Veterinary Technician (Full Time)

Overview

APA! BACKGROUND

The organization is a leader in the no kill movement with a nationwide profile in animal welfare. APA! locally rescues, treats, and adopts out 10,000 homeless dogs and cats each year, providing a safety net for Austin’s most at‑risk shelter pets and supporting other communities in saving homeless animals. The organization emphasizes grassroots, community‑based rescue work. Position Veterinary Technician Position Summary / Overview Our technicians rotate through different roles in the clinic including Wellness Technician, Emergency Technician, Hospital/Onsite Technician, and Prescription Technician. Once trained, our techs also assist in high volume spay/neuter surgery, including recovery of patients, Gopher tech role, and ultimately Surgery Technician. Our veterinary technicians are crucial to the success of our lifesaving programs, providing hands‑on care and treatment to the 10,000+ animals who come through our doors every year. This is a full‑time, nonexempt position reporting to the Medical Clinic Manager on duty or another designated by APA! The Veterinary Technician advances APA!’s Clinic Team goals by supporting a sustainable, inclusive, high‑impact model for shelter operations and increasing the live release rate across Texas. The role involves managing daily responsibilities, prioritizing tasks, delivering consistent, high‑quality work, staying organized, using data/feedback to inform decisions, and following through with minimal oversight. This is a hands‑on, mission‑driven role focused on results, reliability, and teamwork. APA! is volunteer‑powered, so staff work alongside volunteers to create a positive, inclusive environment and a culture of mutual respect. This position may involve shift flexibility, weekend hours, and responsiveness during times of high need. A core part of this role is creating a welcoming and empowering experience for volunteers, including onboarding, training, and volunteer engagement as part of day‑to‑day workflow. Working Relationships This position reports to the Medical Clinic Management team, specifically the Clinic Team Manager. It will work closely with fosters, adopters, other clinic staff and APA! veterinary staff, and requires regular communication with other teams to provide quality patient care. Duties / Responsibilities Actively contribute to a volunteer‑powered culture by partnering with volunteers during every shift and helping create an inclusive, welcoming environment Work alongside volunteers to complete daily tasks, ensuring the work is shared and collaborative Support the recruitment and onboarding process by welcoming new volunteers and helping them get oriented to the program Help retain volunteers by offering encouragement, guidance, and feedback Recommend strong volunteers for deeper involvement or specialized roles to your supervisor or volunteer manager Contribute to a positive culture by recognizing volunteer contributions through appreciation and shoutouts Help set volunteers up for success by clearly explaining tasks, providing hands‑on guidance, and offering in‑the‑moment support Level 0.5: Veterinary Technician in Training Typical proficiencies expected to move up to Level 1. Complete hospitalized treatment from beginning to end, at any complexity level Manage wellness appointment schedule efficiently and on time Follow technician protocols independently Understand x‑ray positioning and terminology Use med chart proficiently Job duties may include some or all of the above, and other duties as assigned by manager Level 1: Veterinary Technician (Typical work functions) General Able to train for all non‑surgical roles: Wellness, Emergency, Hospital/Onsite and Prescription Technician; learn the duties quickly and be willing to take on solo shifts within 30 days Ability to complete everything on the veterinary technician training checklist within 6 months, with surgical duties as an exception Treats animals with compassion and professionalism Works professionally with staff, volunteers, and visitors Arrives on time and remains present for shifts to support other tasks as needed Elevates medical concerns to Clinic Managers, Veterinarians, and Medical Directors per APA protocols Administers medications as prescribed and within required timeframes Performs blood draws; point‑of‑care diagnostics; PCV/TP; basic microscopy Administers vaccines and maintains data and records; rabies vaccinations with Veterinarian approval Performs radiographs with assistance Maintains thorough patient histories and communicates information to veterinarians Basic software knowledge: ShelterLuv, Waitwhile, Google Suite Ensures a safe, clean, and sanitary work environment Provide excellent customer service to clients Wellness Technician Provide quality and timely wellness care for scheduled clinic clients Follow vet‑approved protocols for diagnostics and treatment of routine concerns Seek manager or vet involvement for non‑routine/chronic patients Communicate clearly with fosters/adopters about animals in their care Prepare for daily appointments by reviewing medical history in advance Maintain updated records during and after each appointment Assist other team members during downtime Emergency Technician Provide quality, time‑efficient care for offsite, emergency, and urgent cases Triage and respond to urgent, critical, and contagious animals Follow veterinarian instructions for diagnostics and treatment Communicate with fosters, adopters, and staff; provide handouts at discharge when applicable Prepare