Elizabeth C. Charles CVT
Goodyear,AZ
Summary
Enthusiastic Certified Veterinary Technician with 23 years of experience planning, leading and improving daily tasks and functions. Strategic in developing policies, managing staff, implementing protocols to ensure efficiency and a positive working environment. Focused on motivating staff and working with diverse personality types by leading by example and using my skills as a technician to drive improvements.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Internal Medicine Technician
BluePearl Veterinary Partners
Avondale, AZ
02.2020 - Current
- Reviewed patient progress to document effects of any prescribed medication.
- Explained treatment procedures, medications and diets to inform patient's family of care and progress.
- Evaluated patients to identify and address behavioral concerns and medically relevant symptoms.
- Unpacked, sorted, counted and labeled all incoming medications to keep optimum inventory levels.
- Monitored, tracked and conveyed important patient information to Veterinary staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
- Obtained biological specimens for ordered tests and prepared for laboratory transport.
- Offered immediate assistance in emergency and routine paging situations to evaluate needs and deliver care.
- Monitored patient specimen samples and test results to effectively alert supervisors of potentially unhealthy changes.
- Assisted Internist with Ultrasound procedures.
- Assisted Internist with Endoscopy procedures.
- Greeted pet owners and went over available services, outlined costs and determined special needs of animals under care.
- Managed medical intervention and therapy for animals in collaboration with veterinarian.
- Recorded symptoms and documented medical observations to inform treatment decisions.
- Collected patient biopsies and blood samples for laboratory analysis.
- Provided care for animals before surgeries, administering anesthetics as necessary for overall comfort and health.
- Triaged incoming patients to determine treatment needs and urgency of care.
- Performed ophthalmological procedures such as tear production testing, topical anesthetic application, fluorescein staining of cornea and tonometry.
- Administered medications to animals in treatment and documented changes in condition.
- Processed new patients and updated client records with key information using standardized registration systems and encrypted databases.
- Answered owner animal health questions and advised on best care practices.
Practice Manager, Technician
Bethany Animal Hospital
Phoenix, AZ
03.2017 - 11.2019
- My duties as practice manager at Bethany Animal Hospital include delegating specific duties to each team member to improve efficiency
- Guide and train each member of staff on hospital protocol and how to improve skill set
- Other duties include inventory management, staff schedules, account management for the hospital, keep track of production and revenue
- At times of staff shortage, I would perform as technician when necessary
- Conducted weekly staff meetings, address issues between staff members, maintain and promote a positive work environment and lead staff by example of my actions
- Communicated closely with pet owners, ensuring patient care and client relations were well maintained
- Provided outstanding support to entire staff which helped improve process flow and boosted efficiency
- Developed close working relationships with front office and back office staff
- Developed policies and procedures for effective practice management
- Supervised team of 7 office personnel
- Consulted with healthcare professionals on business decisions
- Trained newly hired team members on office procedures and computer system
- Oversaw fiscal operations, including accounting, budgeting, authorizing expenditures, and financial reporting
- Ordered all office supplies and kept check on inventory levels
Lead Certified Veterinary Technician
Agua Fria Animal Hospital
Goodyear, AZ
03.2016 - 03.2017
- Designed, planned, organized and directed orientation and training programs for employees
- Identified project requirements by establishing personal rapport with potential and existing clients
- Monitored and maintained cleanliness, sanitation, and organization of assigned station and service areas
- Resolved complaints and issues involving both clients and employees
- Designed and introduced leadership development, coaching and team management model, resulting in promotion of employees into increased levels of responsibility
- Implemented cross-training in other operations department responsibilities to ensure responsibilities were covered when teammates were out
- Developed new employees and on-going performance assessment of current employees
- Provided excellent service to clients and employees
