Jena R. West
Knoxville
Summary
Experienced Licensed Veterinary Technician Specialist in cardiology. Mentored future veterinary professionals and enhanced patient care through effective communication and teamwork. Co-founded and managed financial planning, grant proposals, and fundraising strategies for a nonprofit organization.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Treasurer (Co-founder) for nonprofit
The West Memorial Foundation
Knoxville
02.2024 - Current
- Developed funding proposals that secured grants and donations, enhancing resources for community programs.
- Led fundraising initiatives that generated critical support for community programs and projects.
- Managed financial planning and budgeting processes, ensuring alignment with foundation initiatives and long-term goals.
- Oversaw investment strategies to optimize asset growth and sustainability.
- Monitored and maintained financial records, including budgets, investments, and expenditures.
- Main contact (and decision maker) for scholarship award distribution (currently awarding yearly scholarships to Powell Senior High School and University of TN College of Veterinary Medicine).
- Evaluated financial information to determine present and future financial performance.
Licensed Veterinary Technician (VTS-cardiology)
University of Tennessee
Knoxville
04.2011 - Current
- Provided direct care to patients and assisted with procedures such as echocardiogram (proficient in performing), electrocardiograph (proficient in performing and reading), radiology, cardiac interventional procedures (pacemaker placements, balloon valvuloplasties, angiography, patent ductus arteriosus repair), and cardiac bubble studies.
- Trained five cardiology residents since 2011, fostering clinical skills and knowledge in veterinary cardiology.
- Assist with education of 4th year veterinary students, veterinary rotating interns, and veterinary residents on the clinical cardiology rotation.
- Educated clients on animal health, preventative care and explanation of diagnosis made by the cardiologist.
- Triaged incoming patients arriving for scheduled appointments or on emergent bases to route to appropriate surgeon or treatment area.
- Supervised training of veterinary technician interns to instill awareness of organizational procedures and processes.
- Created the daily appointment schedule and the schedule for all interventional cardiac procedures.
- Facilitated one-on-one meetings with clients to enhance understanding and mediate issues between clinicians and clients.
- Acting as a liaison with other medical services within UTCVM for efficient patient care.
- Assisted with various research projects in veterinary cardiology to advance knowledge and practices.
Clinic Volunteer
Brickey McCloud Elementary
Knoxville
09.2006 - 04.2011
- Demonstrated compassionate care and effective communication to enhance patient experience.
- Assessed and prioritized treatment for lacerations, contusions, and physical symptoms to facilitate timely medical attention.
- Documented student information and communicated updates to interdisciplinary care team to ensure coordinated care.
- Provided companionship and emotional support to students to enhance their well-being.
Licensed Veterinary Technician
University of Tennessee
Knoxville
07.1997 - 11.2001
- Provided direct care to patients and assisted with procedures such as allergy skin testing, skin scrapings, and ear exams and scoping.
- Assessed animals for injury and illness, documenting detailed symptom notes for dermatologist's evaluation.
- Attended to sick or injured animals by securing veterinary care and notifying owners quickly of pet's condition.
- Met with pet owners to explain the pathophysiology of dermatological diseases and treatment plans planned out by the clinicians.
- Treated animals afflicted with demodectic and sarcoptic mange and pyoderma skin conditions with therapeutic bath treatments and medications.
- Administered and monitored sedation and anesthesia for surgeries and operations.
- Provided direct care for animal patients in post-operative recovery, closely monitoring vital signs and progress.
- Triaged incoming patients arriving for scheduled appointments.
- Coordinated patient admissions and discharges, optimizing workflow and enhancing efficiency of veterinary operations.
- Managed inventory supplies for dermatology department, ensuring timely restocking and availability of essential materials.
- Presented information on animal health and preventative care to clients.
- Assist the cardiologist with teaching of laboratories for veterinary students.
Education
MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH - VETERINARY MEDICINE
UTK
Knoxville, TN12-2023
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
The University Of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN05-2003
Associate of Science - Veterinary Technology
Lincoln Memorial University
Harrogate, TN05-1997
Skills
- Echocardiography
- Cardiac ultrasound
- Cardiac condition management
- Diagnostic ECG/EKG tracing
- Cardiac monitor placements
- Contrast agent administration
- Veterinary imaging techniques
- Clinical resource evaluation
- Clinical practice improvement
- Veterinary education initiatives
- Client relationship management
- Client education
- Support counseling
- Team collaboration
- Team mentorship
- Strategic planning
- Problem solving
- Analytical thinking
- Time management
- Emotional awareness
- Clinical resource evaluation
Certification
- Licensed Veterinary Medical Technician, 1998
- Veterinary Technician Specialist (cardiology), 2019
- Fear Free Veterinary Professional Certified, 04/2020
- Customer Relations and Communication Certification (K@TE), 11/12/2020
- Communication through Challenging Customer Interactions (K@TE), 09/24/2020
- Take Care of Your Mental Health at Work (K@TE), 04/22/2020
- Normalize Mental Health on Your Team (K@TE), 04/22/2020
- Adult and Infant First Aid and CPR (American Red Cross)
- The Value of Mental Health in the Workplace (K@TE), 04/22/2020
- Leadership Skills Certificate (K@TE), 04/16/2020
- Leading From Where You Are Certificate Program, completed 04/29/2026
Accomplishments
- First (and only) veterinary technician specialist in the field of veterinary cardiology in Tennessee
- President of the Tennessee Veterinary Technician Association 2011, 2012
- 2023-current Member-at-Large for the Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians (AIMVT)
- Created highly effective new interventional cardiology scheduling and procedure lists that significantly impacted efficiency and improved operations
- Created numerous instructional booklets for various instruments/programs used in cardiology
- 2025 Randy Evans Veterinary Medical Technology Merit Award (presented by Lincoln Memorial University)
- Published author in NAVTA Journal (April/May 2017, April/May 2021)
- Conference speaker at various veterinary conferences from 2013 to 2026
References
- Mrs. Amy Dunaway, Development Director for the Blount Memorial Foundation, (865) 599-0104
- Dr. Rebecca Gompf, DACVIM (Cardiology), (865) 803-1987
- Dr. Sandra Cridlin, Research Associate III, McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, (804) 690-1781
Activities
- Member of UT CVM Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
- Member of the UTK Master of Public Health Academic Program Committee
- Boys Scouts of America volunteer- 10+ years
- Phi Beta Kappa member
- Class of 2022 inducted-The National Society of Leadership and Success (The University of Tennessee, Knoxville chapter)
- Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) school coordinator and treasurer
Timeline
Treasurer (Co-founder) for nonprofit
The West Memorial Foundation
02.2024 - Current
Licensed Veterinary Technician (VTS-cardiology)
University of Tennessee
04.2011 - Current
Clinic Volunteer
Brickey McCloud Elementary
09.2006 - 04.2011
Licensed Veterinary Technician
University of Tennessee
07.1997 - 11.2001
MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH - VETERINARY MEDICINE
UTK
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
The University Of Tennessee
Associate of Science - Veterinary Technology
Lincoln Memorial University