for daily appointments; maintain updated records Hospitalized/Onsite Technician Provide scheduled treatments for hospitalized animals Administer medications per protocols; monitor and document illness symptoms Coordinate intake and care for hospitalized animals with receptionists and clinic managers Triage urgent/contagious cases; round with cat and dog teams to address medical concerns Ensure hand‑off of hospitalized patients with medications/treatments Prescription Technician Fill prescriptions accurately and timely Learn dosages and calculate doses based on weight and concentration Review medical records to ensure prescriptions are appropriate Follow veterinarian‑approved protocols; communicate with caregivers about prescriptions Maintain updated records; prepare at‑home packs as needed Level 2 & 3, Recovery, Gopher, and Other Roles Level 2 and Recovery/Gopher roles include duties from Level 1 plus specialized responsibilities in surgery support, radiology, microscopy, anesthesia assistance, and leadership duties. Job duties may include some or all of the above, and other duties as assigned by the manager. Level 3 Lead Veterinary Technician responsibilities include leading clinical procedures, operating anesthesia equipment, supervising Level 1 and 2 staff, and handling client communications and training progress. Other Functions Demonstrate dependability, accountability, time management, judgment, and reasoning skills Attend required training sessions and meetings Maintain open communication with Program Manager or designee, supervisor, and colleagues Collaborate with Volunteer Managers to engage volunteers in your department Adapt to change and perform related duties as needed Be available for evenings, weekends, and holidays Work in a high‑volume, fast‑paced environment Work autonomously with goals and deadlines Required Qualifications Preferred 6 months of experience as a veterinary technician or surgery experience; customer‑facing role preferred but not required Proficiency in standard veterinary technician skills (handling, restraint, blood draws, diagnostics, skin scrapes, TPR, injections, catheter placement) Moderate to expert veterinary pharmacy knowledge Basic knowledge of common illnesses/injuries; ability to run basic medical tests Accurate drug calculations and prescription labeling Ability to transcribe veterinarian notes Ability to work independently in a busy environment Current valid driver’s license desired for occasional transport needs Expectations Commitment to APA!’s Core Values: Innovation, Respect, Drive, Resourcefulness, Inclusion; and cultural values: Humble, Hungry, Smart Strong collaboration with staff, volunteers, and customers to create a successful and inclusive experience Focus on volunteer engagement and supporting volunteers across roles Cross‑functional cooperation; serve as liaison between volunteers, customers, and team members Effective written and verbal communication; interpret rules and procedures Self‑starter with time management; work independently and collaboratively Excellent interpersonal skills with a calm, professional presence Attention to detail and high standards for quality Ability to adapt to change and perform related duties Commitment to delivering an exceptional and inclusive customer experience Commitment to APA!’s no kill mission and care philosophies Willingness to work with volunteers and staff as needed Physical Job Requirements Ability to lift 40–50 pounds routinely Comfort around animals, loud noises, odors, and chemicals; indoor/outdoor work in all weather Ability to interact with cats/dogs of varying health levels, including zoonotic diseases Work in a medical clinic environment and witness medical procedures Stand for extended periods; good visual and hearing abilities; mobility on uneven surfaces Pass required dog handling training; focus in loud environments Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed Work Environment Clinic environment with some outside work Exposure to odors, noises, bites, scratches, and animal waste Potential exposure to contagious diseases; rapid pace and hazards Comfort witnessing veterinary procedures; travel between locations as needed Time Commitment Full‑time, nonexempt, average ~40 hours per week Shift and schedule flexibility; weekly schedule subject to change Evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed Locations Hwy 290 Medical Clinic – 4942 W Hwy 290, Austin, TX 78735 APA! Main – Town Lake Animal Center, 1156 West Cesar Chavez, Austin, TX 78703 Occasional travel to offsite locations Benefits Austin Pets Alive! offers a competitive benefits package for full‑time employees, including medical coverage, life insurance, dental, vision, disability options, wellness and emergency sick plans, a 401(k) plan with up to 2% match, flexible spending accounts, paid holidays, PTO accrual, and professional development opportunities. Equal Employment Opportunities and Accommodations Austin Pets Alive! is an equal employment opportunity employer. We encourage applicants from communities most impacted by our work, including people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, women, transgender and gender non‑conforming people, and people with disabilities. We do not discriminate on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law. APA! is committed to diversity, inclusion, respect, and innovation. To request accommodations, contact Talent Acquisition at View email address on click.appcast.io at least one week in advance of your interview. #J-18808-Ljbffr Austin Pets Alive!