- Greeted clients and their pets professionally and courteously to cultivate and maintain welcoming atmosphere
Surgery Technician
Bethany Animal Hospital
Phoenix, Arizona
11.2013 - 03.2016
- Assisted veterinarians during surgical procedures by organizing operating room by preparing necessary tools and equipment
- Explained preventative care measures to clients, including flea and tick control and heartworm medication
- Examined animal patients, asking pet owners appropriate questions regarding behavior, eating habits and sleeping
- Restrained animals of all sizes appropriately during veterinary examinations and when immunizations were given
- Prepared surgical instrument packs and drapes for use in sterile environments by processing in autoclave under high pressure and high temperature conditions
- Managed medical intervention and therapy for animals in collaboration with veterinarian
- Assisted veterinary surgeon in routine surgical procedures, and more complex surgeries and procedures
- Provided exemplary customer service to owners by answering animal health questions and educating about positive animal care practices
- Implemented trap, neuter and release programs to manage local feral cat population
- Treated animals in both routine and emergency situations
- Monitored patients under anesthesia during surgical procedures
- Completed routine examinations, as well as surgical and dental procedures on various animal breeds
Certified Veterinary Technician
Emergency Animal Clinic
Peoria, AZ
01.2009 - 06.2009
- My duties as a veterinary technician were as follows: Triage patients as they came in, drawing blood, setting IV and urinary catheters, perform basic lab procedures, treating patients in ICU, calculating drug doses and fluid rate
- Interviewed owners regarding animal symptoms to ascertain potential conditions and illnesses
- Worked with other technicians and Veterinarians to keep patient flows running smoothly and efficiently
- Obtained blood samples and ran analytical tests
- Obtained patient weights and vital signs, documenting all information into veterinary charts
- Utilized Fear-Free techniques to mitigate anxiety and keep animals calm
- Attended to sick or injured animals by securing veterinary care and notifying owners quickly of pet’s condition
Surgery Supervisor
Power Road Animal Hospital
Mesa, AZ
01.2000 - 05.2008
- My duties as surgery supervisor were as follows: Maintain flow of surgery schedule on a daily basis, maintain surgery equipment
- Lead the surgery staff and ensure efficiency and order, keep up on inventory on a weekly basis
- I also conducted monthly meetings about personnel issues, policy changes, upcoming continuing education, etc
- My skills as a nurse were also utilized, monitoring patients under anesthesia, placing IV and urinary catheters, drawing blood, administering intravenous and subcutaneous fluids, calculating drug doses and fluid rates for patients
- Assisted in routine and emergency surgeries
- My duties as a nurse were not just restricted to surgery, also assisted in routine exams on patients, performed basic lab procedures, radiography when requested and treated hospitalized patients with serious illnesses
Veterinary Technician
First Regional Animal Hospital
Chandler, AZ
01.2003 - 07.2004
- My duties as a veterinary technician were as follows: Triage patients as they came in, drawing blood, setting IV and urinary catheters, perform basic lab procedures, treating patients in ICU, calculating drug doses and fluid rates
- I also assisted the Internal Medicine Specialist on staff for six months
- I assisted in ultrasounds, echocardiograms, chemotherapy and treating life debilitating diseases
Education
Completed My CVT Certification in 2004 - Biology
Rio Salado College
Phoenix, AZSkills
- Medical record keeping
- Administrating and maintaining anesthesia
- Obtaining blood samples
- IV catheter placement
- Emergency care
- Treating patients
- Lead Technician
- Surgery Technician
- Digital radiography (Dental radiography as well)
- Dental cleanings
- ICU patient care
- Controlled substance management
- Veterinary office administration
- Practice management
- Bookkeeping
- Inventory management
- Staff management
- Staff meetings
- Staff training/development
Timeline
Lead Internal Medicine Technician
BluePearl Veterinary Partners
02.2020 - Current
Practice Manager, Technician
Bethany Animal Hospital
03.2017 - 11.2019
Lead Certified Veterinary Technician
Agua Fria Animal Hospital
03.2016 - 03.2017
Surgery Technician
Bethany Animal Hospital
11.2013 - 03.2016
Certified Veterinary Technician
Emergency Animal Clinic
01.2009 - 06.2009
Veterinary Technician
First Regional Animal Hospital
01.2003 - 07.2004
Surgery Supervisor
Power Road Animal Hospital
01.2000 - 05.2008
Completed My CVT Certification in 2004 - Biology
Rio Salado College
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