Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Role Summary:

Cornerstone Animal Center is seeking a passionate and skilled Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) to join our new spay/neuter and wellness clinic in Visalia, California, who is dedicated to improving animal welfare in California’s Central Valley by providing nursing care for high-quality, affordable veterinary care for the pets and families of our community.  

The ideal candidate is a confident and compassionate Registered Veterinary Technician with demonstrated experience in High Quality High Volume Spay/Neuter (HQHVSN) surgery who thrives in a fast-paced clinical environment. In addition to surgical nursing duties, this RVT will deliver, under the direction of a veterinarian, routine wellness services including vaccinations, preventive care, and client education, embodying our mission to make essential veterinary care accessible to all. We are looking for a team member who shares our commitment to teamwork, a positive attitude for problem-solving, and a desire to learn and grow. 

Core Responsibilities

  Veterinary Care

• Know how to perform a basic physical exam, and recognize normal and abnormal parameters in a variety of canine and feline patients 
• Be able to recognize signs of pain and distress. 
• Understanding of infectious disease in patients and control 
• Be able to simultaneously monitor multiple patients at various stages of anesthesia  
• Be able to recognize and appropriately respond to anesthetic emergencies 
• Knowledge of principles of sterility, maintain sterile fields 
• Prepare patients for surgery, assist in surgery when required 
• Know how to operate an anesthesia machine 
• Know how to operate various anesthesia monitoring equipment 
• Knowledge of commonly used veterinary surgical equipment 
• Be familiar with commonly used veterinary drugs 
• Induction of veterinary anesthetic drugs 
• Intubation of feline and canine patients of various sizes 
• IV catheter placement 
• Be able to calculate drug and fluid dosages  
• Familiarity with veterinary terminology and abbreviations 
• Perform venipuncture, and intramuscular and subcutaneous injections 
• Knowledge of common surgical instrument names, surgical instrument care  
• Be able to operate an autoclave machine 
• Comply with all laws pertaining to controlled substances, record keeping and drug logs  
• Be familiar with and apply stress-free animal handling and restraint techniques 
• Perform other duties as required—take radiographs, laboratory work, drug log, and patient charting 
• Able to interpret treatment sheets and administer treatment to patients (PO, topically, otic, ocular) under the direction of a veterinarian  
• Facilitate good working relationships through teamwork and collaboration. 
• Proactively communicate with other team members to assure excellent patient care  
• Keep up to date in veterinary medicine with regular continuing education. 

Administrative Duties  

• Maintain and create patient records by accurately recording treatments, surgery notes, examinations, and test results on computerized patient charts and other medical records 
• Read and respond to work related e-mails at least one time per shift 
• Participate in regular staff meetings and medical rounds 

Client and Community Service

• Practice and encourage the humane treatment of animals 
• Handle and discharge animals from the clinic in a responsive, courteous, and tactful manner  
• Inform clients of any pertinent medical information regarding animal care  
• Provide quality customer service to clients, volunteers, and staff while actively promoting our mission, services, programs and events 
• Promote donation and giving opportunities as appropriate  

Safety  

• Ensure a safe work environment by following all safety guidelines and modeling safe work practices (to include animals, equipment, drugs, chemicals, radiology, sharps, biohazardous material) 
• Take immediate action to address any safety concerns that could put a staff member, volunteer, customer, animal, or the organization at risk 
• Maintain a clean, healthy, and sanitary work area 

Volunteers  

• Work cooperatively with all volunteers and recognize the talent and commitment they bring to the Center 
• Mentors and trains volunteers as needed 

Diversity and Inclusiveness   

• Work effectively with individuals and colleagues from diverse communities and cultures.  

Open Communication  

• Facilitate and participate in open, direct communication  

Reporting Relationships and Contacts:  

• Reports to the Executive Director 

• Registered Veterinary Technician in the state of California 
• High school diploma or equivalent certification 
• Exposure to common veterinary hospital equipment and tools  
• 1 year of anesthesia experience in a veterinary setting 
• Experience in field medicine or surgery, animal welfare, or high volume spay/neuter clinic a plus 
• Commitment to the mission, values, goals, and success of Cornerstone Animal Center. 
• Knowledge of the rules and regulations of what an RVT can perform as provided by the California Veterinary Medical Board 
• Experience with safe and humane animal handling and restraint techniques of healthy, ill, and unsocialized or feral animals 
• Comfortable working in an environment that adheres to infectious disease protocols  
• Computer literate and able to master veterinary software as applicable to clinic operations 
• Knowledge of basic dog and cat physiology, anatomy, and behavior as it relates to understanding the general health of animals. 
• Understanding of advanced clinical veterinary skills: anesthesia, pharmacology, disease process, injury, emergency medicine and veterinary medical equipment. 
• Ability to understand and communicate pertinent medical information with colleagues and clients 
• Self motivated and able to initiate and complete tasks 
• Professional attitude and appearance; maturity, positivity and good judgment 

Salary & Benefits  

The starting salary for this position depends on the depth and breadth of experience. The expected rate is $27-$29 per hour .  

Regular Full Time and Part Time 30+ positions are eligible for a benefits package including: Paid Time Off and holiday pay, medical, dental & vision insurance, tax-deferred retirement plan.   

Cornerstone Animal Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This job description reflects the assignment of essential functions and does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Cornerstone Animal Center is an at-will employer and may conduct pre-employment background checks and drug screening depending on the role.