Kelly Marie McDonald
Voorhees,NJ
Summary
Compassionate professional in animal healthcare, known for high productivity and ability to efficiently complete tasks in emergency or specialty setting. Skilled in patient advocating, diagnostic testing/ obtaining samples, calculating and administering medications. Anesthesia administration/monitoring, and patient care management. Excels at communication, empathy, and teamwork, ensuring positive outcomes for both animals and owners. Can work independently or collaborate with others. At this point in my career, I have decided to leave Emergency medicine for a more predictable schedule. I am currently seeking work in a general practice or specialties Hospital/clinic that also offers dental procedures and general surgeries. I feel with my experience, close attention to detail and positive work attitude I can continue to be an asset to any Veterinary establishment.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Veterinary Technician (UC and SX)
Pennsauken Animal Hospital
Pennsauken, NJ
05.2023 - 01.2025
- Provide emergency care by placing IVCs, ET tubes, hooking up leads/sensors, and delivering oxygen to stabilize patients in triage.
- Participate in CPR to recover patients admitted via triage.
- Determined appropriate dosages of ER and non-ER medications when instructed by a veterinarian.
- Calculate medications correctly and in a timely manner in a chaotic setting. Proficient in medical math.
- Communicated with clients regarding their pet's health status or progress reports following a procedure or illness diagnosis.
- Collect all appropriate history on incoming triage or surgical admits by communicating with the owner and referring veterinarian or hospital records.
- Addressed healthcare needs of animals by coordinating with veterinarians and following orders.
- Provided emotional support to owners whose pets were ill or had passed away due to a terminal illness.
- Assisted with euthanasia when necessary according to veterinarian instructions.
- Monitored vital signs of animals during medical procedures and administered basic first aid treatments when necessary.
- Managed inventory and supplies to ensure materials were available when needed.
- Monitored vital signs during surgery and notified veterinarian of changes.
- Adhered strictly to safety protocols while working with hazardous materials such as drugs and chemicals.
- Provided postoperative care for animals recovering from surgery including providing pain management treatments.
- Used high-tech equipment to assist in diagnostic, medical and surgical procedures.
- Conducted initial exams on pets admitted by triage, took vital signs, and collected samples for in-house lab submissions, such as blood, radiographs, and urine (cysto). etc.
- Assisted with polishing, removing stains and other dental procedures.
- Assisted veterinarian with surgical procedures by assembling and sterilizing instruments and administering anesthesia.
- Operated anesthesia, oxygen and monitoring equipment. SVO and ISO are familiar.
- Experience monitoring anesthesia for dental procedures, spays, neuters, and other less complicated emergency surgeries.
- Ability to administer induction drugs, intubate, deliver anesthesia, monitor, and recover the patient independently, unless reversal is absolutely necessary.
- Shaved surgical areas and placed IV catheters in preparation for surgery.
- Ability to independently operate and retrieve diagnostic information for veterinarians with all in-house IDEXX diagnostic machines: ProCyte, Catalyst, Sediview.
- Cared for animals in post-operative recovery by closely monitoring vital signs and progress.
- Assisted with diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems by performing lab tests on specimens.
- I volunteered for our in-hospital rescue, "Helping Paws," that provided community outreach pet care programs and events, for example, free vaccines, education on pet care, and pet resources for otherwise marginalized communities in the area.
- I provided community outreach with education on animal health and wellness through informational materials, aiding the veterinarians with animal restraint and exams during special events.
- Interacting with the community and local pets at outreach events to answer any questions or pat any heads.
- Recognized by management for providing exceptional customer service.
- Maintained updated knowledge through continuing education and advanced training.
- I participated in multiple wet labs for advanced IVC placement, such as IO, over the summer.
- Fear Free certified.*
Lead Nurse of Internal Medicine (Dr.Lundsford)
Red Bank Animal Hospital
Mount Laurel, NJ
02.2019 - 05.2023
- Communicated with outside veterinarians and owners to obtain records and other valuable information prior to a scheduled IM consult to ensure Dr. Lundsford has all pertinent information on patient.
