Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Additionalinformation - References
Timeline
Generic

Maria Arzuaga

Paterson,NJ

Summary

Experienced Veterinary Technician with 7 years of expertise in handling fractious pets, senior/special needs pets, and fear-free protocols. Known for exceptional patient care and client service, specializing with fractious pets. Detail-oriented and committed to providing excellent animal care.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience

Work History

Veterinary Technician

Willowbrook Animal Clinic
03.2021 - Current
  • Checking in clients and acquiring patient history and inputting notes
  • Restraining pets for exams, diagnostics and treatment as well as performing nail clippings, ear cleaning, etc.
  • Handled challenging behavior from stressed or anxious animals using calming techniques learned through continuous professional development courses.
  • Known for exceptional patient care specializing with fractious pets, particularly with cats and chihuahuas that others deem fractious.
  • Provided exceptional care for senior or special needs dogs, accommodating their specific requirements during exams, diagnostics and treatment.
  • Lab duties, taking X-rays, cytology, etc
  • Venipuncture and IV catheter placement
  • Calling clients to review lab work as per doctors discretion
  • Scheduling appointments, filing, data entry, client education
  • Preparing and filling prescriptions as well as vaccines, maintaining inventory
  • Effectively managed time-sensitive tasks while maintaining high-quality patient care through multitasking abilities during busy shifts at the clinic.
  • Assisted in euthanasia procedures with empathy and compassion, providing emotional support to grieving pet owners during difficult times.
  • Administered medications and vaccinations to animals under the supervision of a veterinarian, ensuring proper dosage and administration techniques.
  • Educated clients on preventive care measures such as vaccination schedules, heartworm prevention, flea/tick control, dental hygiene, and nutrition guidelines.
  • Maintained clean examination rooms, equipment, and kennels to ensure a safe and sanitary environment for both patients and staff members and prevent diseases and control odors.
  • Provided exceptional customer service, addressing client concerns and answering questions about pet health and wellness.
  • Collaborated with fellow technicians to create efficient workflows that streamlined daily tasks within the clinic setting.
  • Scheduled appointments efficiently while prioritizing urgent cases appropriately based on severity of symptoms presented by pets.
  • Provided thorough discharge instructions to clients following appointments or surgical procedures, ensuring clear understanding of medications, aftercare steps, and follow-up recommendations.
  • Administered medications to animals in treatment and documented changes in condition.
  • Assisted in surgical and dental cleaning procedures, ensuring a sterile environment and properly handing instruments to the veterinarian as needed.

Veterinary Technician

Banfield Pet Hospital
03.2018 - 03.2020
  • Acquiring patient history and inputting notes
  • Restraining pets for exams, diagnostics and treatment as well as performing nail clippings, ear cleaning, etc.
  • Handled challenging behavior from stressed or anxious animals using calming techniques learned through continuous professional development courses.
  • Known for exceptional patient care specializing with fractious pets, particularly with cats and chihuahuas that others deem fractious.
  • Provided exceptional care for senior or special needs dogs, accommodating their specific requirements during exams, diagnostics and treatment.
  • Lab duties, taking X-rays, cytology, etc
  • Venipuncture and IV catheter placement
  • Calling clients to review lab work as per doctors discretion
  • Preparing and filling prescriptions as well as vaccines, maintaining inventory
  • Effectively managed time-sensitive tasks while maintaining high-quality patient care through multitasking abilities during busy shifts at the clinic.
  • Assisted in euthanasia procedures with empathy and compassion, providing emotional support to grieving pet owners during difficult times.
  • Administered medications and vaccinations to animals under the supervision of a veterinarian, ensuring proper dosage and administration techniques.
  • Educated clients on preventive care measures such as vaccination schedules, heartworm prevention, flea/tick control, dental hygiene, and nutrition guidelines.
  • Maintained clean examination rooms, equipment, and kennels to ensure a safe and sanitary environment for both patients and staff members and prevent diseases and control odors.
  • Provided exceptional customer service, addressing client concerns and answering questions about pet health and wellness.
  • Collaborated with fellow technicians to create efficient workflows that streamlined daily tasks within the clinic setting.
  • Provided thorough discharge instructions to clients following appointments or surgical procedures, ensuring clear understanding of medications, aftercare steps, and follow-up recommendations.
  • Administered medications to animals in treatment and documented changes in condition.

