Licensed Veterinary Technician

Job Description

Job Description

We are pleased to offer a $5,000 sign-on bonus at time of hire!

BENEFITS:  

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plan options 

• 3 weeks paid time off + 10 paid holidays 

• 403(b) retirement account with employer match
• 1-month PAID sabbatical after every four years of employment 

• DVMs and LVTs receive an annual CE stipend
• Full-time LVTs are guaranteed 40 hours each week 

• Check out our full list of benefits and perks  HERE  

Non-Exempt role - Starting Wage: $32.39-$36.60/hour 

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 support a wide range of 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. 

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.

KEY OR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Patient Care & Nursing:

• Work independently to provide medical care as assigned by a Veterinarian (DVM).
• Provide daily nursing care to inpatients, shelter/foster patients, surgical patients, and public patients.
• Obtain diagnostics including digital radiography and positions, phlebotomy, in-house lab analyzer processing.
• Assist with intake and discharge of patients, sharing information in a friendly and professional manner.
• Infectious disease treatment, with a focus on Ringwork, Upper Respiratory Infection, Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease, Panleukopenia, and Parvovirus. 
• Perform animal husbandry duties including cleaning, feeding, watering, medicating, and monitoring all animals in the veterinary clinic to maintain high standards of care.
• Accurately prepare and dispense prescribed medications.
• Administer medications, vaccinations, and other treatments.
• IV catheter placement and maintenance.
• Assist with euthanasia, perform euthanasia if certified.

Surgery & Anesthesia:

• Lead the flow and function of HQHVSN surgeries with a surgical support team that sees 20-50 patients daily per DVM.
• Perform anesthetic induction, monitoring, and surgical recovery of patients.
• Ensure accurate drug calculations, management of surgical flow and accurate surgical record keeping.
• Responsible for surgical preparation for various surgical procedures including soft tissue, orthopedic, etc.
• Ability to work independently to obtain dental radiographs and perform dental prophylaxis.
• Assists with the intake and discharge of surgery patients. 
• Ability to respond appropriately to emergencies, assume a lead role when necessary and maintain competency in CPR procedures. 
  

Team & Operations:

• 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 communicate effectively regarding the medical needs of shelter animals.
• Communicate in a professional and effective manner with the public, staff, and volunteers.
• Represent Seattle Humane in a professional and courteous manner.
• Follow all written and verbally communicated standard operating procedures.
• Timely report any health, behavior, safety, or security concerns to supervisor.
• Model collaborative leadership and teamwork for the Veterinary Services team and across the organization.
• All other duties as 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

• Must be able to read, write, listen and communicate effectively.
• Experience in a veterinary setting or animal welfare field preferred.
• Familiarity with 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.

PHYSICAL & MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate for this role must possess certain physical and cognitive abilities. 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 varies, with diverse duties that change daily and weekly. 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:

Collaboration

Compassion

Accessibility

Respect

Adaptability

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.