- Aid in animal restraint for physical exams carried out.
- Conducted specified laboratory tests to help detect conditions and determine diagnosis.
- Interpreted and evaluated diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient's condition.
- Actively participated in continuing education programs designed to enhance knowledge base and stay current on best practices.
- Advocated for patient needs during hospitalization with the ICU nurse team, and implemented outlined treatment plans for patients admitted under IM care.
- Collaborated often and worked in tandem with the ICU team to achieve all IM patients receive all treatments, meds, and diagnostics ordered by Dr. Lundsford.
- Use AUS on a daily basis as needed to perform cystocentesis when a sterile urine sample is needed.
- Called in patient prescriptions to multiple compounding pharmacies daily. At times, with complicated tapering dosages. (steroids)
- Under Dr. Lunsford's orders, approved or denied any prescriptions or prescription food on behalf of the doctor that came in from outside pharmacies or pharmaceutical platforms, i.e. Chewy
- I worked as an independent nurse to carry out all treatments for contagious patients who were hospitalized in isolation, and referred to the IM department.
- Knowledge of proper PPE materials and proper cleaning protocols.
- Aiding Dr. Lunsford in obtaining specimens and prepping for submission. For all procedures, such as upper GIs, endoscopy, rhinoscopy, and colonoscopies.
- Recovering patients from anesthesia after procedures, and discharging with post-operative medications, and care instructions as well future expectations to owners.
- Helping owners make recheck appointments and keep up to date with necessary diagnostic work pertaining to the patient's case.
- Answering emails and/or calls for Dr. Lunsford's clients. To answer any questions pertaining to patient care or addressing any concerns with the doctor.
- Administered oral, IV and intra-muscular medications and monitored patient reactions.
- Monitored progress notes for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with established diagnostics, medications, and treatments.
- Prepared medical equipment and tools to aid physician during examination and treatment of patients.
- Monitored diet, physical activity, behaviors and other patient factors to assess conditions and adjust treatment plans.
- Going over routine blood work results with the owners.
- Communicating with outside labs to ensure that specific tests sent to outside labs are shipped properly, and that all needed samples are provided in correct containers.
- Independently perform BG curves and tests daily for multiple patients under IM care, such as LDDS, ACTH Stim, bile acids test, etc.
- Ability to communicate information to the owner to successfully prepare a patient for upcoming tests, such as medication administration and fasting if needed.
- Independently discharge IM patients from consults and procedures, go over discharges, and answer any questions the client may have.
- Identified areas of improvement needed within the department and developed action plans accordingly.
- Ability to answer a good deal of client questions about multiple systemic disease processes, transmission, medications/treatments, and diagnostics pertaining to medical issues.
- Responsible for prepping diabetic patients for FreeStyle Libre, and applying.
- Relaying all information to the client on how to scan the patient's sensor, share information, and navigate the FSL app to ensure it is a helpful tool in the diabetic management of the patient.
- Giving clients demos on how to ensure safe and correct insulin for their pets.
- Giving demos to clients in exam rooms for long-term at-home treatments and medications, such as IM/SQ Zycortal, and SQ fluids. To ensure safe and clean administration, and client confidence.
Veterinary Technician (ER and Specialties)
C.A.R.E.S Center for Animal Referral and ER/Spec.
Langhorne, PA
03.2017 - 02.2019
- Responsible for quickly calculating and administering emergency and non-emergency drugs to stabilize a triaged patient.
- Ability to differentiate between a true emergent situation and a patient who is stable and may wait in a room or lobby for medical attention.
- Admit a patient for hospitalization from start to finish.
- Shaving and placing for IVC, setting the patient’s IVF pump, and any additives needed to receive IV medication ordered by the ER doctor.
- Carrying out all doctors' orders for multiple patients while working as an ICU nurse there.
- Monitoring multiple patients' changes and progress, and recording daily. Reporting any of these to doctor as needed.
- Communicated with clients regarding their pet's health status or progress reports following a procedure on behalf of emergency veterinarian.
