Melissa Hawkins
Ocala,FL
Summary
Dynamic Veterinary Technician with extensive experience at UF Veterinary Hospital, excelling in surgical preparation and patient assessment. Known for a friendly demeanor and exceptional attention to detail, I effectively administer medications and respond to emergencies, ensuring optimal care and recovery for all patients.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Veterinary Technician
UF Veterinary Hospital at WEC
03.2022 - Current
- Trained new staff in UF protocols, restraint, medication administration, and workflow.
- Obtain blood sample from Jugular, Cephalic, and Saphenous veins, as well as placing catheters for pre-surgical procedures and in emergency situations.
- Administered life-saving actions including compressions, airway management, and respiratory control.
- Ensured effective communication with triage team during critical incidents.
- Achieved rapid intravenous access in difficult circumstances.
- Obtain a history upon the intake of patients, as well as vitals, and create organized discharges for clinician staff.
- Follow and complete orders for patients that were put in place by clinicians, as well as filling, dispensing medications, and preventions.
- Administration of sedative drugs and monitoring patients while under sedation.
- Set up surgical procedures and supplies, as well as scrub patients and prepare them for surgery.
- Administration of medications orally, intravenous, intramuscular, and subcutaneously.
- Used proper restraint during radiographs and doctors' exams.
- Set up intravenous fluids and monitoring patients during hospitalization.
Veterinary Technician
Wickham Animal Hospital and Boarding
04.2021 - 02.2022
- Obtain history and intake patients for surgery, annual vaccines, and emergencies.
- Surgical patient monitoring and recovery.
- Administration of medications orally, intravenously, and subcutaneously.
- Using proper restraint during radiographs and doctors' exams.
- Obtain a blood sample from the jugular and cephalic veins, as well as collect urine and fecal samples to send out.
- Prepare and dispense medications, and preventions.
Veterinary Technician
Aloha Animal Hospital
02.2020 - 04.2021
- As part of the Night Technician Team, I was responsible for looking after hospitalized patients overnight.
- Administer medications intravenously, subcutaneously, and orally.
- Maintain and monitor intravenous fluid rates and perform CPR if necessary.
- Cleaned, wrapped, and sterilized surgical packs and instruments.
- Ensure the surgical suite was cleaned and prepared for the next day's surgeries.
Transportation Security Officer
Transportation Security Administration
06.2017 - 10.2019
- Security checkpoint officer, passenger/baggage search, and customer service agent
Internship
Alaska Moose Mamas
05.2017 - 07.2017
- Rescue, rehabilitation and release of orphaned moose calves over the summer of 2017
Veterinary Technician
Berwick Animal Hospital
02.2016 - 01.2017
- Restraint, IV catheter placement, IV fluid therapy, obtain blood sample from jugular and cephalic veins, radiographs, and monitored recovery from anesthesia.
- Drawing up vaccines, dispensing medications, and providing preventions.
Veterinary Assistant
Flemmington Veterinary Hospital
03.2014 - 07.2015
- Assisted the veterinary technician with vaccines, drawing blood, getting up medications, clipping nails, and restraint
- Assisted in the boarding facility with feeding, cleaning kennels, walking dogs, and giving medications
Kennel Technician
Preppy Pet Suites
02.2013 - 07.2013
- Assisted with cleaning kennels, feeding, giving medications, walking dogs, and basic grooming
Personal Banker
Fort Hood National Bank
12.2011 - 07.2012
- Experience with customer service and handling large sums of money as well as selling accounts to new customers
- Also experience with wire transfers, western unions, and money orders
Education
Associate of Arts -
Polk State College
Winter Haven, FL07-2011
Associate of Science - Veterinary Technician
Penn Foster
Online Skills
- Surgical preparation
- Medication administration
- Patient assessment and triage
- Animal restraint
- Closed-chest CPR
- Sedation monitoring
- Attention to detail
- Emergency response
- Client communication
- Compassionate care
Accomplishments
- Gators in Action award, February 2025
Certification
- Veterinary Assistant through Animal Behavior College, February 2014
- Fear Free Certification in August 2023
Timeline
Veterinary Technician
UF Veterinary Hospital at WEC
03.2022 - Current
Veterinary Technician
Wickham Animal Hospital and Boarding
04.2021 - 02.2022
Veterinary Technician
Aloha Animal Hospital
02.2020 - 04.2021
Transportation Security Officer
Transportation Security Administration
06.2017 - 10.2019
Internship
Alaska Moose Mamas
05.2017 - 07.2017
Veterinary Technician
Berwick Animal Hospital
02.2016 - 01.2017
Veterinary Assistant
Flemmington Veterinary Hospital
03.2014 - 07.2015
Kennel Technician
Preppy Pet Suites
02.2013 - 07.2013
Personal Banker
Fort Hood National Bank
12.2011 - 07.2012
Associate of Arts -
Polk State College
Associate of Science - Veterinary Technician
Penn Foster
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