Vet Assistant

Blue Cross Dog and Cat hospital
01.2017 - 01.2018
  • Acquiring patient history and inputting notes
  • Restraining pets for exams, diagnostics and treatment as well as performing nail clippings, ear cleaning, etc.
  • Handled challenging behavior from stressed or anxious animals using calming techniques learned through continuous professional development courses.
  • Provided exceptional care for senior or special needs dogs, accommodating their specific requirements during exams, diagnostics and treatment.
  • Calling clients to review lab work as per doctors discretion
  • Preparing and filling prescriptions as well as vaccines, maintaining inventory
  • Effectively managed time-sensitive tasks while maintaining high-quality patient care through multitasking abilities during busy shifts at the clinic.
  • Assisted in euthanasia procedures with empathy and compassion, providing emotional support to grieving pet owners during difficult times.
  • Educated clients on preventive care measures such as vaccination schedules, heartworm prevention, flea/tick control, dental hygiene, and nutrition guidelines.
  • Maintained clean examination rooms, equipment, and kennels to ensure a safe and sanitary environment for both patients and staff members and prevent diseases and control odors.
  • Provided exceptional customer service, addressing client concerns and answering questions about pet health and wellness.
  • Collaborated with fellow technicians to create efficient workflows that streamlined daily tasks within the clinic setting.
  • Provided thorough discharge instructions to clients following appointments or surgical procedures, ensuring clear understanding of medications, aftercare steps, and follow-up recommendations.

Dog Bather/Grooming Assistant

Paramus Puppy Spa
01.2015 - 01.2017
  • Safely handled various breeds of dogs, ensuring their comfort throughout the bathing process.
  • Carefully clipped nails, cleaned ears and eyes, as well as trimming hair around pads and paws, using gentle approach for anxious pets.
  • Successfully calmed anxious pets during the bathing process using proven soothing techniques.
  • Followed effective process for bathing and grooming dogs to remove dirt, loose hair, parasites, and hair mats.
  • Implemented proper sanitization procedures to maintain a clean and healthy environment for both pets and staff members.
  • Assisted groomers with prepping dogs for haircuts, resulting in streamlined appointments.
  • Demonstrated efficiency in managing multiple appointments simultaneously while maintaining high-quality results.
  • Provided exceptional care for senior or special needs dogs, accommodating their specific requirements during bathing sessions.
  • Ensured all dogs were thoroughly dried using appropriate techniques, reducing the risk of skin irritations or infections.
  • Observed animal behavior during bathing sessions, reporting any health concerns or issues to management promptly.
  • Maintained a clean and organized workspace for efficient grooming operations.
  • Contributed to a positive team environment by assisting coworkers with tasks as needed.
  • Managed inventory of grooming supplies, ensuring adequate stock levels and timely reordering when necessary.
  • Monitored animals for behavioral problems and signs of health issues.

Dog Daycare Attendant

Camp Bow Wow
01.2014 - 01.2016
  • Reduced the risk of accidents by closely supervising play areas and promptly addressing any signs of aggression or distress in dogs.
  • Improved dog socialization by closely monitoring playtime and encouraging positive interactions among dogs.
  • Gave animals proper attention to promote secure environment in owner's absence.
  • Supported overall facility cleanliness by regularly sanitizing dog spaces and equipment to maintain a healthy environment.
  • Managed pet safety and wellness in owners' absence by securing yard gates and removing items that could make pets sick.
  • Maintained detailed records on each dog''s behavior, health, and progress to provide insightful updates for pet owners.
  • Ensured timely feeding schedules were maintained for all dogs within the facility according to owner-provided instructions.
  • Followed pet care instructions for dietary needs and medication regimens.
  • Facilitated the integration of new dogs into daycare groups by carefully assessing compatibility with existing members and adjusting group dynamics as needed.
  • Exercised animals regularly with walks and rigorous play activities.
  • Provided excellent care to dogs with special needs, ensuring they received proper medication and attention.
  • Assisted in the recruitment and training of new team members by sharing best practices and mentoring them throughout their onboarding process.
  • Identified opportunities for improvement in daycare operations based on client feedback, resulting in increased customer satisfaction rates.
  • Washed, trimmed, and brushed animals to maintain good grooming standards.
  • Performed basic wound care and other medical aid, working with veterinarians to handle advanced cases.

