Wouldn’t it be great to do what you love every day?
Do you want to work with great people while making a difference in the lives of animals?

Then we want to hear from you…… Kulshan Veterinary Hospital is seeking a veterinary technician or experienced assistant to join our team!

This candidate will need to be able to perform the following duties; animal restraint, caring for the instruments used for procedures, kennel maintenance, client education, the ability to anticipate needs of the other LVT’s and assistants, performing blood draws, prepare records/ management of patient information, among other technician duties.

We offer a great working environment, with a wonderful culture and excellent staff members, Competitive wage and benefits. We are looking to hire immediately for the right person! Experience preferred but not required. Best of luck to you in your job endeavors and we look forward to hearing from you soon!

Kulshan Veterinary Hospital – Lynden, Washington

Envision yourself practicing high-quality medicine in one of our two well-equipped facilities collaborating with empowering colleagues and a compassionate, skilled support staff. In your off time, refresh yourself by hiking one of our many local trails, skiing at Mt. Baker, watching whales in Puget Sound, fishing at a myriad of venues, or immersing yourself in the local theater and arts. Kulshan Veterinary Hospital, a fifteen-doctor, team-oriented, AAHA-accredited mixed animal practice located in NW Washington, is seeking to hire another mixed large animal veterinarian, with a strong interest in equine (particularly equine lameness.) Experience is preferred, but a capable new graduate would be considered. In addition to equine, one must have an interest in working on other large animal species, including dairy, beef, and small ruminants.

Our clinic is well-equipped with DR, 1.5M and 3M video endoscopes, portable ultrasound, therapeutic laser, and CO2 laser. We also have extensive dental equipment including powerfloats. The clinic provides a truck with a fully stocked vet box. Emergency duties are shared equally among the large animal doctor team. Veterinary duties include after-hours on both weekdays and weekends. Days off during the week are regularly scheduled to compensate for after-hours. The practice prioritizes work-life balance, a collaborative team atmosphere with open discussion among our team on of all aspects of practice, and mental health awareness.

We offer a competitive base salary range of $85,000 -$125,000 plus pro-sal. Our benefits package is extensive, with medical, dental and life insurance included. We also offer a SIMPLE IRA with 3% match, memberships in WSVMA and AVMA plus two additional memberships in national veterinarian associations of your choice, CE allowance, and paid vacation time. Kulshan Veterinary Hospital is looking for a motivated self-starter who wants to be mentored as they grow their veterinary repertoire in a supportive environment. Good communication skills and respect for clients, patients, and staff are critical.

If you can visualize yourself as part of this fun-loving, high-quality team, please send your resume and cover letter to Pam Bergmann at pbergmann@kulshanvet.com.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Envision yourself practicing high-quality medicine in one of our two well-equipped facilities collaborating with empowering colleagues and a compassionate, skilled support staff. In your off time, refresh yourself by hiking one of our many local trails, skiing at Mt. Baker, watching whales in Puget Sound, fishing at a myriad of venues, or immersing yourself in the local theater and arts. Kulshan Veterinary Hospital, a fifteen-doctor, team-oriented, AAHA-accredited mixed animal practice located in NW Washington, is seeking to hire another mixed large animal veterinarian, with a strong interest in equine (particularly equine lameness.) Experience is preferred, but a capable new graduate would be considered. In addition to equine, one must have an interest in working on other large animal species, including dairy, beef, and small ruminants.

Our clinic is well-equipped with DR, 1.5M and 3M video endoscopes, portable ultrasound, therapeutic laser, and CO2 laser. We also have extensive dental equipment including powerfloats. The clinic provides a truck with a fully stocked vet box. Emergency duties are shared equally among the large animal doctor team. Veterinary duties include after-hours on both weekdays and weekends. Days off during the week are regularly scheduled to compensate for after-hours. The practice prioritizes work-life balance, a collaborative team atmosphere with an open discussion among our team on of all aspects of practice, and mental health awareness.

We offer a competitive base salary range of $85,000 -$125,000 plus pro-sal. Our benefits package is extensive, with medical, dental and life insurance included. We also offer a SIMPLE IRA with 3% match, memberships in WSVMA and AVMA plus two additional memberships in national veterinarian associations of your choice, CE allowance, and paid vacation time. Kulshan Veterinary Hospital is looking for a motivated self-starter who wants to be mentored as they grow their veterinary repertoire in a supportive environment. Good communication skills and respect for clients, patients and staff are critical

If you can visualize yourself as part of this fun-loving, high-quality team, please send your resume and cover letter to Pam Bergmann at pbergmann@kulshanvet.com.  We look forward to hearing from you.

– JOB DESCRIPTION –

Laboratory Technician

INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this position is to serve as a Laboratory Technician at Kulshan Veterinary Hospital, to perform analysis and record keeping of all laboratory tests, and to provide miscellaneous support to the veterinary practice manager and staff. This position requires a practical knowledge of hospital organization and services, data entry, word processing, mail service, and a practical knowledge of the standard procedures, veterinary records and terminology used in the hospital laboratory.

