Licensed Veterinary Technician

We are pleased to offer a $1,500 sign-on bonus at time of hire and an additional $1,500 at the end of 6 months after a performance evaluation.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVTs) are involved in all aspects of medical and surgical care in the shelter and clinic. LVTs are trusted and empowered to provide high level nursing care for hospitalized patients and anesthetic support for surgery patients, including maintaining a High-Quality High Volume Spay Neuter flow and other soft-tissue surgeries. LVTs are involved in all aspects of the comprehensive veterinary services provided to shelter pets including exams, surgery, dentals, diagnostics, infectious disease management, neonatal care, geriatric care, intensive care and emergencies. The LVT should be excited about animal welfare, shelter medicine, increasing access to veterinary care, and HQHVSN practices.

KEY OR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Medicine:

Works independently caring for critical patients, providing proper medical care as assigned by a veterinarian.

Provides daily nursing care of clinic inpatients, shelter/foster patients, surgical patients and public patients. Able to work independently to provide proper medical care as assigned by a Veterinarian (DVM)

Obtains diagnostics including digital radiography and positioning, phlebotomy, in-house lab analyzer processing

Assists with intake and discharge of patients, sharing information in a friendly and competent manner

Infectious disease treatment, with a focus on Ringworm, Upper Respiratory Infection, Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease, Panleukopenia, and Parvovirus

Animal husbandry duties including cleaning, feeding, watering, medicating and monitoring all animals in the veterinary clinic to maintain high standards of veterinary care

Filling prescriptions

Administer medications, vaccinations, and other treatments

IV catheter placement and maintenance

Assist with euthanasia, perform euthanasia if certified

Surgery:

Responsible for leading the flow and function of HQHVSN surgeries with a surgical support team that sees 20-50 patients daily per DVM.

Responsible for anesthetic induction, monitoring and surgical recovery of patients

Responsible for accurate drug calculations, management of surgical flow and accurate surgical record keeping

Responsible for surgical prep for soft tissue and orthopedic surgical procedures

Works independently to obtain dental x-rays and perform dental prophylaxis

Assist with the intake and release of surgical patients

Respond appropriately and take a lead role during an emergency and maintain competency during CPR procedures Other:

Work closely with volunteers in the department and related programs and provide support and training as needed. Assist veterinary leadership in training & mentoring staff

Ensure adherence to Seattle Humane policies and safe practices

Work closely with all departments and communicates effectively regarding the medical needs of shelter animals

Communicates in a professional and effective manner with the public, Seattle Humane staff, and volunteers

Represent Seattle Humane in a professional and courteous manner

Follows all written and verbally communicated departmental standard operating procedures

Report any health, behavior, safety, or security concerns to supervisor in a timely manner

Provides a leadership example of collaborative teamwork for the Veterinary Services team and across Seattle Humane departments

All other duties assigned

LICENSES/CERTIFICATION REQUIRED:

Must hold a Veterinary Technician license in the state of Washington or ability to transfer license from another state

Certified for euthanasia under Washington State regulations or willing to obtain certification

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION OR TRAINING:

Experience in a veterinary setting or animal welfare field preferred

Familiar with characteristics of animal behavior and utilization of low stress animal handling as related to a clinic/shelter environment

Must be able to use appropriate safety equipment for fractious or feral animals

Will be asked to handle large volumes of dogs and cats per day.

Must be proficient at safe animal handling and restraint for various clinic procedures

Must be able to read, write, listen and communicate effectively

Must be able to perform basic mathematical operations

Should be able to identify personal limitations and be willing to ask for help

Proficient at use of computer technology including Microsoft Office programs, email and Internet

PHYSICAL & MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

The ideal candidate for this role must possess certain physical and cognitive abilities. They must be able to work for extended periods, standing or sitting for 10 or more hours, and lift and carry up to 30 pounds repeatedly, with or without accommodation. Additionally, they must be able to bend, kneel, and work on hands and knees repeatedly, as well as use ladders and step stools. Fine motor skills are also essential, requiring an acceptable degree of dexterity in hands and fingers. Furthermore, the candidate must be able to work efficiently in stressful conditions including frequent interruptions, respond quickly to various medical situations, and rapidly process information with accuracy. Finally, they must be capable of working independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

COMPLEXITY:

A high degree of independent judgment is required. The nature of the job will vary. Diverse duties on a weekly basis as routine varies day to day. A strong attention to detail and the ability to respond to unexpected questions and comments is required. Must be able to maintain concentration on a task or series of tasks while dealing with frequent interruptions. Must be able to work well remotely, and without direct supervision. The ability to motivate, negotiate, and mediate is important when handling a variety of personalities and emotions. Must be able to communicate effectively and display cultural competency with many people with varying backgrounds.

COMMUNICATION/INTERPERSONAL CONTACT:

Regular verbal communication with department and other operational staff, as well as written communication via written standard operating procedures, memos, emails, charts and signs. Regular verbal communication with adopters, volunteers and clients through direct contact, over the telephone, or written communication.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Primarily indoor working conditions in an office/clinic setting for nine to twelve hours per day. Some work may be done in kennels or outdoors. Exposures to potential hazards include waste anesthetic gases, radiation, cleaning chemicals and disinfectants, formalin, needles, scalpel blades and other sharp hazards, animal bites and scratches, zoonotic diseases, animal hair, dander and wastes, pharmaceutical and biological agents, euthanasia solution, eye hazards, steam (from autoclave), wet floors, potential electrical hazards, constant noise (vacuum, fan, barking, alarms) and interruptions, back strain, exposure to cold or other hazards with walk-in freezer.

WORK HOURS:

Full-time, non-exempt, hourly position. Scheduled for 40 hours per week, generally scheduled over four ten-hour shifts. The Shelter and Veterinary Clinic are open 7 days per week including holidays; schedules may vary depending on coverage, holidays or emergencies.

SEATTLE HUMANE CORE VALUES:

Candidate should be committed to Seattle Humane’s Core Values:

Compassion
Accessibility
Innovation
Responsibility
Teamwork

The Benefits:

At Seattle Humane, we believe in investing in our people, you'll receive competitive benefits and perks, including full health & wellness coverage, generous paid time off starting at three weeks, 10 paid holidays, an employer matching retirement plan, personal pet allowance, employee sabbaticals, discounts, and you get to work around cute animals!

Check out our LIST of benefits and perks HERE

Sound like something you want to be a part of? Then apply today!

Who we are:

Seattle Humane is more than a shelter, we are a community resource center. We're meeting the increasing need for pet owner support services, so that families don't have to choose between an overdue bill and a beloved family member. We're training the next generation of veterinarians in our state-of-the-art medical center. We're building a community of animal advocates through our volunteer and youth education programs. The impact of Seattle Humane is life-changing, for the animals in our care and the people who love them. Our top priority is to connect animals in need of rescue with the people who will love them. Through our outreach, advocacy, and services, we strive to ensure that animal companionship is accessible to all.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

As an equal opportunity employer, Seattle Humane is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.