Registered Veterinary Technician

Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe

Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)

Part time, non exempt

Humane Society of Truckee Tahoe (HSTT)

Founded in 1994, HSTT has grown from a small, grassroots, non-profit organization to a leading animal welfare organization in the Lake Tahoe region. Our mission is to save and improve the lives of pets through adoptions, community spay/neuter services, and humane education programs. For more information, please visit www.hstt.org 

Summary of Position

The RVT plays a vital role in overseeing the health and well-being of shelter pets and clinic operations to ensure exceptional medical oversight and care is provided to the animals in our care. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide outstanding humane care for our patients and clients.


• Work collaboratively with other HSTT departments to establish strong lines of communication and ensure cross-functional efficiencies.


• Handle all animals safely and humanely using proper restraint and low-stress handling techniques; model best practices and hold staff and volunteers accountable for the same.


• Act as clinic manager on duty when the clinic manager is unavailable. 


• Assess patients for treatment with thorough physical exams.


• Prepare and restrain animals for exams or procedures. This may include sterilization of work areas and administering pre-surgical injections.


• Provide vaccinations and microchips to clients on a weekly basis


• Work on lab procedures and perform blood work. Operate microscope, centrifuge, and dental machines.


• Calculate and prepare medications for patients.


• Induce, monitor, and maintain animals under anesthesia.


• Perform admitting and discharge duties for public and shelter animals.


• Assist the veterinarians in surgery or as needed.


• Maintain proper paperwork and medical records as required by law.


• Euthanize and/or assist with the euthanasia of animals as needed.


• Maintain a clean and sanitary work area in all workspaces.


• Maintain a controlled substances log.


• Work vaccination clinics (on and off-site) as needed


• Uphold HSTT values and mission


• Other related duties may be assigned.

Duties when the clinic manager is unavailable:

• Respond to client surgical inquiries and post-surgical complications when the clinic manager is unavailable.


• Ensure the clinic meets industry standards, licensing requirements, and other legal obligations.


• Field medical-related questions and concerns from recent adopters as needed. 


• Coordinate with outside veterinarians for outsourced care as needed.


• Communicate with and educate pet owners as needed.


• Administrative duties for off-site euthanasia services.


• Manage assistants and shelter clinic support staff.


• Oversee outbreak, testing, isolation, decontamination, treatment, and adoption plans.


• Perform population rounds.


• Perform in-shelter euthanasia.


• Provide training for staff on vaccine protocols and administration.


• Other job duties may be assigned as needed.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a highly collaborative environment in an animal shelter or veterinary clinic.


• Knowledge and experience in high quality/high volume spay/neuter surgery techniques, workflow, and pre/post-op processes and demands.


• Understanding the value of humane active population management, capacity for care, herd health, and data-driven decision-making.


• Excellent animal handling skills, including fearful or aggressive animals; Fear Free training and/or certification a plus.


• Effective problem-solving and decision-making abilities and self-motivation with demonstrated ability to work well independently and collaboratively.


• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship-building skills (with internal and external audiences), including excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• Experience using spreadsheets, MS Office and Outlook, shelter management databases, and veterinary practice management systems (Petpoint, preferably).


• A multi-tasker with the ability to wear many hats in a fast-paced environment.


• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, kindness, and dedication to the mission of the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe.


• Ability to lift and carry weights of up to 50 lbs from floor to waist level. Ability to kneel on the floor, bend at the waist, reach forward, and rotate the upper body. Sit/stand for sustained periods of time. Walk on wet or dry surfaces. Work both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions during both daylight and after dark. Frequent exposure to loud noise, odors, and chemicals. Exposure to animals with unknown history and behaviors.

Education and Experience

LICENSE (s) REQUIRED:
A valid Registered Veterinary Technician Certificate issued by the California State Board of Examiners in Veterinary Medicine.

• A minimum of 2 years of experience working as a Registered/Licensed Veterinary Technician


• A minimum of 1 year of shelter experience is preferred but not required


• Experience managing and leading people; ability to connect personally to staff individually and in large groups; capacity to enforce accountability; ability to develop and empower leaders from the bottom up and lead from the top down; strong commitment to follow-through; and high emotional intelligence.

As a valued member of the HSTT family, you’ll receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Paid sick leave.


• Your birthday off.


• Participation in a 401(k) plan.


• Free basic medical care for owned pets, medications and tests at cost.


• Group yoga (when available), office snacks, etc.

COMPENSATION: $26-$30/hour DOE

POSITION: Tuesday, Thursday 7:30 am-3:30 pm weekly schedule, plus occasional vaccine clinics

LOCATION: In shelter

REPORTS TO: Clinic Manager

HSTT provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. 

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.