Primary Job Responsibilities
• Management reserves the right to assign varied job tasks to any employee.
• Chemistry:
o Analyze samples using the Heska DriChem 7000 analyzer
o Perform preventative maintenance on analyzer
– Monthly – clean air filters
– Quarterly – perform periodic maintenance
o Run Heska Quality Control weekly
o Compare DriChem results with Phoenix Lab results on one sample monthly
o Troubleshooting – call Tech support if there is a problem with the analyzer

• Coggins:
o Type Coggins forms
o When coggins are complete, separate forms – keep white & green copies in lab, yellow copy to client, pink copy gets mailed to USDA.
o Scan original description of horses & put in folder in lab file in computer.
• Health Certificates:
o Talk to clients to get information for health certs and/or coggins
o Make sure the doctor has appropriate information before they go on the call
o Type interstate & international health certs
o As needed, call for permit #’s on interstate HC’s
o FedEx international HC’s to USDA-Olympia for endorsement.
o Scan HC and insert document in client medical record
o Interstate HC’s – blue copy to client, top two copies sent to WSDA.
• Analysis using Idexx SNAP Test Kit:
o FELV/FIV
o Parvo
o Feline PLI
• Analysis using Zoetis or Abaxis test kit:
o Heartworm
• Semen Evaluation – either:
o Semen motility check – check for motility and approximate # of sperm.
o Semen evaluation – evaluate motility & morphology, and do a sperm count for # of sperm/ml and # of sperm/ejaculate.
• Hematology:
o Analyze samples using the Hematrue Hematology analyzer
o Run Quality Control daily
o Compare HemaTrue results with Phoenix Lab results on one sample monthly
o Change fluid packs as necessary
o Trouble shooting – call Tech support if there is a problem with the analyzer
o Read WBC differential slides, involving counting % of each WBC type and nucleated RBC’s, analyzing WBC, RBC & platelet morphology.
o Read TP using the Refractometer
o Calculate Fibrinogen level
o Perform reticulocyte counts
o Analyze fluids (eg. Joint fluid, belly tap) by getting a count from the Hematrue, reading a TP & differential count (if enough WBC’s)
• Cytology:
o Read cytology slides from needle aspirates or masses, evaluating smear for types of cells, bacteria, or other organisms.
• Urinalysis:
o Read Dipstick for PH/protein/blood/ketones/bilirubin & glucose
o Read specific gravity using refractometer
o Examine urine sediment for RBC’s, WBC’s epithelial cells, crystals, casts, sperm & bacteria
• Parasitology:
o Acid fast stain – stain slide (usually fecal) and check for acid-fast organisms.
o Baerman sedimentation for lungworms – set up and read after 24 hours.
o Fecal floatation – check for parasite eggs, coccidia or giardia & quantitate #/g for LA and #/lpf for SA.
o Fecal sand check – set up and read at 24 hours.
o Fecal occult blood test.
o Skin scraping – check slide microscopically for mites or demodex.
o Stained smears – often ear swabs or skin tape preps or impression smears; check slide microscopically for yeast and/or bacteria.
• Bacteriology
o Set cultures – includes milk, fecal, eye, ear, skin, uterine, abscess/wound, urine, nasal, tracheal wash, fluid
o Read cultures, identifying all bacteria, and set/read sensitivities if needed.
– ID based on various of the following:
• Colony morphology
• Gram stain
• Catalase test
• Oxidase test
• Coagulase test
• Spot Indole Test
• Tube ID media: TSI/LIA/SIM/Urea/Citrate
o Subculture quality control plate weekly (with staph aureus, oxidase-positive, Mannitol positive & negative organisms )
o Quality Control: compare our results (ID & sensitivity) with Phoenix Lab results on one sample per quarter
o Keep a log of incubator temperature, making sure it’s in the correct range.
o KOH preps – Microscopic examination for fungal elements in hair shafts
o Examination for Dermatophilus – set up slide, stain and read
o Read DTM cultures – if growth on RSM or DTM media, do wet mount & examine microscopically to verify presence or absence of Dermatophytes.

• Send out samples to Reference Laboratories
o Prepare laboratory samples and corresponding paperwork and send to a variety of reference laboratories within the U.S.

• Things we make
o Coggins media
o Phenol plates
o Penicillin gel solution
o 10% buffered formalin

CONTROLS OVER WORK
The Laboratory Technician works under the direct supervision of the Laboratory Manager, who will indicate and oversee general assignments, limitations and priorities. Recurring assignments are performed independently. Deviations or unfamiliar situations are referred to the laboratory manager and/or practice manager. Completed work is reviewed for technical accuracy and compliance with established procedures.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTS
Skills and Knowledge: Knowledge of laboratory procedures and laboratory analyzer operating instructions, recording test results, relaying information regarding test results, and compiling and entering test data on patients into their records in Cornerstone.
Knowledge of the spelling and meaning of commonly used terminology of veterinary medicine to accurately record results of tests.
Personal contact with animal clients is affected by a variety of problems, visitors and other staff members. Considerable tact and diplomacy is required.

Veterinary Student Employee Opportunity:

Objectives:

• To introduce opportunities in clinical practice to veterinary students
• Previous experience is not required. Positive attitude is required.
• To offer LA, SA, or Mixed animal opportunities
• To teach safe, humane handling of animals
• To teach safe restraint of animals
• To teach an approach for a complete physical exam
• To teach practical animal welfare
• To teach addressing entire animal needs
• To teach controlling the environment including all occupying that environment
• Will do our best to address individual written objectives presented at the beginning of the rotation

Description:

• Available to any veterinary student to apply for a position. Completed application is required.
• Generally during the summer months after the first or second year in veterinary college
• Duration of a minimum of 4 weeks and will involve some weekend and after-hours duties
• Paid position as an employee of Kulshan Veterinary Hospital (KVH). Each candidate must pass a drug test and background screening process.
• All candidates are admitted solely by decision of the KVH Leadership, based in part but not completely upon background, experience, interest and screening criterion.
• Housing is available and will need to be reserved with the KVH Business Office Coordinator in advance.
• Be willing and able to work in any aspect of work needing to be done at a veterinary hospital or in the care of any animals or any treatments or procedures
• Exercise confidentiality in dealing with all client/patient interactions during and after completion of the rotation.
• Please see our website for information about our practice and to download an application form
• Questions can be directed to: obosscher@kulshanvet.com (Business Office Coordinator)