Pharmacy Technician

Walgreens
01.2014 - 01.2015
  • Prepare and fill medications, customer service duties, assist in maintaining inventory
  • Enhanced pharmacy workflow by assisting pharmacists with medication dispensing, labeling, and packaging.
  • Promoted patient confidentiality by adhering to HIPAA regulations when handling personal information during transactions.
  • Counted and labeled prescriptions with correct item and quantity.
  • Assisted in maintaining a clean and organized work environment, ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
  • Increased overall pharmacy productivity by restocking supplies, organizing shelves, and maintaining cleanliness according to standards.

Administrative Assistant/Receptionist

Passaic Family Chiropractic
01.2012 - 01.2014
  • Light receptionist duties, scheduling appointments, data entry, cleaning and maintaining exam rooms, typing notes and appeals, filing

Game Advisor

GameStop
01.2010 - 01.2014
  • Organized games according to corporate plans for regular displays and special promotions.
  • Provided retail assistance, finalizing and processing customer purchases for games across major system types.

Clothing Associate

The Edge
01.2009 - 01.2011
  • Customer service, stocking, inventory, fitting room attendant,
  • Cleaned, closed, and secured store at end of shift.

Education

Medical Billing & Coding Certificate - Medical Coding And Billing

Lincoln Technical Institute
Paramus, NJ
09.2010

High school diploma - Illustration And Digital Art

John F. Kennedy High School
Paterson, NJ
06.2009

Skills

  • Client Education
  • Medical History Collection
  • Medical record-keeping
  • Suture removal
  • Nail Trimming
  • Treatment Administration
  • Thoracic and abdominal radiograph
  • Diagnostic sampling
  • Vaccinations
  • Patient Positioning
  • Pharmacy Duties
  • Medication Dispensing
  • Medication Labeling
  • Lab operations
  • Sanitation protocols
  • Vital signs
  • Anal sac expression
  • Animal behavior observation
  • Heartworm diagnostic testing
  • Ear sample collection
  • Patient bathing
  • Tick Removal
  • Laboratory skills
  • Intravenous injection
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • General anesthesia monitoring
  • Surgical Preparation
  • Supply Restocking
  • Euthanasia Procedures
  • Dental Procedures

Additionalinformation - References

  • Dr. Joseph Osei 973-303-8947
  • Larissa Garcia 973-886-6147
  • William Martinez 973-953-8468
  • Patricia Drysdale 201-341-5247

Timeline

Veterinary Technician

Willowbrook Animal Clinic
03.2021 - Current

Veterinary Technician

Banfield Pet Hospital
03.2018 - 03.2020

Vet Assistant

Blue Cross Dog and Cat hospital
01.2017 - 01.2018

Dog Bather/Grooming Assistant

Paramus Puppy Spa
01.2015 - 01.2017

Dog Daycare Attendant

Camp Bow Wow
01.2014 - 01.2016

Pharmacy Technician

Walgreens
01.2014 - 01.2015

Administrative Assistant/Receptionist

Passaic Family Chiropractic
01.2012 - 01.2014

Game Advisor

GameStop
01.2010 - 01.2014

Clothing Associate

The Edge
01.2009 - 01.2011

Medical Billing & Coding Certificate - Medical Coding And Billing

Lincoln Technical Institute

High school diploma - Illustration And Digital Art

John F. Kennedy High School
Maria Arzuaga