- Triaged scheduled or emergency patients to route to appropriate surgeon or treatment area.
- Responded promptly to emergency calls outside normal business hours.
- Tracked and scheduled follow-up appointments for animal treatment.
- Followed precise feeding instructions and schedules for animals under care.
- Reviewed pet records from daily visits and appointments, entering important data into system.
- Cleaned and sanitized equipment and surfaces to protect animal and staff health.
- Monitored vital signs during surgery and notified veterinarian of changes.
- Participated in educational seminars related to veterinary medicine topics in order to stay up-to-date on current trends and best practices.
- Provided postoperative care for animals recovering from surgery including providing pain management treatments.
- Prepared and labeled medications and instructed client on administration.
- Conducted initial exams on pets, took vital signs and collected samples for lab.
- Assisted with euthanasia when necessary according to veterinarian instructions.
- Examined animals for injury or illness and documented symptoms for veterinarian review.
- Leveraged ultrasound and x-ray equipment for imaging and interpreted results.
- Monitored vital signs of animals during medical procedures and administered basic first aid treatments when necessary.
- Monitored food intake levels of hospitalized patients ensuring they received adequate nutrition while under care.
- Performed physical examinations and diagnostic tests, such as x-rays, ultrasounds, blood work, urinalysis, and fecal analysis.
- Partnered with IDEXX to analyze blood samples and diagnose conditions and diseases.
- Shaved surgical areas and placed IV catheters in preparation for surgery.
- Collected samples of bodily fluids to analyze for parasites or other diseases.
- Prepared and administered medications and vaccines as prescribed by veterinarian.
- Obtained relevant health history and information from clients to maintain medical charts.
- Supported veterinarians to drive quality care, advocate for pets and educate clients.
- Working with a rotating specialties schedule, where you will aid in exams and/or procedures in multiple departments a few days a week.
- I have experience aiding specialty veterinarians during exams for these specialty departments while at CARES: ophthalmology, cardiology, and orthopedics.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Environmental Biology (no degree yet)
Camden County College
Blackwood, NJSkills
- Jugular intravenous catheterization
- Animal restraint is comfortable for both the patient and the staff
- Obtaining phlebotomy samples
- Thoracic and abdominal radiographs
- Proficient in advanced and regular catheter placement
- Proficient in handling anxious, misunderstood, or otherwise fractious cats or dogs
- Detailed medical notes
- Gram-stained slide preparation
- Cystocentesis
- Recumbency restraint
- Canine and feline intubation
- Diagnostic sampling
- Emergency and preventive care
- Medication labeling
- Clinical pathology
- Vaccine administration
- Diagnostic imaging
- Specimen preparation
- Maintain controlled drug inventory
- Anesthesia administration
- Medical record-keeping
- Assessment and diagnosis
- Maintaining treatment notes
- Rehabilitation techniques
- Infection control/ PPE protocol
- Surgical assistance
- Tonopen tonometry method
- Patient monitoring
- Microscopy techniques
- Wound treatment
- Monitoring recovery
- Client education
- Suture removal
- Controlled substance management
- Fluorescein stain test
- Explaining treatment
Certification
- Fear Free Certified 2025
References
- Becca Krampten (Former co-worker/ fellow nurse at PAH) 609.694.5481
- Sierra Coffey (Former co-worker/fellow nurse at RBAH) 941.268.3117
- Dr.Yee (Volunteering veterinarian for Helping Paws for our outreach work) 415.652.2573
- John Petaford (Surgical and UC assistant at PAH) 856.571.7439
Timeline
Veterinary Technician (UC and SX)
Pennsauken Animal Hospital
05.2023 - 01.2025
Lead Nurse of Internal Medicine (Dr.Lundsford)
Red Bank Animal Hospital
02.2019 - 05.2023
Veterinary Technician (ER and Specialties)
C.A.R.E.S Center for Animal Referral and ER/Spec.
03.2017 - 02.2019
Some College (No Degree) - Environmental Biology (no degree yet)
Camden County College
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