery answering questions from the public concerning medical problems pertinent to animal control and spay and neuter clinics. Prepares monthly and quarterly summaries of performance indicators. Appears at local schools to educate children on animal care. Performs pre-surgical examination including physical exam and evaluation, animal history, blood work and vaccines. Evaluates, examines and vaccinates impounded animal to determine adoptions and observes kennel population daily for injuries and illness. Performs euthanasia and supervises decapitation of rabies-suspect animals for examination and analysis. Performs assigned laboratory tasks and draws blood for veterinarian clinic blood banks. Interviews citizens and verifies eligibility in indigent care programs; schedules and performs pre-op exams on animals; educates owners in animal care and control. Performs related work as assigned or required. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Knowledge of veterinary medical/surgical practices, procedures, and laboratory procedures. Skill in applying medical and surgical procedures. Ability to handle and restrain large and small animals. Ability to deal effectively and courteously with the public. Ability to operate a personal computer and other office equipment to prepare and maintain records accurately at a reasonable rate of speed. Ability to complete mental and physically demanding assignments plus lift heavy animals. 5

6 SENIOR VETERINARY TECHNICIAN (continued) Ability to train and supervise the activities of other employees. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Possession of a current valid Veterinary Medical Technician License as certified by the State of Florida and one (1) year of experience as a Veterinary Technician. Applicants possessing a Veterinary Medical Technician License from another state must acquire valid Florida Veterinary Medical License within one (1) year of employment. 6 Revised 3/01 Doc Id: doc