Job Details
Job Type
Part-time
Description
Part-time, Mondays (8 to 10 hour shifts, no holidays)
Reports to Hospital Director
The Richmond SPCA is one of our region's most beloved non-profit organizations. As a national no-kill leader in animal welfare, the Richmond SPCA is building a more compassionate community through the delivery of crucial programs of pet adoption, retention, training, advocacy, humane education, and more. Annually, we rescue, rehabilitate, and adopt out nearly 4,000 homeless animals while also providing our community with vital safety net programs designed to keep pets in loving homes and out of shelters.
The Richmond SPCA is seeking a full-time licensed veterinary technician to work in the Susan M. Markel Veterinary Hospital. The Susan M. Markel Veterinary Hospital is a full-service, low-cost hospital which serves the public. Our mission is to prevent pet relinquishment due to cost of veterinary care.
Licensed veterinary technicians play an essential role in our mission. These team members are key to providing high-quality medical care to pets who may otherwise not have access to these needed services. This position is a great opportunity to join an established, well-recognized private no-kill humane society.
Essential Functions
- Handle and track controlled substances for hospital patients
- Ensure prompt and accurate record-keeping procedures are adhered to
- Efficiently pre-medicate, induce, intubate, and monitor surgical patients as necessary
- Respond appropriately during emergencies and take direction from veterinarians
- Provide exceptional patient care for surgical, hospitalized pets, and outpatients
- Communicate effectively and empathetically with clients
- Maintain existing work systems
- Partnered with the veterinarian on the floor to manage hospital flow and patient care in surgery and in rooms
- Able to perform all job functions of a veterinary assistant
- Attend and participate in all required trainings and meetings
- Ability to recognize a need for assistance and ask for help
- Other job-related duties as assigned
Requirements
- Excellent customer service skills; effective, empathetic communication
- Comfort handling/learning to handle both dogs and cats, including fearful or fractious patients
- Ability to work in a high-volume, fast-paced environment
- Weekday availability, no weekend work required
- 18 years of age or older
- Reliable transportation, including during inclement weather
- Hold a current LVT license in good standing in the State of Virginia
Qualifications, Skills and Expectations- Professional communication skills and comfort speaking with others, including coworkers
- Ability to multi-task, take and follow directions, adapt to and accommodate changing demands
- Strong work ethic
- Punctual and reliable
- Uncompromising commitment to the wellbeing of patients
- Able to work independently at times
- Team-oriented
- Resourceful, positive, can-do attitude
- Excellent time management and prioritization skills
- Strong computer skills and ability to learn new computer systems (knowledge of Avimark a plus)
- Prior experience in a shelter, fast-paced hospital or high-volume sterilization services a plus
- Well-versed in basic wellness and medical knowledge
- Comfortable with basic LVT skills (e.g., IV catheter placement, blood draw, anesthetic induction/intubation/maintenance/monitoring, surgical prep)
- Able to monitor anesthesia, with a clear idea of abnormal conditions
- Experience performing dental treatments preferred
Physical Job Requirements- Able to routinely lift 50 lbs.
- Able to push/pull a large cart
- Able to work around animals (including those who are sick or injured or who have behavior challenges), loud noises, cat litter, animal waste, and various chemicals
- Able to bend, kneel and use your arms in a repetitive manner
- Able to stoop
- Able to physically restrain a dog up to 50 lbs.
- Able to be on your feet for 8 to 10 hours at a time
- Have physical strength to perform cleaning duties effectively and efficiently
Work Environment- Rapid pace with exposure to potential hazards including animal waste and disinfectants
- High levels of noise
- Potential for animal bites and scratches and diseases that are zoonotic (can be transmitted from animals to people)
All employees are eligible to become clients of the low-cost, full-service Susan M. Markel Veterinary Hospital of the Richmond SPCA. The Richmond SPCA is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Salary Description
$25 - $27 per hour