Veterinary Technician

The Best Friend's Mission is to do nothing short of making history by creating a time when there are no more homeless pets. Our goal is that every animal shelter in every community in the country be no‑kill. We are looking for a Registered Veterinary Technician who wants to make a difference in the lives of homeless pets while maintaining a healthy work‑life balance. If you have experience or are eager to gain experience with neonates, high‑volume high‑quality spay/neuter, and shelter medicine, Best Friends may be the place for you. Location: West LA Work shift: Sun‑Thurs or Tues‑Sat 8am‑5pm PST Hiring Range: This position’s hiring rate is anticipated to be $30.00 - $35.00 per hour, commensurate with experience plus great benefits. Position Summary: Veterinary Technicians provide high‑quality medical care for animals in Best Friends lifesaving and veterinary programs. They are responsible for daily medical activities and supporting Best Friends veterinarians, acting with urgency to accomplish important tasks and playing a direct role in achieving Best Friends Animal Society’s no‑kill mission and organizational success. Culture Statement and Responsibility: We value attitude over aptitude and treat Kindness as a discipline because it is paramount in our culture along with our other Guiding Principles. Culture is how we talk to and treat ourselves and one another, how we generate and respond to change, how we plan and make decisions, and how we do what we do. Key Responsibilities Demonstrate kindness and the Golden Rule in everyday actions by practicing inclusion and respect for every person’s value. Be a role model for authenticity, kindness, and positive influence with colleagues, visitors, volunteers, and animals. Listen, be present, support others, and demonstrate compassion and curiosity in conflict. Perform basic medical care including but not limited to intravenous injections, blood draws, medicating, vaccinating, subcutaneous fluids, catheter placement, and microchipping under the direction of a veterinarian; maintain knowledge of sterile techniques, basic surgical instruments, general pharmacology, anesthesia monitoring, surgical induction, and recovery; understand humane restraint for procedures and emergency stabilization. Maintain a clean and disinfected working environment, manage controlled‑substance logs, and accurately enter and maintain patient and client medical data. Support, empower, and enable volunteers and foster parents, and assist with client communications including aftercare and emergency support. Provide basic care such as feeding, cleaning, walking, and socializing animals temporarily housed or transported within Lifesaving Center vehicles, buildings, or facilities. Deliver superior customer service; communicate and maintain knowledge of Best Friends and community partner programs. Work collaboratively with Best Friends team members in all operations to achieve lifesaving goals; follow policies, procedures, and task lists for daily outcomes, including timely communication, work completion, data entry, and recordkeeping. Maintain a safe workplace, value and model safe practices, adhere to safety rules, and communicate unsafe conditions to leadership. Required Skills and Experience Graduate from an AVMA‑accredited veterinary technician certification program and licensed in good standing by the appropriate state authority where required. Minimum of one year working experience as a veterinary technician or equivalent experience in an animal welfare or nonprofit setting (preferred). Bilingual or multilingual skills preferred but not required. Customer‑centric, non‑judgmental approach to engaging with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiar with a conversational adoption process. Ability to handle cats and dogs, including those with health or behavioral concerns; identify and communicate basic medical and behavioral characteristics. Strong interpersonal skills, a team player, personable, professional, and able to navigate sensitive and confidential situations. Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment with well‑developed organizational skills to juggle multiple competing tasks. Resourceful, initiative‑driven, problem‑solving, and persistent attitude. Proficiency with Microsoft Office products; familiarity with shelter software or desire to learn. Physical & Other Requirements Routinely lift 40 pounds and perform daily strenuous activity including lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending. Perform repetitive tasks for extended periods, such as typing, sitting, walking, arm, and hand motion. Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold. Exposure to dogs, cats, and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status. Work schedule may vary, including weekends and holiday work; daily hours and days may shift according to departmental needs. Benefits Competitive pay, including discretionary bonus based on performance. Health, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, short‑ and long‑term disability, and dependent care reimbursement. Flexible spending account and health savings account. Generous paid time off, nine paid holidays annually, and pet sitting reimbursement when traveling for work. Auto insurance discount, legal and identity theft coverage, and employee assistance program. Pawternity leave for employees to care for personal pets. Mental health support. Generous 401(k) savings plan. Equal Opportunity Employment: Best Friends Animal Society is an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or domestic partner status. Applicants for employment in the U.S. must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S. by Best Friends Animal Society. #J-18808-Ljbffr Best Friends Animal Society