Veterinary Trainer & Externship Specialist - Veterinary Hospital

Dumb Friends League; Denver (CO); On-site; Full time

Job summary

The Dumb Friends League seeks a Veterinary Trainer & Externship Specialist to enhance veterinary care through training and mentorship at their facility in Denver. This role involves creating training programs, overseeing externship coordination, and providing direct support to veterinary staff, ensuring high-quality care for animals and effective training methods within the community.

Benefits

Flexible spending accounts (FSA)

401(k) with matching

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Holiday Pay

Sabbatical

Employee Assistance Program

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in a veterinary setting.
• Experience providing on the job training.
• Current registration as a Veterinary Technician in Colorado.

Responsibilities

• Oversee skills-based training for veterinary support staff.
• Coordinate and support externships for veterinary students.
• Create training manuals and materials.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Project Management

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Associate degree in veterinary technology

Tools

Microsoft Office Programs

Job description

Description

Humane Colorado's Veterinary Hospital at CSU Spur team members provide access to high quality veterinary urgent care using an incremental care approach for under-served populations in our community. This position plays a critical role in helping to prevent and alleviate suffering of animals in our community, maximize our impact, enhance the dignity of our clients, and work collaboratively with the veterinary community.

Humane Colorado's Veterinary Hospital at the CSU Spur campus, is just north of downtown Denver, and is part of the redevelopment of the National Western Center. On the Spur campus, the veterinary hospital will incorporate learning opportunities for the public, through our surgery and dental suites, along with an exam room, that is on view to the public.

Purpose of Position: The Veterinary Trainer & Externship Specialist oversees specific skills-based training for support staff within the Community Veterinary Service team at Humane Colorado. In addition, they coordinate externships and internships across all veterinary positions at the hospital, with a focus on supporting the DVM externship program for 4th year veterinary students.

Responsibilities

• Create, develop, implement, and oversee skills-based training programs for veterinary support staff, including veterinary assistants, veterinary apprentices and interns based upon guidance from leadership.
• Acts as a mentor and coach to new hires on the veterinary team, providing direct feedback and training
• In partnership with the Clinical & Surgical Instructor Veterinarian, coordinate and provide administrative support for the 4th year veterinary student externship program, including scheduling, communications with externs, participating in orientation, and entering grades.
• Coordinate and provide administrative support for other internship programs, including scheduling, communications with interns/program coordinators, conducting orientation, and entering grades/evaluations
• In partnership with leadership, select and assign instructors to conduct specific components of the training process, when appropriate.
• Create and/or acquire Job Instruction Training (JIT) and/or training procedure manuals, guides, and materials.
• Works in a technical capacity as an RVT up to 75% of the time
• Suggest and implement appropriate changes and updates to SOPs.
• In partnership with Human Resources and leadership, evaluate skills-based training effectiveness through assessments, surveys, and feedback.
• Maintain knowledge of the latest trends in training and adult learning.
• Maintain safe animal handling skills, including the ability to handle dangerous/fractious animals.
• Partner with departments as needed to ensure Humane Colorado’s facilities and equipment are in good working order.
• As requested, provide reports to Philanthropy, Marketing, Communications, and Education teams, including content for impact reports regarding Humane Colorado’s externship program for veterinary students.

People Care

People are the key to fulfilling our mission. Making internal and external patrons and their needs a primary focus is expected in all situations. This position interacts with and collaborates with employees at all levels of the organization. Communication occurs through face to face, telephone, and electronic interactions and may also include contact with the general public and business partners. Communication and contact must be clear, understandable, cooperative, professional and respectful in all circumstances. Employees are expected to actively support a positive team environment, directly address conflict, and appropriately express concerns.

Competencies

Competencies are work behaviors and expectations necessary for successful job performance. They encompass knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and actions. Additional definitions for competencies may be obtained from Human Resources.

Organizational Key Competencies

• Integrity and Ethics
• Adapting to Change and Ambiguity
• Customer and Community Focus
• Emotional Intelligence
• Excellence

Position Key Competencies

• Analytical thinking
• Conflict management

Supervisory or Managerial Responsibility

• Volunteers

Travel

• This position requires travel to other work sites

Full Time Benefits – Please visit our website for a comprehensive list of all offered benefits.

• Benefits (medical, dental, and vision)
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
• League-paid Life and Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Holiday Pay
• 401(k) with matching
• Sabbatical
• Paid Sick Time
• Employee Assistance Program
• And more!

Compensation: Starting at $23.40-$26.00 + $3 per hour Registered Veterinary Technician Differential (starting pay commensurate with market, experience, and equity)

Work Conditions and Physical Requirements

Handle and restrain animals of various sizes, weights, and temperaments. Subject to animal bites or scratches. Work performed in high noise level areas. Exposure to cleaning chemicals, fumes, dust, animal dander, and feces. Physical efforts require constant bending, stooping, standing, climbing stairs, and walking. Frequent lifting of animals and objects up to 50 lbs. with reasonable accommodation.

We will begin reviewing applications as they are received and anticipate closing the application period on June 19, 2025.

Requirements

Position Qualifications

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Programs
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Strong organization, coordination, and project management skills
• Ability to follow timelines for projects, accomplish multiple tasks, and maintain flexibility in a dynamic work environment

Required

• Education: Associate degree in veterinary technology or equivalent experience working as a veterinary technician
• Work Experience: Two years of experience in a veterinary setting, with experience providing on the job training, curriculum design and delivery, or other applicable work providing hands-on training
• Special Training, Certification or Licensure: Current registration or able to register as a Veterinary Technician through the Colorado Department of Regulatory Affairs

Desired

• Experience working with handling animals in a veterinary hospital or similar environment