A Northwest leader in protecting animals since 1967, the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) shelters homeless animals, rehabilitates injured and orphaned wildlife, and empowers people to demonstrate compassion and respect for animals in their daily lives.

Position Title:               Shelter Licensed Veterinary Technician – Full-time 

Starting Wage:              $30.00-$35.00/hr

Purpose Summary:

To provide for the comfort and health care for animals at the shelter, assisting the veterinary and shelter team with the daily activities of the PAWS Spay/Neuter Clinic and medical program helping to maintain efficient shelter health operations. 

VALUES
All employees and volunteers exemplify the values of PAWS and exhibit mindful demonstration of:

           Commitment – A champion for animals no matter the difficulty.

           Compassion – Acting to ease pain and distress.

           Kindness – Demonstrating caring toward all living beings.

           Respect – Welcoming to people of all backgrounds and identities.

           Trust – Believing in the ability and positive intention of others.

Essential Responsibilities:

In accordance with organizational policies, duties include but are not limited to:

• Performs daily activities of PAWS' Spay/Neuter Clinic, including scheduling of surgeries; drawing and processing of lab work, taking digital radiographs, preparation of animals for surgery; assisting veterinarians during surgery; and monitoring conditions of animals before, during and after surgery. performing dental procedures and taking radiographs.  Helps ensure the surgery day runs in an efficient manner while maintaining the safety of patients.
• Provides accurate information and courteous service to the public, both in person and through phone calls, about all aspects of animal care and shelter operations.
• Works directly with the veterinarians, veterinary assistants, and operational staff to assure the safety and health of animals at the clinic and to assure that all procedures at the clinic are performed in a highly efficient and effective manner.
• Maintains a level of cleanliness and sanitation necessary for the function of the clinic, maintains equipment in good working order, reports structural or operational problems or deficiencies that may affect the care of animals or the operation of the clinic. 
• Under direction of management, euthanizes animals per written policies and procedures using sodium pentobarbital.
• Maintains a system of record keeping for all animals treated at the clinic. Accurately completes paperwork and enters information into the shelter database program. Maintains complete and accurate record keeping, including controlled substance logs, surgery, and exam records, etc.
• Administers immunizations, medications, and treatment for injuries or illness as prescribed by a veterinarian and provides other health care, including performing dental procedures, to animals as provided in written policies and procedures.

• Performs daily activities to assist the veterinary staff. These duties include emergency and critical care treatment, pre-medicating, restraint and handling of animals, routine collection and analysis and shipment of laboratory diagnostic samples (for in-house and outside labs), radiographic positioning and imaging, anesthetic induction and monitoring and assisting in surgery as needed.
• Performs all duties related to purchasing of pharmaceuticals, hospital, and laboratory supplies, maintaining pharmaceutical inventory, and properly disposing of expired drugs and supplies.

• Maintains complete and accurate patient records in PAWS’ Petpoint database. Ensures accuracy in the controlled substance logbooks.

• Performs automated and manual laboratory tests, including hematology, parasitology, and cytology.
• Maintains and sterilizes surgical packs and instruments. 
• Performs hospital maintenance and cleaning, including sterilization and organization of medical and laboratory equipment, maintenance of other equipment, and maintenance of oxygen supply for the spay/neuter clinic.
• Assists veterinarians and veterinary students with restraint of animals during physical exams. 
• Assists veterinarians with foster appointments, including checking animals in for appointments, restraint of animals for exams, and communicating discharge instructions to the foster parents after appointments.
• Assists with daily care and monitoring of shelter animals, which may involve feeding, cleaning, and observing health status.

• Assists in maintaining the clinic pharmacy, including ordering medications and equipment.

Other responsibilities Include:  

• Cleans all animal housing and treatment areas and provides food, care, and socialization for animals per written procedures.
• Assists clients during low-income surgery days, and foster parents during re-checks and visits.
• Provides assistance to management with the evaluations of medical and behavioral needs of animals in the shelter by maintaining accurate records and status changes.
• Assists in training shelter staff in methods and procedures of evaluating and treating animal health care problems.
• Oversees, trains, and aids volunteers in day-to-day performance of their duties.
• Humanely euthanizes shelter patients according to written policies and procedures and under the direction of a veterinarian.
• Ensures compliance with established disease control, and health and safety rules and communicates directly with the shelter staff to ensure consistency and good communication.
• Displaying a positive attitude and acts as a motivating force for all staff members.
• Trains shelter staff, and new staff members to utilize our patient care protocols. Assists in supporting the training of Veterinary interns and externs as needed.
• Responds appropriately during an emergency, able to take directions from a veterinarian and direct others during the event and maintain competency during emergency procedures.  
• Provides daily care for animals while in the hospital and/or in quarantine when shelter staff are unavailable, including feeding, cleaning, and observing health status.
• Remains current on veterinary technology methods through literature review, attending conferences, meetings and workshops, and networking with the veterinary technology community.
• May be assigned other duties by the CAS Veterinarian or CAS Management Team.

Controls over Work

Veterinary Technicians work under the direct supervision of the CAS Veterinarians and are expected to perform the established duties per daily schedules.

Physical Requirements:

Candidates must be able to lift a minimum of forty (40) pounds and heavier weights with the assistance of another staff. Work is performed both in and out of the shelter that requires lifting, bending, stooping, pushing and other moderately strenuous activities, and must be able to stand for long periods of time.

Benefits:

Generous benefits available including health/vision/dental/long-term disability/life insurance for employees and their families, enrollment in 403(b) plan with employer contribution and match, paid time off (PTO) starting with accrual of up to 15 days annually, sick leave accrued on all hours worked, 10 paid holidays per year, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), pet supply discounts, and discounts for veterinary services at select veterinary clinics. PAWS is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

PAWS is an equal opportunity employer. PAWS employment decisions are made based on merit and business needs. PAWS is committed to recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds, regardless of actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. We celebrate the diversity of individual unique identity, perspectives, and experiences and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

We encourage ALL to apply.

All PAWS positions receive written performance evaluations after the first 90 days and annually thereafter.

Application process:

Upload your Cover Letter stating your qualifications and why you are interested in this position, your Resume, and complete the online Application.

(PAWS | Progressive Animal Welfare Society Job Posting | PAWS)

Only Complete Application Packets will receive consideration.

Position Open Until Filled. Hiring Immediately.

Note: Under the provisions of the Immigration and Reform Act of 1986, the successful candidate will be required to provide both evidence of identity and eligibility for employment.

All Offers of Employment are Conditional, based on successful completion of reference and background checks.

Requirements

• Licensed/registered Veterinary Technician degree from accredited organization and in good standing in the State of Washington (able to receive their WA license if relocating to WA).
• Associate in Veterinary Technology Degree from an AVMA-accredited program preferred.

• Inclined to work daily with companion animals and have a basic understanding of the needs and behavior of domestic cats and dogs. Must be able to handle individual animals in a caring, safe, and humane manner.
• Must be available Monday – Thursday with some flexibility. Additionally, required to work 1-2 holidays annually on a rotating basis.

• Currently or can become certified in Washington State to perform humane euthanasia.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Able to work cooperatively with people and to communicate clearly about PAWS’ mission, the care and treatment of animals, and the safety of the public and other employees. Must be able to always represent PAWS professionally.
• Preference may be given to candidates with previous experience working with animals in a humane society, animal shelter or veterinary clinic.
• Important considerations for this position include the abilities to handle animals safely and humanely and to always communicate clearly.
• Ideal candidates embrace and embody the five core values of the organization: commitment, compassion, respect, kindness, and trust.