Licensed Veterinary Technician

Humane Society for Southwest Washington; Vancouver (WA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Employee Assistance Program

Access to life and disability insurance

Job summary

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is seeking a full-time Licensed Veterinary Technician in Vancouver, WA. This role involves planning surgery schedules, monitoring patients during anesthesia, and maintaining surgical instruments. Candidates need WA State Certification and experience in veterinary practices. The position comes with benefits like health insurance and a retirement plan. Join a team committed to animal welfare and excellence in care.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1-year experience performing feline/canine dental procedures.
• Minimum of 1-year work experience in high-volume, high-quality Spay/Neuter.

Responsibilities

• Help plan and organize daily surgery schedule.
• Assist with daily care of surgical patients.
• Monitor physiological parameters of patients during anesthesia.

Skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Strong customer service skills

Detail-oriented

Ability to monitor anesthesia

Ability to lift 50 lbs safely

Education

WA State Certification as a Licensed Veterinary Technician

Job description

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is currently seeking a Licensed Veterinary Technician for a full‑time, FLSA non‑exempt opportunity.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Help plan and organize the daily surgery schedule.
• Assist with daily care of surgical patients and disease control protocols.
• Maintain a clean, sterile, and functioning prep and surgery room.
• Clean and maintain surgical instruments; prepare surgical packs.
• Provide anesthetic induction and surgical prep.
• Monitor physiological parameters of patients undergoing anesthesia.
• Assist surgeon.
• Assist when needed for recovery patient intervention.
• Enter surgery records into the database and complete appropriate paperwork.
• Clean and disinfect tables, floors, kennels, and surgery equipment.
• Discharge patients and provide education to clients.

Treatment Of All Patients Under Care

• Assist veterinarian in examinations, treatments, and diagnostics.
• Input data into ezyVet regarding exams, medications, and treatments.
• Demonstrate and teach technical skills and proper sanitation protocols and procedures to other staff members of HSSW who engage in animal care.
• Educate, train, and assist clinic volunteers.
• Clean and maintain areas of the community clinic.

Professional and Friendly Service to Internal and External Clients

• Educate clients on pre‑ and post‑surgical care of their animals.
• Partner with volunteers and take an active role in their training, integration, safety, performance, and job satisfaction.
• Respond to inquiries and concerns from foster care volunteers.
• Provide training to staff/volunteers on disease control standards, community medicine protocols, and foster care guidelines.
• Provide advice and resources on HSSW programs and other animal welfare‑related topics.
• Provide orientation and training to veterinary technician students and veterinary assistants.
• Attend Continuing Education.

General Operations

• Assist with inventory and ordering supplies, including managing controlled substance logs and inventory.
• Maintain appropriate records and documents.
• Promote a safe working environment and follow safety protocols.
• Maintain equipment in good working condition.
• Promote the development of skills related to the advancement of our goals and mission.
• Represent HSSW in a professional and courteous manner.
• Provide quality service to customers, volunteers, and staff, recognizing their individual contribution to the success of the organization.
• Take immediate action to address any safety concerns or noncompliance with rules that could pose risk to employees, volunteers, clients, animals, or the organization.
• Assist with euthanasia.
• Take initiative to perform other duties as needed.

Full‑Time Employee Benefits

Employees enjoy the following benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance benefits effective the first of the month after hire.
• Matching 401(k) retirement plan with a 3‑year graded vestment schedule and a ROTH contribution option.
• Employee Assistance Program for all household members.
• Section 125 FSA Cafeteria Plan for out‑of‑pocket health and/or dependent day‑care expenses.
• Numerous employee discounts and discounts with partner organizations.
• Access to affordable life, disability, and accidental supplemental insurance.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer (PSLF).

Culture

Vision: A community where everyone loves and cares for animals.

Mission: Rescue. Return. Restore. Rehome. Reconnect. One animal at a time.

Values: Compassion. Collaboration. Excellence. Service. Integrity.

The Ultimate Team Player

• Displays interest, enthusiasm, and an affinity for working with people.
• Demonstrates an attitude of being of‑service, using good judgment, maintaining a positive outlook, and ideally, a sense of humor.
• Works well in teams and demonstrates an attitude and commitment to collaboration with a sincere interest in helping others succeed.
• Is committed to achieving excellence individually and as a part of the team.
• Exhibits adaptability, curiosity, flexibility to change, open to new ideas, and encourages others to recognize changes in work tasks, situations, and environment as opportunities for transformation.
• Is committed to personal and professional development through life‑long learning.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• WA State Certification as a Licensed Veterinary Technician (or ability to obtain within a reasonable time).

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 1‑year experience performing feline/canine dental procedures.
• Minimum of 1‑year work experience in high‑volume, high‑quality Spay/Neuter.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Effective organization skills.
• Shows initiative and is a conscientious worker.
• Ability to operate multiple tasks in a demanding environment.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. safely and carry it a minimum of twenty‑five feet.
• Detail‑oriented and exercises good judgment when working/communicating with the public on animal‑related concerns.
• Committed to the mission, vision, and values of HSSW.
• Recognizes the importance of Spay/Neuter as a means to end pet overpopulation.
• Ability to maintain and organize written and computerized records.
• Comfortable monitoring anesthesia and assisting surgeon.
• Remains aware of how flexibility, professionalism, and teamwork contribute to the success of the organization.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

The Licensed Veterinary Technician must be able to work and communicate with people and groups. For most of a shift, essential duties include standing, walking, sitting, talking, hearing, listening, stooping, bending, squatting, kneeling, stretching, grasping, and gripping, putting fingers together firmly, reaching above and below shoulder level, flexing the neck upward and downward, twisting the neck and the waist. Additional essential duties include lifting, pushing, pulling, and/or carrying up to 50 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed in a clinical environment with exposure to environmental conditions that include working with and near animals, high noise levels, zoonotic diseases, animal bites and scratches, cleaning chemicals, allergens, and potential exposure to infectious diseases on personally owned animals. The primary workplace is at an animal shelter that operates 7 days per week.

This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an “at‑will” relationship. HSSW participates in E‑Verify.